| Note |
The clinical study brought closer to your experience. Results of a "small scale" study of Valium (diazepam) and placebo. Sixe patients (3 men and 3 women) with prominent, persistent, high levels of anxiety (Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale scores above 25) received Valium (diazepam) and placebo under double-blind conditions for six treatment periods of three days each, with a drug-free day between periods. Two dosage levels of Valium, 5 mg and 10 mg t.i.d., and placebo were each administered for two periods. Three methods of rating were employed in this study: physician's rating of symptoms, patient's self-rating, and patient's drug preference. Each patient's three main target symptoms were identified and rated by the physician initially and after each visit. Valium, at both dosage levels, gave higher physician ratings of symptom improvement than placebo, although the changes did not reach statistical significance. The six patients rated their own symptoms in order of severity at the initial interview and graded them daily as to the degree of improvement. In the patient's self-rating changes, both dosage levels of Valium gave higher ratings of improvement than placebo. Also, patients' perference recorded at the end of each week of the trial revealed that Valium (both dosage levels was preferred over placebo to a significant degree. "Small scale" drug trials use methods of observation and patient management similar to those you use in you practive. The physician-investigator assessed Valium (diazepam) just as you might. He treated a small number of persistently anxious patients. He saw them frequently, supporting them, and rated changes in symptoms and had his patients do likewise. He noted that patient's preference for one medication over another. He found that Valium was effective, just as others have in larger, conventional studies, and just as you can find in your practice. If you have not prescribed Valium, select a few overly anxious, psychoneurotic patients with or without associated or secondary depressive symptoms, and give Valium a trial of your own. You'll find it can significantly reduce anxiety and thus may facilitate psychotherapy and make patients more comfortable. Caution patients on Valium against driving or operating machinery. Side effects most commonly reported have been drowsiness, fatigue and ataxia. |
