A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF BUSPIRONE IN DIAZEPAM WITHDRAWAL IN CHRONIC BENZODIAZEPINE USERS

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 23 chronic benzodiazepine users showed that overall, buspirone did not appear to be helpful in alleviating benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Buspirone (5 mg t.d.s) or placebo was administered for four weeks before, during and after diazepam withdrawal. Patients taking buspirone had a markedly higher dropout rate (seven out of 11) than those taking placebo (one out of 12). Mean daily diazepam dosage at entry was significantly higher in the buspirone group, but overall initial diazepam dosage was not related to outcome. Higher subjectively rated anxiety at the start of withdrawal was significantly related to higher dropout rate, irrespective of treatment, and was greater (although not significantly so) in the buspirone group.