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. 1985;19(Suppl 1):31S–35S. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1985.tb02740.x

The use of benzodiazepines in depression

D A W Johnson
PMCID: PMC1463500  PMID: 2859876

Abstract

1 In clinical practice the benzodiazepines are prescribed almost as frequently as the tricyclic antidepressants for the treatment of depression.

2 The therapeutic effects of the benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants in depression have been compared in only 29 double-blind studies. The antidepressants proved overwhelmingly superior with only one study (alprazolam) even suggesting a possible parity of action.

3 A symptom response analysis failed to show any true antidepressant action for the benzodiazepines.

4 No clear indication for the use of a combination of drugs was revealed, although certain symptoms may show a more rapid response initially with combination therapy.

Keywords: depression, benzodiazepines, alprazolam

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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