Benzoctamine and Chlordiazepoxide in Anxiety: Some Predictors of Improvement

Abstract

A multiple regression search analysis was conducted with 76 anxious outpatients treated in a 4 week clinical trial with either benzoctamine 60 mg/day or chlordiazepoxide 60 mg/day.

Better response was predicted:

For benzoctamine, in patients who are less educated, have an adequate occupational adjustment, and are initially higher in anxiety.

For chlordiazepoxide, in patients who are more educated and have a marginal occupational adjustment.

For both drugs, in patients who are black, are diagnosed as anxious rather than anxious-depressed, and are higher in initial depression. A major factor accounting for the differential effectiveness predicted for these 2 anti-anxiety agents was felt to be the large number of sedative side effects reported by patients receiving benzoctamine 60 mg/day.