A double-blind comparative study of desipramine hydrochloride and diazepam in the control of mixed anxiety/depression symptomatology.

The comparative therapeutic effects of desipramine hydrochloride and diazepam on the various symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated in a double-blind, parallel 4 week study of 53 psychoneurotic outpatients who manifested moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety. The median daily dose for the desipramine treated group was 150 mg; for the diazepam treated group, 20 mg. Patients who received desipramine scored significantly better than diazepam treated patients on 26 of the total of 51 variables derived from The Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression, The Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Anxiety, and 2 clinical global impressions. Patients who received diazepam scored significantly better on 1 variable, an item pertaining to sleep.