Alprazolam in the treatment of cardiology patients with atypical chest pain and panic disorder.

Ten cardiology chest pain patients without clinical evidence of coronary artery disease and with panic disorder were enrolled in an open label trial of alprazolam. Two dropped out at week 3 because of excessive side effects. The eight study completers showed significant decreases in both Hamilton Anxiety and Hamilton Depression scales by week 2 that remained significant by week 8. On the physician's global impression of change since baseline, all completers were rated at least "much improved." Seven experienced a 50% or greater reduction in panic frequency at week 8 compared to baseline. These results suggest that alprazolam is likely to be of benefit to this patient population.