Cognitive, psychomotor and actual driving performance in healthy volunteers after immediate and extended release formulations of alprazolam 1 mg.
Psychopharmacology (Berl)
; 191(4): 951-9, 2007 May.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17219217
RATIONALE: Alprazolam extended-release (XR) is approved for the treatment of panic disorder. This sustained formulation is absorbed in a delayed manner and is therefore expected to produce fewer and less severe side effects than its immediate release equivalent (alprazolam IR). The effect of alprazolam XR on potentially dangerous daily activities, such as driving a car, is expected to be less as compared to alprazolam IR. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to compare the effects of alprazolam XR (1 mg) and alprazolam IR (1 mg) on actual driving ability and cognitive function. METHOD: Eighteen healthy volunteers (aged 20-45 years) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover study. At 4 h post-dose, subjects performed a standardized driving test on a primary highway in normal traffic. Cognitive and psychomotor tests were assessed 1, 2.5, and 5.5 h post-dose. Memory functioning was measured only 1 h after administration. RESULTS: Both formulations severely impaired driving performance between 4 and 5 h after administration. The magnitude of impairment in the driving test observed with alprazolam XR was about half that observed with alprazolam IR. Laboratory test results were in line with the driving data. CONCLUSIONS: The acute impairing effects of alprazolam XR 1 mg on driving and psychomotor functions were generally less, as compared to its immediate-release equivalent, but still of sufficient magnitude to increase the risk of becoming involved in traffic accidents.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Desempeño Psicomotor
/
Conducción de Automóvil
/
Ansiolíticos
/
Alprazolam
/
Cognición
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Psychopharmacology (Berl)
Año:
2007
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Países Bajos
Pais de publicación:
Alemania