High potency benzodiazepines are effective anxiolytic agents that are frequently prescribed for a number of anxiety conditions, including panic disorder. Recent FDA indications for alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder and subsequent company marketing should increase prescription frequency. However, difficulties with discontinuation have made this class of drugs controversial and, along with negative side effect profiles, have led to proposals for additional regulatory actions. Inability to discontinue benzodiazepine treatment exposes the patient to drug associated adverse effects for a longer period of time, and also does not allow the clinician to assess whether the disorder has remitted. Although discontinuation is desirable for these reasons, no well-studied, effective discontinuation procedures exist. We propose to study the efficacy of a psychosocial program for the acute discontinuation of both short half-life (alprazolam) and long half-life (clonazepam) high potency benzodiazepine treatment. Due to the particular difficulties associated with discontinuing benzodiazepine treatment for panic disorder, we will target patients with this disorder. Successful discontinuation in the acute period and long-term maintenance of discontinuation will be examined after treatment with an adaptation of the Albany Panic Control Therapy (PCT), adapted to facilitate benzodiazepine discontinuation (PCT-BD), combined with a conservative taper as usual (TAU) protocol. This program will be compared to a conservative TAU protocol alone, and a progressive muscle relaxation treatment combined with TAU that engages and educates the patient in a manner similar to PCT-BD but without the specific therapeutic procedures. Pending further evaluation, the results may suggest an optimal way to combine high potency benzodiazepine treatment and PCT; that is, initial treatment with benzodiazepines could be followed by a course of PCT specifically designed to assist in discontinuation, and prevent relapse. In addition, this study has the potential of providing important information on newer elements of treatment (e.g., interoceptive exposure) that may be important for maximizing the ability of patients to tolerate uncomfortable withdrawal effects, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of drug discontinuation efforts.
| Otto, Michael W; McHugh, R Kathryn; Simon, Naomi M et al. (2010) Efficacy of CBT for benzodiazepine discontinuation in patients with panic disorder: Further evaluation. Behav Res Ther 48:720-7 |
| Otto, Michael W; O'Cleirigh, Conall M; Pollack, Mark H (2007) Attending to emotional cues for drug abuse: bridging the gap between clinic and home behaviors. Sci Pract Perspect 3:48-56 |
| Otto, Michael W; Safren, Steven A; Pollack, Mark H (2004) Internal cue exposure and the treatment of substance use disorders: lessons from the treatment of panic disorder. J Anxiety Disord 18:69-87 |
