Comparative bioassay of chlordiazepoxide and amylobarbitone sodium therapies in patients with anxiety states using physiological and clinical measures.

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Abstract
A formal bioassay of sedative drug therapy in 30 patients with anxiety states was undertaken. Preceding the main assay, however, a "staircase" bioassay in 8 patients with anxiety states determined the dose of chlordiazepoxide (Librium) which had an equivalent effect to that of 65 mg of amylobarbitone sodium. The effect was based on a measure of "composite physiological activity" derived from 3 skin conductance variables. Palmar skin resistance was recorded during a standard habituation procedure consisting of a 10 minute rest period followed by 20 identical auditory stimuli occurring at intervals from 45 to 80 seconds. The main bioassay procedure consisted of 5 treatments as follows: amylobarbitone sodium 5Omg 3 times a day; amytobarbitone sodium 100 mg 3 times a day; chlordiazepoxide 7.5 mg 3 times a day; chlordiazepoxide 15 mg 3 times a day; and a placebo. Of the 30 patients each received 3 out of the 5 treatments in a fully balanced randomized incomplete block design, each for 1 week with the double-blind method. The measure of "composite physiological activity" showed highly significant treatment effects allowing calculation of dose-effect curves, equivalent dosages and fiducial limits. Patients rated their daily as well as weekly symptoms. Side effects of the 2 drugs were similar in nature and prevalence. Chlordiazepoxide is a sedative drug with herapeutic value in treating patients with anxiety states similar to that found when using amylobarbitone sodium.