A multicentre double‐blind placebo‐controlled study investigating the anxiolytic efficacy of hydroxyzine in patients with generalized anxiety

The efficacy of hydroxyzine was investigated in 110 patients suffering from generalized anxiety, in a double‐blind placebo controlled multicentre study. Oral hydroxyzine 50mg/day for four weeks significantly improved standard measurements of anxiety compared with placebo control. These improvements were seen from the end of the first week of treatment and were maintained throughout the study; there was no rebound effect after cessation of therapy. The most commonly reported adverse effect in both active and placebo treatment groups was a transient sleepiness. We conclude that hydroxyzine is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for generalized anxiety.