EFFECTS OF ALPRAZOLAM ON INCREASES IN HORMONAL AND ANXIETY LEVELS INDUCED BY META-CHLOROPHENYLPIPERAZINE

The effects of alprazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine, on hormonal and b ehavioral responses induced by meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP), a s erotonin receptor agonist, were investigated in 10 healthy men. Alpraz olam (0.5 mg) or placebo was given 1 hour before MCPP (0.5 mg/kg) or p lacebo. Cortisol, prolactin, and growth hormone (GH) release, MCPP and alprazolam plasma levels, anxiety level, and panic symptoms were meas ured over 210 minutes. MCPP was found to increase cortisol, prolactin, GH, and anxiety levels. Alprazolam decreased cortisol and GH levels b ut had no effect on prolactin. When used in combination with MCPP, alp razolam blunted MCPP-induced cortisol and GH release, and it blocked t he anxiogenic effects of MCPP.