COMPARISON OF TRIAZOLAM, DIAZEPAM, AND PLACEBO AS OUTPATIENT ORAL PREMEDICATION FOR ENDODONTIC PATIENTS

Triazolam and diazepam were compared as oral antianxiety agents in a r andomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of 79 endodo ntic patients with elevated anxiety regarding endodontic treatment. Pa tients who scored greater than or equal to 10 on the Corah Dental Anxi ety Survey received oral formulations of triazolam (0.25 mg), diazepam (5 mg), or placebo. Before, during, and after the endodontic procedur e, patients completed psychomotor tests and anxiety scales, and were e valuated for 24-h postoperative recall. In comparison with diazepam an d placebo, triazolam was significantly better for decreased anxiety (p < 0.05), impaired cognitive function (p < 0.05), patients' rating of drug effectiveness (p < 0.05), and amnesia to clinical events (p < 0.0 2) and pictures (p < 0.03). Diazepam showed similar trends compared wi th placebo, but to a lesser degree. Diazepam also had a much longer re covery period. No adverse effects were noted with either drug. These f indings suggest that orally administered triazolam (0.25 mg) is a safe and more effective anxiolytic agent than diazepam (5.0 mg) for endodo ntic patients.