Kava-kava extract WS 1490 versus placebo in anxiety disorders--a randomized placebo-controlled 25-week outpatient trial.

Abstract

101 outpatients suffering from anxiety of non-psychotic origin (DSM-III-R criteria: agoraphobia, specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with anxiety) were included in a 25-week multicenter randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial with WS 1490, a special extract of kava-kava. In the main outcome criterion, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), there was a significant superiority of the test drug starting from week 8 on. WS 1490 was also found to be superior with respect to the secondary outcome variables. HAMA subscores somatic and psychic anxiety, Clinical Global Impression, Self-Report Symptom Inventory-90 Items revised, and Adjective Mood Scale. Adverse events were rare and distributed evenly in both groups. These results support WS 1490 as a treatment alternative to tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines in anxiety disorders, with proven long-term efficacy and none of the tolerance problems associated with tricyclics and benzodiazepines.

• Authors: H P Volz, M Kieser
• Journal: Pharmacopsychiatry (Pharmacopsychiatry) Vol. 30 Issue 1 Pg. 1-5 (Jan 1997) ISSN: 0176-3679 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 9065962 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Anxiety Agents
• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Anti-Anxiety Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Anxiety Disorders (drug therapy, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Kava
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Outpatients
• Plant Extracts (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Plants, Medicinal
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Treatment Outcome