Effects of alprazolam, alone and in combination with ethanol, on psychomotor and cognitive performance were studied in healthy
male volunteers and compared to effects of diazepam.
Alprazolam 2 mg produced relatively long-lasting impairments on tests of tracking, verbal and nonverbal information processing,
and memory, and decreased blood pressure without a change in heart rate or plasma norepinephrine levels.
Although ethanol consumption was demonstrated to produce additive decrements in performance on certain tasks, there was little
evidence to support a synergistic effect. Alprazolam 2 mg was accompanied by increased selfreports of side effects, especially
drowsiness.
Low dose alprazolam, diazepam, and ethanol produced significantly fewer side effects than 2 mg alprazolam, but significantly
more than placebo.
Key words Benzodiazepines - Ethanol - Psychomotor - Cognition - Drug interaction