SummaryA double-blind therapeutic comparison of lorazepam and diazepam was made in 40 out-patients suffering from anxiety neurosis. A variable dosage was used for both drugs, the range being 2 to 6 mg. daily for lorazepam and 10 to 30 mg. daily for diazepam. The criteria of assessment were Hamilton's anxiety scale and global evaluation based on falls in score, as well as improvement in social and occupational handicaps. Both the drugs were found to be comparable in anxiolytic efficacy, but the incidence of central nervous side-effects was significantly less with lorazepam. No adverse effects on haemopoietic, renal or hepatic function were seen with either drug.