The efficacy of ketazolam (Solatran) in alleviating the symptoms of short-term reactive or neurotic anxiety in thirty-three patients was examined using a single 30 mg night-time dose in an open study. Patients were to receive treatment for up to 1 month and thereafter as necessary for several months. At the follow-up visits, at the end of the first, second and fourth weeks and then at the end of therapy if continued, the clinical condition was assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and physician's and patients' subjective global assessments. A highly significant improvement was observed after a week's treatment in both somatic and psychic aspects of anxiety. A favourable response as measured by the two subjective assessments was observed in more than 80% of the patients by the third visit. There were two reports of morning tiredness, both dose-related, but no other adverse effects. Only four patients derived no benefit from the treatment.