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Review
. 1996 May 15;53(7):2349-53.

Azapirones: an alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety

Affiliations
  • PMID: 8638511
Review

Azapirones: an alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety

R J Cadieux. Am Fam Physician. .

Abstract

The azapirones are a relatively new class of psychotherapeutic drugs with both anxiolytic and antidepressant properties and a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. They represent a significant advance in psychotherapeutic drug development. Buspirone, the only azapirone currently in clinical use, is a partial serotonin agonist with low abuse potential, no sedative effects, no cognitive or psychomotor impairment properties and no significant withdrawal symptoms. It is well-tolerated by elderly patients. Clinical indications for which buspirone is particularly appropriate are chronic anxiety and mixed anxiety/depression states. Buspirone has demonstrated some efficacy in the treatment of a broad range of other serotonin-related disorders.

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