Buspirone
Buspirone
Buspirone is the first antianxiety drug in a class of drugs known as azaspirodecanedione derivatives. This drug’s structure and mechanism of action differ from those of other antianxiety drugs.
Advantage, buspirone
Buspirone has several advantages, including:
- less sedation
- no increase in CNS depressant effects when taken with alcohol or sedative-hypnotics
- lower abuse potential.
Pharmacokinetics
Buspirone is absorbed rapidly, undergoes extensive first-pass effect, and is metabolized in the liver to at least one active metabolite. The drug is eliminated in urine and stool.
Pharmacodynamics
Although the mechanism of action of buspirone isn’t known, it’s known that buspirone doesn’t affect GABA receptors like the benzodiazepines do.
Warning!Adverse reactions to buspirone
The most common reactions to buspirone include:
- dizziness
- light-headedness
- insomnia
- rapid heart rate
- palpitations
- headache.
Midbrain modulator
Buspirone seems to produce various effects in the midbrain and acts as a midbrain modulator, possibly due to its high affinity for serotonin receptors.
Pharmacotherapeutics
Buspirone is used to treat generalized anxiety states. Patients who haven’t received benzodiazepines seem to respond better to bu-spirone.
In case of panic
Because of its slow onset of action, buspirone is ineffective when quick relief from anxiety is needed.
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Antidepressant and mood stabilizer drugs
Antidepressant and mood stabilizer drugs are used to treat affective disorders’disturbances in mood, characterized by depression or elation.
Pole positions
Unipolar disorders, characterized by periods of clinical depression, are treated with:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- MAOIs
- TCAs
- miscellaneous antidepressants.
Bipolar disorders, characterized by alternating periods of manic behavior and clinical depression, are treated with lithium and anticonvulsant drugs.
Other mood stabilizers include divalproex, carbamazepine, and olanzapine.
Putting a new stress on SSRIs
The Food and Drug Administration approved sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) as the drugs of choice for treating posttraumatic stress disorder. In order for these drugs to be used, the patient must have symptoms, such as intense fear, helplessness, and horror that exist for at least 1 month and cause significant impaired functioning.
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