| Abstrakt: |
The mainstay of drug treatment of non-psychotic anxiety is the benzodiazepine group of drugs, but major side-effects are sedation and dose-related psychomotor, cognitive and memory impairments. However, tolerance to sedation-related side-effects usually develops, although not to the anxiolytic effects. Buspirone, an azaspiro-decane-dione, is the first FDA-approved non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic. Anxiolytic efficacy similar to the benzodiazepines has been established, although the onset of effect is more gradual. Infrequent side-effects are dizziness, nausea, headaches, nervousness and lightheadedness; but it would appear to cause sedation, memory effects or physical dependence. In a double-blind prospective study to compare buspirone to clorazepate, withdrawal effects occurred with the latter but not with the former. In formulating treatment strategies for anxiety and panic disorders, consideration should be given to the duration of symptoms and likely duration of therapy, and anxiolytics should be titrated to the lowest possible dose consistent with maximal relief of anxiety and the least adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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