Abstract
Introduction: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonine reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) together with pregabalin are actually considered by international guidelines as the first-line choice for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment. However, 50% of GAD patients have poor response to first-line treatments and different molecules, such as atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, have been used for treating this condition. Purpose of the present article is to provide an overview of the most recent pharmacological approaches for the treatment of GAD and the rationale for their use. Areas covered: A research in the main database sources has been conducted to obtain an overview of the new pharmacological approaches in GAD (anticonvulsants, atypical antipsychotics, agomelatine, memantine, ondansetron and riluzole). Expert opinion: Among unlabelled molecules, quetiapine seems to have the most robust evidence of efficacy in GAD. Valproic acid and agomelatine appear to be effective in GAD patients, but the data are preliminary and need to be confirmed by future studies. Quetiapine is a promising molecule for GAD treatment but its use would be complicated by long-term metabolic side effects. Future research will have the objective to find more targeted molecules for the treatment of this disorder in light of its specific etiology.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 175-184 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2013 |
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Keywords
- Antipsychotics
- Atypical
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Pharmacotherapy
- Unmet needs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology (medical)
- Pharmacology
Cite this
New approaches to the pharmacological management of generalized anxiety disorder. / Buoli, Massimiliano; Caldiroli, Alice; Caletti, Elisabetta; Paoli, Riccardo Augusto; Altamura, Alfredo Carlo.
In: Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, Vol. 14, No. 2, 02.2013, p. 175-184.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - New approaches to the pharmacological management of generalized anxiety disorder
AU - Buoli, Massimiliano
AU - Caldiroli, Alice
AU - Caletti, Elisabetta
AU - Paoli, Riccardo Augusto
AU - Altamura, Alfredo Carlo
PY - 2013/2
Y1 - 2013/2
N2 - Introduction: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonine reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) together with pregabalin are actually considered by international guidelines as the first-line choice for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment. However, 50% of GAD patients have poor response to first-line treatments and different molecules, such as atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, have been used for treating this condition. Purpose of the present article is to provide an overview of the most recent pharmacological approaches for the treatment of GAD and the rationale for their use. Areas covered: A research in the main database sources has been conducted to obtain an overview of the new pharmacological approaches in GAD (anticonvulsants, atypical antipsychotics, agomelatine, memantine, ondansetron and riluzole). Expert opinion: Among unlabelled molecules, quetiapine seems to have the most robust evidence of efficacy in GAD. Valproic acid and agomelatine appear to be effective in GAD patients, but the data are preliminary and need to be confirmed by future studies. Quetiapine is a promising molecule for GAD treatment but its use would be complicated by long-term metabolic side effects. Future research will have the objective to find more targeted molecules for the treatment of this disorder in light of its specific etiology.
AB - Introduction: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonine reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) together with pregabalin are actually considered by international guidelines as the first-line choice for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment. However, 50% of GAD patients have poor response to first-line treatments and different molecules, such as atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, have been used for treating this condition. Purpose of the present article is to provide an overview of the most recent pharmacological approaches for the treatment of GAD and the rationale for their use. Areas covered: A research in the main database sources has been conducted to obtain an overview of the new pharmacological approaches in GAD (anticonvulsants, atypical antipsychotics, agomelatine, memantine, ondansetron and riluzole). Expert opinion: Among unlabelled molecules, quetiapine seems to have the most robust evidence of efficacy in GAD. Valproic acid and agomelatine appear to be effective in GAD patients, but the data are preliminary and need to be confirmed by future studies. Quetiapine is a promising molecule for GAD treatment but its use would be complicated by long-term metabolic side effects. Future research will have the objective to find more targeted molecules for the treatment of this disorder in light of its specific etiology.
KW - Antipsychotics
KW - Atypical
KW - Generalized anxiety disorder
KW - Pharmacotherapy
KW - Unmet needs
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84872714544&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1517/14656566.2013.759559
DO - 10.1517/14656566.2013.759559
M3 - Article
C2 - 23282069
AN - SCOPUS:84872714544
VL - 14
SP - 175
EP - 184
JO - Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
JF - Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
SN - 1465-6566
IS - 2
ER -