Anxiolytics nefazodone

Taken together, the efficacy of antidepressants covers the spectrum of anxiety disorders, although there are important differences between drugs in the group (Table 3). Several new antidepressants have been marketed since the SS-RIs venlafaxine and mirtazapine are discussed later (Sects. 3.2.1.2 and 3.2.1.4) nefazodone, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and postsynaptic 5-HT2 blocker showed promise in early studies but was recently withdrawn by its manufacturers reboxetine, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NARI) showed benefits in panic disorder in one published study (Versiani et al. 2002) and further evidence of its anxiolytic efficacy is awaited. 

The MAO inhibitor tranylcypromine is amphetamine-like in structure but interacts only weakly at DA transporters. The phenylpiperazine nefazodone, and to a lesser extent, the structurally related trazodone have weak inhibitory actions on 5-HT transport nefazodone also may have a minor effect on NE transport. This agent also has a prominent direct antagonistic effect at S-HT receptors that may contribute to antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. Both drugs also may inhibit presynaptic 5-HTj subtype autoreceptors to enhance neuronal release of 5-HT, though they probably also exert at least partial-agonist effects on postsynaptic 5-HTj receptors. Trazodone also blocks cerebral and Hj receptors, possibly contributing to its tendency to induce priapism and sedation, respectively. 

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