Publication:

Pharmacological breakthroughs in anxiety management: exploring traditional and emerging therapies

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders and a significant cause of disability. While there is ongoing research into posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and schizophrenia, there is a relative lack of innovative drugs being investigated for anxiety disorders. The first goal of this review is to summarize current pharmacological treatments (both approved and off-label) for panic disorder (PD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and specific phobias (SP), which include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), antipsychotics, alpha- and beta-adrenergic medications (e.g., propranolol, clonidine) and GABAergic medications (benzodiazepines). Second, we will look at new pharmacotherapeutic drugs being investigated for the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults. The pathways and neurotransmitters reviewed include serotonergic agents, glutamate modulators, GABAergic medications, neuropeptides, neurosteroids, alpha- and beta-adrenergic agents and natural remedies.