Buspirone: effects on prolactin and growth hormone as a function of drug level in generalized anxiety.
Certain evidence suggests that buspirone, a novel nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic, may be a 5-HT1A serotonergic agonist and may antagonize postsynaptic dopaminergic receptors. The latter property raises questions regarding a dyskinesia- or extrapyramidal symptom-inducing potential. We monitored serum prolactin and growth hormone in 10 subjects with generalized anxiety disorder and 10 matched controls before and after 4 weeks of pharmacotherapy. A drug effect upon serotonin-modulated prolactin release or on the tubero-infundibular dopamine axis (prolactin; growth hormone) was negligible at clinically effective dosages of buspirone. Concomitant buspirone levels also failed to demonstrate any significant relationships.
Tollefson
G D
GD
Department of Psychiatry, Ramsey Clinic, St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, MN 55101.
Godes
M
M
Montague-Clouse
J
J
Lancaster
S P
SP
Garvey
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002065:Buspirone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D002065:Buspirone