title: [Buspirone: pharmacological and clinical properties of the first member of a new anxiolytic drug family].
abstract: Buspirone is a new anxiolytic agent with an original chemical structure. Its activity in doses of 15 to 30 mg per day has been demonstrated in patients presenting with manifestations of generalized anxiety. Its mode of action is still imperfectly known; in animals, it influences several neuromediator systems but does not act on benzodiazepine receptors. Its main pharmacokinetic features are: complete absorption when given orally, short half-life (4 to 8 h), reduced plasma clearance in patients with hepatic cirrhosis or renal impairment and no major interaction with most of the other psychotropic drugs. Controlled clinical studies have provided evidence of its anxiolytic properties; against anxiety symptoms buspirone has proved more effective than placebo and as effective as several reference benzodiazepine derivatives, with a lesser incidence of sedative effects. However, it is not effective in the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Gastrointestinal disorders and moderate headache have been reported in less than 10 p. 100 of the patients treated. Administered acutely, buspirone does not seem to alter cognitive mechanisms. Unlike benzodiazepines, it does not potentiate the effects of alcohol and does not lead to drug-dependence. Its usefulness in panic disorders, anxious-depressive states and obsessional symptoms remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Centre Esquirol, CHU Côte de Nacre, Caen.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bonvalot
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Boulenger
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zarifian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002065:Buspirone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D002065:Buspirone
vernacular_title: La buspirone: propriétés pharmacologiques et cliniques du premier représentant d'une famille nouvelle d'anxiolytiques.