Tiagabine in anxiety disorders.
GABA has been implicated in both the aetiology and treatment of anxiety. Tiagabine is currently the only selective GABA reuptake inhibitor available in US markets; it exerts its action via GAT-1 transporter blockade presynaptically, facilitating GABA neurotransmission. Preclinical studies and current human studies suggest tiagabine possesses anxiolytic properties. The anxiolytic properties of tiagabine have also been suggested in a number of case series, open-label studies and placebo-controlled studies in patients with different anxiety disorders. Throughout these studies, tiagabine has been reasonably tolerated; the most commonly reported adverse events include dizziness, headache and nausea. Tiagabine may be a useful addition to currently available drugs for anxiety; however, the data from small open-label investigations remain to be confirmed in larger controlled studies.
Schwartz
Thomas L
TL
Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, USA. schwartzresearch1@yahoo.com
Nihalani
Nikhil
N
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000078308:Tiagabine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
D018755:GABA Agonists; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000078308:Tiagabine