Pharmacokinetic evaluation of agomelatine for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder.
BACKGROUND
Preliminary data indicate agomelatine as a promising molecule for both acute and long-term treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).


METHODS
The present review illustrates the pharmacokinetic properties of agomelatine and their implications for the management of GAD patients. A search of the main database sources (Medline, Isi Web of Knowledge and Medscape) was performed in order to obtain a complete and balanced evaluation of agomelatine pharmacokinetics for the treatment of GAD. The word 'agomelatine' was associated with 'pharmacokinetics', 'GAD', 'anxiety' and 'tolerability'. No restriction criteria were established in relation to methodology or year of publication. Only English-language articles were included.


CONCLUSIONS
Short half-life and 1-day administration make agomelatine an interesting molecule for GAD treatment. However, potential interactions with a number of compounds necessitate caution when prescribing and using agomelatine in patients with psychiatric (e.g., alcohol abuse) or medical comorbidities. Further data are necessary to define a precise risk/benefit ratio in special populations such as elderly patients suffering from GAD.
University of Milan, Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy massimiliano.buoli@hotmail.it.
Massimiliano
M
Buoli
Massimo Carlo
MC
Mauri
Alfredo Carlo
AC
Altamura
D000081:Acetamides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D009281:Naphthalenes
D000081:Acetamides; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; C084711:agomelatine; D009281:Naphthalenes
agomelatine; generalised anxiety disorder; pharmacokinetics