BUSPIRON

Abstract

In this article we review the pharmacological profile and the clinical effects of buspirone. Buspirone differs from the benzodiazepines and other psychopharmaca in both chemical structure and pharmacological properties. In the Netherlands, buspirone is registered as an anxiolytic agent and used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders, as are the benzodiazepines. Neuropharmacological research shows that buspirone binds to serotonergic 1A receptors and to presynaptic dopaminergic receptors. Behavioural findings with buspirone have revealed that its anxiolytic activity is fundamentally different from those of other commonly prescribed anxiolytics. Buspirone is as effective as benzodiazepines in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders. It has a delayed onset of action with significant anxiolytic activity appearing only two weeks after that in benzodiazepines. After long-term treatment with benzodiazepines buspirone seems less effective. The side-effects of buspirone are very different from those of the benzodiazepines.