Review, 1990
Is buspirone an effective treatment for anxiety?
Yes, buspirone works as well as benzodiazepine anxiety medications and significantly better than placebo for generalized anxiety disorder and chronic anxiety. It also has antidepressant effects, and it is safer because it does not cause dependence, though it works more slowly.
What they did
This is a review of clinical trials of buspirone, an anxiety medication. The authors examined evidence from well-controlled studies comparing buspirone's effects to benzodiazepines and placebo for various anxiety and mood disorders.
What they found
Well-controlled clinical trials demonstrated that buspirone's anxiolytic properties were similar to those of various benzodiazepines and significantly better than placebo. Antidepressant effects were also observed. Buspirone seems most appropriate for generalized anxiety disorder, chronic anxiety, anxious elderly patients, and patients with mixed anxiety and depression. Studies in panic disorder have been inconclusive, so it is not recommended for routine panic disorder treatment.
What it means for you
Buspirone is a safe alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety because it does not cause dependence, though relief comes more slowly. It may help people with mixed anxiety and depression. However, it is not effective for panic disorder specifically, and it works best for people who can tolerate gradual improvement rather than immediate relief.
About the study
- Original title
- Buspirone in clinical practice
- Authors
- Rickels K
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical psychiatry
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Buspirone (an anxiety medication).
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2211569/
Topics
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