Tiagabine in anxiety disorders

Abstract

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.

Keywords::

• anxiety
• GABA
• selective GABA reuptake inhibitor
• SGRI
• tiagabine

Disclosure

Dr Schwartz and Dr Nihalani have received research grants from Cephalon, Cyberonics, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Forest Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Dr Schwartz has received honoraria as a speaker for these companies, as well as GlaxoSmithKline., Astra-Zeneca, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Wyeth, PsychCME and Neuroscience Education Institute Inc. Neither author has received financial funding for composing this manuscript.

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