Azapirones may be less effective than benzodiazepines and we were unable to conclude if azapirones were superior to antidepressants , kava kava or psychotherapy .
Azapirones appeared to be well tolerated .
Azapirones appeared to be useful in the treatment of GAD , particularly for those participants who had not been on a benzodiazepine .
Azapirones may not be superior to benzodiazepines and do not appear as acceptable as benzodiazepines .
Side effects appeared mild and non serious in the azapirone treated group .
Longer term studies are needed to show that azapirones are effective in treating GAD , which is a chronic long-term illness
BACKGROUND Azapirones are a group of drugs that work at the 5-HT1A receptor and are used to treat patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ) .
However , several studies have shown conflicting results .
Whether azapirones are useful as first line treatment in general anxiety disorders still needs to be answered .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and the acceptability of azapirones for the treatment of GAD .
Alprazolam versus buspirone in the treatment of outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder
The efficacy and safety of alprazolam and buspirone for treating  generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ) were compared in a 6-week , double-blind , r and omized ,  placebo-controlled study of 94 out patients . Mean daily doses at the end of the study were 1.9 mg alprazolam and 18.7 mg buspirone . As judged by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale , Hamilton Depression Rating Scale , Physician 's Global Improvement Scale , and other efficacy scales , alprazolam and buspirone were similar in efficacy , but more effective than placebo , for treating anxiety and depression symptoms in these patients . Clinical ly important differences were noted between drugs in the onset of effect , with alprazolam producing rapid and sustained improvement within the first week of treatment and buspirone producing more gradual , continuous improvement throughout the study . Significantly more buspirone-treated than alprazolam-treated patients failed to complete the study , primarily because of side effects or inefficacy . No clinical ly important differences were noted between alprazolam and buspirone in side effects , vital signs , or laboratory test results .  Alprazolam-treated patients most frequently reported central nervous system-related side effects ( drowsiness and sedation ) , while buspirone-treated patients most frequently reported gastrointestinal system-related side effects ( appetite disturbances and abdominal complaints )
Azapirones may be less effective than benzodiazepines and we were unable to conclude if azapirones were superior to antidepressants , kava kava or psychotherapy .
Azapirones appeared to be well tolerated .
Azapirones appeared to be useful in the treatment of GAD , particularly for those participants who had not been on a benzodiazepine .
Azapirones may not be superior to benzodiazepines and do not appear as acceptable as benzodiazepines .
Side effects appeared mild and non serious in the azapirone treated group .
Longer term studies are needed to show that azapirones are effective in treating GAD , which is a chronic long-term illness
BACKGROUND Azapirones are a group of drugs that work at the 5-HT1A receptor and are used to treat patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ) .
However , several studies have shown conflicting results .
Whether azapirones are useful as first line treatment in general anxiety disorders still needs to be answered .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and the acceptability of azapirones for the treatment of GAD .