Azapirone

Azapirones are a class of drugs used as anxiolytics and antipsychotics. They are commonly employed to add on antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Azapirones have shown benefit in general anxiety and augmenting SSRIs in social anxiety and depression. Evidence is not clear for panic disorder and functional gastrointestinal diseases.

Side effects of azapirones may include dizziness, headaches, restlessness, nausea, and diarrhea.

Azapirones have more tolerable adverse effects than many other available anxiolytics, such as benzodiazepines or SSRIs. Unlike benzodiazepines, azapirones lack abuse potential and are not addictive, do not cause cognitive/memory impairment or sedation, and do not appear to induce appreciable tolerance or physical dependence. However, azapirones are considered less effective with slow onset in controlling symptoms.

The azapirones include the following agents:

Tandospirone has also been used to augment antipsychotics in Japan as it improves cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.Buspirone is being investigated for this purpose as well. Gepirone was abandoned after FDA rejection.

...
Wikipedia