Anticonvulsants in anxiety disorders

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2005 Aug;7(4):258-67. doi: 10.1007/s11920-005-0079-3.

Abstract

Anticonvulsant drugs have shown promising results in the treatment of mood disorders, leading to the investigation of their potential efficacy in other psychiatric disorders. Numerous case reports, open-label trials, and placebo- controlled trials investigating the use of anticonvulsants in the treatment of anxiety disorders have yielded broad and varying results. Generally, these studies have indicated a potential role for anticonvulsants in the treatment of anxiety as monotherapy or augmentation therapy; however, these early findings must be supported by additional investigation in large-scale, placebo-controlled studies. This article reviews past and current research being done in this novel area of psychopharmacology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants