Neuroendocrine effects of buspirone in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

This study investigated a therapeutic regimen of buspirone, a new anxioselective drug, in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The single-blind study, conducted in 23 outpatients, consisted of 28 days of buspirone treatment followed by four days of placebo treatment. Patients received a single 10-mg dose of buspirone on study day one, which was titrated to 10 mg three times daily by study day seven and which remained at 10 mg three times daily through study day 28. Blood samples were drawn on days one, 14, 28, and 32 for determination of plasma levels of prolactin, growth hormone, and cortisol. The therapeutic effect of buspirone was assessed by standard psychometric rating scales. When titrated to a total daily dose of 30 mg per day (10 mg three times daily), buspirone provided effective antianxiety therapy and had no significant effect on plasma levels of prolactin, growth hormone, or cortisol.