Serzone Treatment for Anxiety Disorder

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 18 percent of American adults suffer from an anxiety disorder each year. Medications such as Serzone (nefazodone) are an option available for treating anxiety disorders.

Uses

Serzone is primarily used to treat depression. It may also be prescribed off-label for treating anxiety.

Function

Serozone increases levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain by blocking reuptake. Low levels of these two neurotransmitters are associated with anxiety.

Efficacy

According to Van Ameringen and colleagues at McMaster University, individuals taking Serzone for treating social phobia showed improvement over the course of a few months. Clinical trials by Hidalgo and colleagues at Duke University Medical Center showed favorable results for Serzone with treating PTSD.

Anxiolytics

Serzone may be taken with benzodiazepines, a class of antianxiety medications that includes Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). Unlike benzodiazepines, Serzone does not appear to have a significant risk of abuse.

Side Effects

Common side effects include headache, hypotension, dry mouth, nausea, constiptation, thirst, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, lightheadedness and confusion.

Warning

Liver failure may result from taking Serzone. Warning signs include jaundice, gastrointestinal disturbances, anorexia and malaise.

References

• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Serzone Prescribing Information
• The Anxiety Community; Medication: Serzone
• McMaster University Dept of Psychiatry Behavioral Neurosciences; Nefazodone in Social Phobia