11-29-2017, 04:12 PM
From Etifoxine's Wikipedia page:
Etifoxine (INN,[2] also known as etafenoxine; trade name Stresam) is an anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drug[3][4] developed by Hoechst in the 1960s.[2] It is sold in approximately 40 countries for anxiety disorders, without the sedation and ataxia associated with benzodiazepine drugs.[5] It has similar anxiolytic effects to benzodiazepine drugs, but is structurally distinct and does not bind to the benzodiazepine receptor.[6] It is as effective as lorazepam as an anxiolytic, but has fewer side effects.[7] Etifoxine is not a scheduled drug in any country in which it is sold and does not cause dependence or tolerance. Etifoxine is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency.
Etifoxine seems to have been mischaracterized in the 1960-70's as a mild or partial benzodiazepine, because of its lack of typical benzodiazepine side effects, like sedation and ataxia. Thus, it was deemed to be noncompetitive with benzodiazepine drugs of the time, like Valium, and not introduced into world markets. Not until the 2000s was it discovered that etifoxine worked through completely different mechanisms, i.e.. GABA(A) beta subtype selectivity and neurosteroid biosynthesis (purported to work through TSPO). Realization of the MOA has led to its investigation in a number of preclinical studies as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectant. Recent publications have chronicled its efficacy as a microglia modulator in models of MS and ICH.
The most common adverse effect is mild drowsiness at initial dosing. It is not associated with any withdrawal syndromes or dependence, and is not scheduled in France. In conclusion, etifoxine shows less adverse effects of anterograde amnesia, sedation, impaired psychomotor performance, and withdrawal syndromes than those of benzodiazepines Etifoxine for Pain Patients with Anxiety[8] A recent (2012) review of etifoxine by the French National Pharmacovigilance Committee determined that etifoxine was safe and continued to provide a favorable alternative to benzodiazepine anxiolytics. Contrary to comments in non-refereed on line journals, the committee found (for a ten-year pharmacovigilance period) that safety concerns were rare or very rare and that the incidence of idiosyncratic hepatic problems were very rare (less than drugs like Lipitor).
Etifoxine (INN,[2] also known as etafenoxine; trade name Stresam) is an anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drug[3][4] developed by Hoechst in the 1960s.[2] It is sold in approximately 40 countries for anxiety disorders, without the sedation and ataxia associated with benzodiazepine drugs.[5] It has similar anxiolytic effects to benzodiazepine drugs, but is structurally distinct and does not bind to the benzodiazepine receptor.[6] It is as effective as lorazepam as an anxiolytic, but has fewer side effects.[7] Etifoxine is not a scheduled drug in any country in which it is sold and does not cause dependence or tolerance. Etifoxine is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency.
Etifoxine seems to have been mischaracterized in the 1960-70's as a mild or partial benzodiazepine, because of its lack of typical benzodiazepine side effects, like sedation and ataxia. Thus, it was deemed to be noncompetitive with benzodiazepine drugs of the time, like Valium, and not introduced into world markets. Not until the 2000s was it discovered that etifoxine worked through completely different mechanisms, i.e.. GABA(A) beta subtype selectivity and neurosteroid biosynthesis (purported to work through TSPO). Realization of the MOA has led to its investigation in a number of preclinical studies as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectant. Recent publications have chronicled its efficacy as a microglia modulator in models of MS and ICH.
The most common adverse effect is mild drowsiness at initial dosing. It is not associated with any withdrawal syndromes or dependence, and is not scheduled in France. In conclusion, etifoxine shows less adverse effects of anterograde amnesia, sedation, impaired psychomotor performance, and withdrawal syndromes than those of benzodiazepines Etifoxine for Pain Patients with Anxiety[8] A recent (2012) review of etifoxine by the French National Pharmacovigilance Committee determined that etifoxine was safe and continued to provide a favorable alternative to benzodiazepine anxiolytics. Contrary to comments in non-refereed on line journals, the committee found (for a ten-year pharmacovigilance period) that safety concerns were rare or very rare and that the incidence of idiosyncratic hepatic problems were very rare (less than drugs like Lipitor).