Anxiolytic drugs are used to treat symptoms or conditions such as anxiety. In this article we will learn about a relatively new drug, which has sedative and anxiolytic properties, and which also does not depress the respiratory system: benzoctamine
We will know its composition, its mechanism of action, indications, side effects and studies carried out.
Benzoctamine is a drug with sedative and anxiolytic properties It is a relatively new medication, although its popularity is increasing as it can have anxiolytic and sedative effects comparable to other medications without its potentially fatal respiratory depressant side effects.
It is marketed under the name “Tacitin”. It is a little different from most sedative medications, since in most clinical trials it does not cause respiratory depression, and in reality what it does is stimulate the respiratory system.
Thus, when compared to other sedative and anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepines (such as diazepam), it is a safer medication when it comes to reducing anxiety or calming
However, we must keep in mind that when benzoctamine is administered together with other medications that cause respiratory depression (such as morphine), it can cause an increase in respiratory depression.
Compound
Chemically, benzoctamine It belongs to a group of compounds called dibenzobicyclooctodienes ; It is a tetracyclic compound formed by four rings that are configured three-dimensionally. This structure is closely related to that of the tetracyclic antidepressant maprotiline.
Indications
Benzoctamine is used for the outpatient treatment of patients with anxiety, with the aim of controlling aggression, enuresis, fear and mild social maladjustment in children.
Thus, its main indication is anxiety. The evidence indicates that is as effective as other clinical anxiety medications, such as diazepam The studies are disparate, there are some that suggest that higher doses of benzoctamine than diazepam are needed to produce the same pharmacological effects. However, as we will see, its side effects are partly less dangerous than those of many other sedatives.
In fact, the most important thing about this drug is that produces anxiolytic effects without producing the respiratory depression typical of other sedatives In this way, benzoctamine became an alternative to benzodiazepines, which could also be used in patients with respiratory failure.
On the other hand, benzoctamine can also be used for the treatment of hypertension.
Pharmacokinetics
benzoctamine can be administered orally (in tablets) or intravenously (injected directly into the blood). Thus, the drug becomes 100% available to the body intravenously, and 90% available if administered orally.
When administered orally, the dose is 10 mg three times a day; When intravenous, patients receive benzoctamine at a rate of 5 mg/minute until between 20 and 40 mg are injected.
It is metabolized by the liver, and its elimination half-life (how long it takes for the body to completely eliminate the substance) is between 2 and 3 hours. Its excretion is renal (it is excreted through the kidneys).
Effects
The anxiolytic effects of benzoctamine are similar to those of diazepam (another anxiolytic), but it differs from the latter in that benzoctamine has antagonistic effects on epinephrine and norepinephrine, and even appears to reduce serotonin
Relatively little is known about how it carries out its effects, but studies suggest that the reduction of serotonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine is what (partially) causes the pharmacological and behavioral effects of benzoctamine.
Side effects
Some of the side effects of benzoctamine are: drowsiness, dry mouth, headache and dizziness
Studies
Animal studies have shown how sedative-hypnotic drugs tend to cause dependence in animals; However, it has been shown that benzoctamine does not produce addiction Additionally, other animal studies show how benzoctamine reduces blood pressure through the adrenergic system.
