Recent Advances in the Pharmacological Management of Anxiety: From Traditional Medications to Novel Therapeutic Agents

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and the primary cause of disability. The initial objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current pharmacological treatments (both approved and off-label), including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and GABAergic medications (benzodiazepines, pregabalin, and gabapentin), which are widely regarded as first-line pharmacological treatments for anxiety disorders. Investigate potential pharmacotherapeutic medications that are currently under development for the treatment of anxiety disorders in adult patients. The neurotransmitters and pathways that have been examined include psychedelic substances that follow the serotonergic pathway, modulators of the GABAergic system, neuro-steroids, therapies based on cannabinoids, and natural medications. The safety and tolerability of contemporary pharmacological treatments for anxiety disorders have progressed significantly compared to three decades ago. In summary, the progress in Traditional Pharmacological Treatments and new Pharmacotherapies research in anxiety disorders suggests the need for further investigation of these innovative approaches and larger-scale investigations of potential candidates with positive results from smaller trials.