Benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytics.

A review of anxiolytic drugs is presented, including ethyl alcohol, barbiturates, diphenylmethane derivatives, glycerol and propanediol derivatives, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Focus on the benzodiazepines and their metabolism and method of action follows. The newest two groups are then reviewed: triazolobenzodiazepines and azaspirodecanediones. The first member of this latter group, buspirone, is then reviewed in detail including the author's personal studies of the drug. The fact that it appears nonaddicting, nonsynergistic with alcohol, lacks impairment of driving-related skills, and is very effective in treating anxiety, may represent a breakthrough.