Naluzotan
Naluzotan
Chemical compound
Naluzotan (INN, USAN; PRX-00023) is a serotonergic drug of the phenylpiperazine class that was under investigation by EPIX Pharmaceuticals Inc for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.[1][2] It acts as a selective and potent 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist,[2][3] readily stimulating prolactin responses,[4] though it has also been found to bind to and activate the σ receptor.[5] Naluzotan was well tolerated in clinical trials,[4] with more patients in the control group dropping out due to adverse effects than in the active group in one study.[2] The most frequently reported side effect was headache in 15% of patients (compared to 10% for placebo).[2] In addition, naluzotan demonstrated significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effects as per the HAM-D and MADRS and the HAM-A, respectively, in some trials,[2] but in others it did not.[6][7] In the end it was not found to be significantly superior enough to placebo and development was stopped.[7]