Etifoxine

Etifoxine (or etafenoxine) is an anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drug.^[1] It has similar effects to benzodiazepine drugs, but is structurally distinct and so is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic.^[2] It is more effective than lorazepam as an anxiolytic, but has less side effects.^[3]

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Unlike benzodiazepines, etifoxine appears to produce its anxiolytic effects by binding to β2 and β3 subunits of the GABA_A receptor complex, and so is acting at a different target site to benzodiazepines, although the physiological effect that is produced is similar to that of benzodiazepines.^[4] This difference in binding means that etifoxine can be used alongside benzodiazepines to potentiate their effects without competing for binding sites,^[5] however it also means that the effects of etifoxine are not reversed by the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil.^[6]

References

1. ^ Kruse HJ, Kuch H. Etifoxine: evaluation of its anticonvulsant profile in mice in comparison with sodium valproate, phenytoin and clobazam. Arzneimittelforschung. 1985;35(1):133-5.
2. ^ Schlichter R, Rybalchenko V, Poisbeau P, Verleye M, Gillardin J. Modulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission by the non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic etifoxine. Neuropharmacology. 2000 Jul 10;39(9):1523-35.
3. ^ Nguyen N, Fakra E, Pradel V, Jouve E, Alquier C, Le Guern ME, Micallef J, Blin O. Efficacy of etifoxine compared to lorazepam monotherapy in the treatment of patients with adjustment disorders with anxiety: a double-blind controlled study in general practice. Human Psychopharmacology. 2006 Apr;21(3):139-49.
4. ^ Hamon A, Morel A, Hue B, Verleye M, Gillardin JM. The modulatory effects of the anxiolytic etifoxine on GABA(A) receptors are mediated by the beta subunit. Neuropharmacology. 2003 Sep;45(3):293-303.
5. ^ Kruse HJ, Kuch H. Potentiation of clobazam's anticonvulsant activity by etifoxine, a non-benzodiazepine tranquilizer, in mice. Comparison studies with sodium valproate. Arzneimittelforschung. 1986 Sep;36(9):1320-2.
6. ^ Verleye M, Schlichter R, Gillardin JM. Interactions of etifoxine with the chloride channel coupled to the GABA(A) receptor complex. Neuroreport. 1999 Oct 19;10(15):3207-10.

• The Merck Index, 12th Edition. 3910