Pagoclone is a new cyclopyrrolone partial agonist. In animal models of antianxiety activity, pagoclone is more potent than benzodiazepines, is less sedating, and has a high therapeutic index (Table 29–1). In clinical studies, pagoclone is well tolerated and does not appear to cause sedation or affect psychomotor or cognitive performance. In studies of volunteers, it has been shown that it does not cause withdrawal symptoms on abrupt discontinuation after 14 days. These factors all suggest that pagoclone may be an important drug for the future. It is currently entering dose-ranging and comparative studies involving patients with anxiety disorders, and in a pilot crossover study, it reduced panic attacks; adverse effects were not different from or more numerous than those reported with placebo (Sandford et al. 1998).
