The experience of using agomelatine (Valdoxan) in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder
https://doi.org/10.14412/2074-2711-2025-4-104-109
Abstract
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders worldwide. Without treatment, GAD is characterised by a chronic course and significantly impairs social and occupational functioning. The main method of treating GAD in clinical practice is psychopharmacotherapy. Despite the fact that psychiatrists have a fairly large number of psychotropic drugs at their disposal, which are used in accordance with international and domestic clinical guidelines for the treatment of GAD, a number of therapeutic aspects remained unresolved until recently.
In the updated clinical guidelines, agomelatine, an antidepressant that acts on melatonergic (MT1, MT2) and serotonergic (5-HT2C) receptors, was included among the first-line drugs for the treatment of GAD. The efficacy of agomelatine in treating GAD symptoms has been demonstrated in a number of randomised clinical trials. This article presents our own observations, illustrating some aspects of the use of agomelatine in real clinical practice.
About the Author
V. I. FrolovaRussian Federation
Veronika Igorevna Frolova - Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Pathology, Faculty of Continuing Medical Education, Medical Institute
6, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117198
Competing Interests:
The conflict of interests did not affect the results of the study
References
1. Remes O, Brayne C, van der Linde R, Lafortune L. A systematic review of reviews on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adult populations. Brain Behav. 2016. Jun 5;6(7):e00497. doi: 10.1002/brb3.497
2. Weisberg RB. Overview of generalized anxiety disorder: epidemiology, presentation, and course. J Clin Psychiatry. 2009;70 Suppl 2:4-9.
3. Generalized anxiety disorder. Clinical guidelines. 2024–2026 (19.09.2024). Available at: https://cr.minzdrav.gov.ru/view-cr/457_3 (accessed 24.12.2024) (In Russ.).
4. Neznanov NG, Martynikhin IA, Mosolov SN. Diagnosis and treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Russia: The Results of a Web-based Survey of Psychiatrists. Sovremennaya terapiya psikhicheskikh rasstroystv = Current Therapy of Mental Disorders. 2017;(2):2-13. doi: 10.21265/PSYPH.2017.41.6437 (In Russ.).
5. Kostyukova EG. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Basics of Diagnosis, Therapy and Problems Specific to Russia. Sovremennaya terapiya psikhicheskikh rasstroystv = Current Therapy of Mental Disorders. 2024;(2):23-31. doi: 10.21265/PSYPH.2024.31.31.003 (In Russ.).
6. Medvedev VE. Agomelatine for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Sovremennaya terapiya psikhicheskikh rasstroystv = Current Therapy of Mental Disorders. 2024;(4):55-65. doi: 10.21265/PSYPH.2024.47.73.006 (In Russ.).
7. Mosolov SN, Alfimov PV. Algorithm for biological treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Sovremennaya terapiya psikhicheskikhrasstroystv = Current Therapy of Mental Disorders. 2015;(2):24-8 (In Russ.).
8. Medvedev VE, Kotova OV, Akarachkova ES, et al. Generalized anxiety disorder: anatomical and functional features of the brain. Aviandr – new possibilities of therapy. Sovremennaya terapiya v psikhiatrii i nevrologii = Modern Therapy in Psychiatry and Neurology. 2024;(2):14-20 (In Russ.).
9. Stein DJ, Ahokas AA, de Bodinat C. Efficacy of agomelatine in generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled study. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2008 Oct;28(5):561-6. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e318184ff5b
10. Stein DJ, Ahokas A, Marquez MS, et al. Agomelatine in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: An Active Comparator and PlaceboControlled Study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014;75(4):362-8. doi: 10.4088/JCP.13m08433
11. Stein DJ, Ahokas A, Albarran C, et al Agomelatine prevents relapse in generalized anxiety disorder: a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled discontinuation study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2012 Jul;73(7):1002-8. doi: 10.4088/JCP.11m07493
Review
For citations:
Frolova VI. The experience of using agomelatine (Valdoxan) in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder. Nevrologiya, neiropsikhiatriya, psikhosomatika = Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychosomatics. 2025;17(4):104-109. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.14412/2074-2711-2025-4-104-109