Abecarnil Explained

Abecarnil (ZK-112,119) is an anxiolytic drug from the β-Carboline family. It is one of a relatively recently developed class of medicines known as the nonbenzodiazepines, which have similar effects to the older benzodiazepine group, but with quite different chemical structures. It is a partial agonist acting selectively at the benzodiazepine site of the GABA_A receptor.^[1]

Abecarnil was originally developed as an anti-anxiety drug, but has not as yet been commercially developed for use in humans, instead so far mainly being used for research into the development of other new sedative and anxiolytic drugs. Investigations are continuing into its actions and it looks likely to be developed for use both in the treatment of anxiety,^[2] and as a less addictive substitute drug for the treatment of benzodiazepine^[3] and alcohol^[4] addiction. Abecarnil may also have fewer problems of tolerance and withdrawal problems compared to nonselective full agonist benzodiazepine acting drugs.^[5]

Abecarnil is a relatively subtype-selective drug which produces primarily anxiolytic effects, with comparatively less sedative or muscle relaxant properties,^{[6] [7]} and does not significantly potentiate the effects of alcohol.^[8]

The abuse potential of abecarnil is thought to be less than that of benzodiazepines,^[9] with only mild withdrawal symptoms noted after abrupt discontinuation of treatment.^[10]

See also

• Benzodiazepine
• Nonbenzodiazepine

Notes and References

1. Ozawa M, Nakada Y, Sugimachi K, Yabuuchi F, Akai T, Mizuta E, Kuno S, Yamaguchi M . 6 . Pharmacological characterization of the novel anxiolytic beta-carboline abecarnil in rodents and primates . Japanese Journal of Pharmacology . 64 . 3 . 179–187 . March 1994 . 7912751 . 10.1254/jjp.64.179 . free .
2. Aufdembrinke B . Abecarnil, a new beta-carboline, in the treatment of anxiety disorders . The British Journal of Psychiatry. Supplement . 34 . 34 . 55–63 . 1998 . 9829018 . 10.1192/S0007125000293537 . 24311570 .
3. Pinna G, Galici R, Schneider HH, Stephens DN, Turski L . Alprazolam dependence prevented by substituting with the beta-carboline abecarnil . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America . 94 . 6 . 2719–2723 . March 1997 . 9122263 . 20156 . 10.1073/pnas.94.6.2719 . free . 1997PNAS...94.2719P .
4. Jung ME, Wallis CJ, Gatch MB, Lal H . Abecarnil and alprazolam reverse anxiety-like behaviors induced by ethanol withdrawal . Alcohol . 21 . 2 . 161–168 . June 2000 . 10963939 . 10.1016/S0741-8329(00)00079-3 .
5. Löscher W, Hönack D . Withdrawal precipitation by benzodiazepine receptor antagonists in dogs chronically treated with diazepam or the novel anxiolytic and anticonvulsant beta-carboline abecarnil . Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology . 345 . 4 . 452–460 . April 1992 . 1352384 . 10.1007/BF00176624 . 20486955 .
6. Krause W, Schütt B, Duka T . Pharmacokinetics and acute toleration of the beta-carboline derivative abecarnil in man . Arzneimittel-Forschung . 40 . 5 . 529–532 . May 1990 . 1974428 .
7. Duka T, Schütt B, Krause W, Dorow R, McDonald S, Fichte K . Human studies on abecarnil a new beta-carboline anxiolytic: safety, tolerability and preliminary pharmacological profile . British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology . 35 . 4 . 386–394 . April 1993 . 8097921 . 1381549 . 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1993.tb04155.x .
8. Stephens DN, Schneider HH, Kehr W, Andrews JS, Rettig KJ, Turski L, Schmiechen R, Turner JD, Jensen LH, Petersen EN . 6 . Abecarnil, a metabolically stable, anxioselective beta-carboline acting at benzodiazepine receptors . The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics . 253 . 1 . 334–343 . April 1990 . 1970361 .
9. Sannerud CA, Ator NA, Griffiths RR . Behavioral pharmacology of abecarnil in baboons: self-injection, drug discrimination and physical dependence . Behavioural Pharmacology . 3 . 5 . 507–516 . October 1992 . 11224153 . 10.1097/00008877-199210000-00009 . 32081258 .
10. Ballenger JC, McDonald S, Noyes R, Rickels K, Sussman N, Woods S, Patin J, Singer J . 6 . The first double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a partial benzodiazepine agonist abecarnil (ZK 112-119) in generalized anxiety disorder . Psychopharmacology Bulletin . 27 . 2 . 171–179 . 1991 . 1681563 .