Life Science Encyclopedia

Ocinaplon is an anxiolytic drug in the pyrazolopyrimidine family of drugs. Other pyrazolopyrimidine drugs include zaleplon and indiplon.

Ocinaplon has a similar pharmacological profile to the benzodiazepine family of drugs, but with mainly anxiolytic properties and relatively little sedative or amnestic effect.^[1]

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action by which ocinaplon produces its anxiolytic effects is by modulating GABA_A receptors,^[2] although ocinaplon is more subtype-selective than most benzodiazepines.^[3]

Availability

Development of ocinaplon is discontinued ue to liver complications that occurred in one of the Phase III subjects. ^[4] However new compounds are under preclinical pipeline. ^[5]

References

1. ^ Lippa A, Czobor P, Stark J, Beer B, Kostakis E, Gravielle M, Bandyopadhyay S, Russek SJ, Gibbs TT, Farb DH, Skolnick P. Selective anxiolysis produced by ocinaplon, a GABA(A) receptor modulator. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 May 17;102(20):7380-5.
2. ^ Mirza NR, Rodgers RJ, Mathiasen LS. Comparative cue generalization profiles of L-838, 417, SL651498, zolpidem, CL218,872, ocinaplon, bretazenil, zopiclone, and various benzodiazepines in chlordiazepoxide and zolpidem drug discrimination. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2006 Mar;316(3):1291-9.
3. ^ Atack JR. The benzodiazepine binding site of GABA(A) receptors as a target for the development of novel anxiolytics. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2005 May;14(5):601-18.
4. ^ http://www.anxietyinsights.info/dov_pharmaceuticals_discontinues_development_of_ocinaplon_fo.htm
5. ^ www.dovpharm.com/sub_page/products_body.html