This is a list of investigational generalized anxiety disorder drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) but are not yet approved.

Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) – Mechanism of Action [Reference]".

This list was last comprehensively updated in September 2025. It is likely to become outdated with time.

Under development Phase 3 Gepirone (Ariza; BMY-13805; Exxua; Gepirone ER; MJ-13805; Org-33062; TGFK-07AD; TGFK07AD; Travivo; Variza) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD; lysergide; MM-120; MM120) – non-selective serotonin receptor agonist and psychedelic hallucinogen Toludesvenlafaxine extended release (4-methylbenzoate desvenlafaxine; ansofaxine; desvenlafaxine prodrug; LPM-570065; LY-03005; Ruoxinlin) – serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI) Vilazodone (EMD-68843; SB-659746A; Viibryd) – serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist

Phase 2/3 Ulotaront (SEP-363856; SEP-856) – trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonist and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist

Phase 2 Desmethylcariprazine prodrug (ABBV-932; RGH-932) – dopamine D2 and D3 receptor partial agonist and other actions ENX-102 (ENX102) — α2, α3, and α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine FKW-00GA (FKW00GA; TGW-00AA; TGW00AA) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist and serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist Lumateperone deuterated (ITI-1284) – atypical antipsychotic (non-selective monoamine receptor modulator ONO-1110 – endocannabinoid synthesis regulator and indirect cannabinoid receptor modulator TGFK-08AA (TGFK08AA) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor modulator Vortioxetine (Brintellix; Lu-AA21004; Trintellix; Vortidif) – serotonin reuptake inhibitor, serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor agonist, and serotonin 5-HT1D, 5-HT3, and 5-HT7 receptor antagonist

Phase 1/2 Non-racemic MDMA (AM-1002; 90% (R)-MDMA, 10% (S)-MDMA) – serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine releasing agent, weak serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C receptor agonist, entactogen, and weak psychedelic hallucinogen PT-00114 (PT100114; TCAP-1) – corticotropin-releasing hormone inhibitor

Phase 1 NTX-1955 (RO-7308480) – γ1 subunit-containing GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator SPT-320 (LYT-320) – agomelatine prodrug (melatonin receptor agonist and weak serotonin 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist)

Preclinical Duloxetine oral liquid – serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) Generalised anxiety disorder therapeutic - SIMR Biotech – undefined mechanism of action OV-4041 – potassium–chloride cotransporter agonist XYL-3001 (PSYLO-3001) – serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist and non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogen

Phase unknown Oxybutynin controlled release – non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist

Not under development Preregistration submission withdrawal Quetiapine (FK-949; FK949; ICI-204636; Seroquel; Seroquel XL; Seroquel XR) – atypical antipsychotic (non-selective monoamine receptor modulator)

Suspended Agomelatine (AGO-178; AGO178; Alodil; Melitor; S-20098; Thymanax; Valdoxan; Vestin) – melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptor agonist and weak serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonist

No development reported Guanfacine extended release (Connexyn; Intuniv; Intuniv XR; S-877503; SHP-503; SPD-503) – α2-adrenergic receptor agonist Riluzole sublingual (BHV-0223; Nurtec) – various actions Sertraline (Aremis; Besitran; CP-51974; Gladem; Lustral; Serad; Serlain; Tatig; Zoloft) – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Discontinued Amibegron (SR-58611; SR-58611A) – β3-adrenergic receptor agonist BTG-1640 (ABIO-08/01; ABIO-0801) – undefined mechanism of action Darigabat (CVL-865; PF-06372865; PF-6372865) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator Imagabalin (PD-0332334; PD-332334; PF-00195889) – α2δ subunit-containing voltage-gated calcium channel ligand Naluzotan (PRX-00023) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist and sigma σ1 receptor agonist Ocinaplon (CL-273547) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/pyrazolopyrimidine Pagoclone (IP-456; Panex; RP-62955) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/cyclopyrrolone PF-572778 – undefined mechanism of action Rufinamide (Banzel; CGP-33101; E-2080; Inovelon; RUF-331; SYN-111) – sodium channel blocker and other actions Talaglumetad (LY-544344) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptor agonist (eglumetad prodrug) Tedatioxetine (Lu-AA24530) – serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI), serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, and α1A-adrenergic receptor antagonist

Clinically used drugs Approved drugs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Escitalopram (Cipralex; Entact; Lexapro; LU-26054; MLD-55; (S)-citalopram; Seroplex; Sipralex; Sipralexa) – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Paroxetine (Aropax; BRL-29060; Deroxat; Divarius; FG-7051; Frosinor; Motivan; NNC-207051; Paxil; Seroxat; SI-211103; Tagonis) – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Paroxetine (Dropax; Dropaxin; Serestill) – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Duloxetine (Ariclaim; Cymbalta; LY-227942; LY-248686; Xeristar; Yentreve) – serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) Venlafaxine (Dobupal; Efexor XR; Effexor; Effexor XR; Elafax; WY-45030; WY-45651; WY-45655) – serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)

Azapirones (serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonists) Buspirone (Buspar) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist and other actions Tandospirone (metanopirone; Sediel; SM-3997) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist

GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators Alpidem (Ananxyl; SL800342; SL-800342) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/imidazopyridine – discontinued/withdrawn due to toxicity Alprazolam (Xanax) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and benzodiazepine

Other drugs Opipramol (Ensidon; G-33040; Insidon; Nisidana) – tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) (non-selective monoamine receptor modulator and other actions) Pregabalin (CI-1008; isobutylgaba; Lyrica; PD-144723) – gabapentinoid (α2δ subunit-containing voltage-gated calcium channel ligand)

Off-label drugs α2-Adrenergic receptor agonists (e.g., guanfacine) Atypical antipsychotics (non-selective monoamine receptor modulators) (e.g., aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, ziprasidone) Benzodiazepines (GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators) (e.g., chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam) Beta blockers (β-adrenergic receptor antagonists) (e.g., propranolol) Gabapentinoids (α2δ subunit-containing voltage-gated calcium channel ligands) (e.g., gabapentin, gabapentin enacarbil) GABA reuptake inhibitors (e.g., tiagabine) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., esketamine, ketamine) Nonbenzodiazepines/Z-drugs (GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators) (e.g., eszopiclone) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline) Serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) (e.g., trazodone, nefazodone) Serotonin modulators and stimulators (SMSs) (e.g., vilazodone, vortioxetine) Tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs) (e.g., mirtazapine) Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine) Others (e.g., agomelatine, bupropion, hydroxyzine)

See also Lists of investigational drugs List of investigational anxiety disorder drugs List of investigational social anxiety disorder drugs List of investigational panic disorder drugs List of investigational post-traumatic stress disorder drugs

References

External links AdisInsight - Springer