Buspirone: Independent Evidence on Anxiety (GAD), Side Effects & Interactions
Buspirone (BuSpar): what independent reviews show for generalised anxiety, why it is slow and non-sedating, CYP3A4 interactions, safety and who funds the evidence.
Stress, Anxiety & Depression
Independent research on stress, anxiety and depression — supplement and lifestyle claims graded honestly, with funding and conflicts made transparent.
Lorazepam (Ativan): Independent Evidence on Anxiety, Seizures & Withdrawal
Lorazepam (Ativan) is strongly evidenced for stopping status epilepticus but limited to 2–4 weeks for anxiety. Independent evidence on risks, withdrawal and funding.
Alprazolam (Xanax): Independent Evidence on Panic, Anxiety & Withdrawal
Alprazolam (Xanax) eases panic and anxiety fast, but guidelines limit it to crises. Independent evidence on benefits, dependence, withdrawal, misuse and who funds it.
Nortriptyline: Independent Evidence on Depression, Nerve Pain, Smoking & Risks
Independent review of nortriptyline: depression and late-life relapse evidence, off-label smoking cessation, weak nerve-pain data, overdose risk and blood levels.
Agomelatine: Independent Evidence on Depression, Sleep, Liver Risk & Withdrawal
Independent review of agomelatine (Valdoxan): small benefit over placebo, good tolerability, unpublished trials, liver-test rules and who funded the evidence.
Vortioxetine: Independent Evidence on Depression, Cognition Claims, Side Effects
Vortioxetine (Brintellix/Trintellix) beats placebo modestly but is not proven better than older antidepressants; its cognitive claims rest on maker-funded trials.
Venlafaxine: Independent Evidence on Depression, GAD, Side Effects & Withdrawal
Venlafaxine (Effexor) works for depression and anxiety, but independent evidence flags blood pressure rises, hard withdrawal and higher overdose toxicity.
Trazodone: Independent Evidence on Depression, Sleep, Side Effects & Withdrawal
Trazodone is licensed for depression but mostly prescribed off-label for sleep. Independent evidence on benefits, falls, priapism, withdrawal and funding.
Pregabalin: Independent Evidence on Pain, Anxiety, Side Effects & Withdrawal
Pregabalin (Lyrica) helps a minority with nerve pain, focal epilepsy or GAD, but misuse, dependence and breathing risks with opioids made it a UK controlled drug.
Paroxetine: Independent Evidence on Uses, Side Effects & Withdrawal
Paroxetine (Seroxat/Paxil) helps adult depression and anxiety short term, but has hard withdrawal, pregnancy and tamoxifen warnings, and the Study 329 history.