Abstract

A patented new class of anti-anxiety medications consists of a beta blocker plus an antimuscarinic agent to inhibit the sympathetic and parasympathetic symptoms of anxiety disorders, respectively. The PanX® medications are non-benzodiazepines to address the unmet medical need for fast-acting and effective anxiolytics, without using active ingredients known to produce dependence or addiction. The effects and side effects of compounded Atenolol - Scopolamine HBr were assessed in physician-sponsored studies in psychiatry and pain management settings. A total of 22 patients affected by Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and/or Panic Attack, or acute anxiety conditions (e.g., situational anxiety associated with a medical procedure or Substance Use Disorders) were treated prn with Atenolol 25 mg - Scopolamine HBr 0.2 mg. Eighteen patients (82 percent) were responders to this combination drug approach. The patients perceived a calming effect in less than 30 minutes via oral mucosal delivery or less than 60 minutes by oral ingestion, and the perceived calming effect lasted up to 8 hours. The calming effect was further substantiated using a 0-10 point subjective anxiety score and the “State” anxiety symptom severity was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Instrument (BAI-S). Heart rate and blood pressure were reduced at 1 hour and 4-5 hours, consistent with the effects of a beta blocker.