A recent study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has shown that a high blood pressure drug may help reduce pain and anxiety.
It shows an inhaled form of a high blood pressure medication could help reduce symptoms of panic disorder and pain.
The drug has been used as an oral treatment for decades for hypertension. Recent research has used it as n inhaled spray in treating cystic fibrosis.
Panic disorders usually treated with antidepressants and psychotherapy. Patients may experience shortness of breath and fear when they feel anxiety levels rising.
Previous research has shown that childhood adversity, such as loss of parents, can increase the risk of anxiety disorders, pain, and other health issues.
In the present study, the researchers examined if the blood pressure drug could help ease symptoms of panic disorder.
They found inhaled the drug may provide benefits for people with panic disorder. It could reduce the physical respiratory signs of anxiety and pain in a preclinical model of illness.
The effect occurs when the drug could cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain.
The results suggest that amiloride can be very effective in treating panic disorder.
The team now is launching a pilot clinical trial and testing the drug’s safety.
The study lead author is Dr. Marco Battaglia at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
The research is published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
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