New frontiers in the pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder in adults: an up-to-date comprehensive overview

Introduction: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with scarce functioning and poor quality of life. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are currently first-line treatments, side effects are common and affect treatment compliance in approximately 50% of patients. This review aimed to summarize data on the efficacy of unlabeled molecules for SAD treatment. Areas covered: Research in the main psychiatric databases was conducted (PubMed, PsychINFO, and EMBASE-Ovid) to select studies investigating the efficacy of marketed molecules not labeled for SAD treatment. Expert opinion: Pregabalin at high doses (450–600 mg/day) appears to be a reliable alternative strategy for SAD treatment. Among the SSRIs not labeled for SAD, citalopram showed the most promising results. Quetiapine, levetiracetam, and other antidepressants/serotonergic agents, such as fluoxetine, duloxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclics, mirtazapine, atomoxetine, nefazodone, vilazodone, and buspirone, presented negative, limited, or contrasting results. Data on anticonvulsants, olanzapine, tiagabine, and ketamine were positive, but preliminary. The risk/benefit ratio must be considered in the prescription of unlabeled compounds; treatment with pregabalin may be associated with somnolence and dizziness. Future research may contribute to the identification of targeted molecules for the treatment of this disorder.