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Azapirone
any of a class of nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytics of which the prototype is buspirone. They relieve anxiety by acting as partial agonists at the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor (see serotonin agonist). Azapirones produce less sedation than the benzodiazepines, and they seem to lack the abuse potential of these drugs. However, their onset of action is 2 to 3 weeks, and they cannot therefore be used to manage acute or paroxysmal anxiety. Also called azapirodecanedione.
