Gepirone HydrochlorideProduct ingredient for Gepirone

Gepirone, an azapirone, is a pharmacologic analog of buspirone that acts selectively on the pre- and post-synaptic 5HT_1A receptors. Although earlier clinical trials showed promising results for gepirone, its formulation as an immediate-release tablet necessitates frequent administration due to the short half-lives. It was not until an extended-release formulation of gepirone was made available that gepirone became a potential candidate for a new antidepressant.^1,2,3

Gepirone was approved by the FDA on September 28, 2023, under the brand name EXXUA for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder. It represents a novel class of antidepressants that selectively targets the 5HT_1A receptors, thus possessing a more favorable side effects profile with comparable incidence of sexual dysfunction side effects as that of the placebo.⁶