Fabomotizole (INN;[1] brand name Afobazole) is an anxiolytic drug launched in Russia in the early 2000s.
It produces anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects without any sedative or muscle relaxant actions.
[citation needed] Its mechanism of action remains poorly defined however, with GABAergic, NGF- and BDNF-release-promoting, MT1 receptor agonism, MT3 receptor antagonism, and sigma agonism suggested as potential mechanisms.
Fabomotizole was shown to inhibit MAO-A reversibly and there might be also some involvement with serotonin receptors.
[2][3][4][5][6] Clinical trials have shown fabomotizole to be well tolerated and reasonably effective for the treatment of anxiety.