List of investigational post-traumatic stress disorder drugs

This is a list of investigational post-traumatic stress disorder drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but are not yet approved.

Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) – Mechanism of Action [Reference]".

This list was last comprehensively updated in September 2025. It is likely to become outdated with time.

Under development

Preregistration

• Brexpiprazole (Lu-AF41156; OPC-34712; Rexulti) – atypical antipsychotic (non-selective monoamine receptor modulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800029282
• Midomafetamine (MDMA; Ecstasy) – serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent, weak serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor agonist, and entactogen https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800056202

Phase 3

• Aripiprazole (Abilify; OPC-14597) – atypical antipsychotic (non-selective monoamine receptor modulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800001612
• Cyclobenzaprine (KRL-102; TNX-102; Tonmya) – tricyclic antidepressant (monoamine reuptake inhibitor and monoamine receptor modulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800017946

Phase 2

• 7-Oxoprasterone (7-keto-DHEA; HBL-9001; HL-9001; At-Ease) – undefined mechanism of action (immunomodulator) https://web.archive.org/web/20171022032548/http://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800044736 https://synapse.patsnap.com/drug/4959ecafe9e0460795cfbf27e1e3cdbf
• Amdiglurax (ALTO-100; NSI-189) – unknown mechanism of action (hippocampal neurogenesis stimulant and indirect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800066188 https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800033776
• BI-1358894 – transient receptor potential cation channel TRPC4 and TRPC5 inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800049868
• Cannabidiol (A-1002-N5S; CBD; Nantheia™) – cannabinoid, various actions https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800045903
• CORT-108297 (ADS-108297) – glucocorticoid receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800028115
• Dronabinol (BX-1) – cannabinoid CB₁ and CB₂ receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800053279
• Iloperidone (Fanapt; Fanaptum; Fiapta; HP-873; ILO-522; VYV-683; Zomaril) – atypical antipsychotic (non-selective monoamine receptor modulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800001330
• Ketamine intranasal (Ereska; PMI-100; PMI-150; SLS-002; TUR-002) – NMDA receptor antagonist and dissociative hallucinogen https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800015882
• Lithium cocrystal (AL-001; LiProSal; lithium salicylate/<small>L</small>-proline cocrystal) – undefined mechanism of action and mood stabilizer (improved formulation of lithium) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800058554
• Methylone (MDMC; TSND-201) – serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent and entactogen
• Midomafetamine/citalopram (MDMA/citalopram) – serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent, weak serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor agonist, and entactogen followed by a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
• Psilocybin (COMP-360; COMP360) – non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor agonist, and psychedelic hallucinogen https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800050861
• Psilocybin (MYCO-001, MYCO-003) – non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor agonist, and psychedelic hallucinogen https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800061306
• Soclenicant (BNC-210; IW-2143) – α₇-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800030421
• SRX-246 (API-246) – vasopressin V_1A receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800023656
• Xenon (NBTX-001) – NMDA receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800045102

Phase 1/2

• PT-00114 – corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800049398

Phase 1

• Dexmedetomidine (BXCL-501; Igalmi; KalmPen) – α₂-adrenergic receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800050611
• ENX-205 – dopamine D₂ and D₃ receptor antagonist and serotonin 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800081470
• (R)-Midomafetamine ((R)-MDMA; EMP-01) – serotonin–norepinephrine releasing agent, weak serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor agonist, and entactogen https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800062506
• Mirodenafil (AR-1001) – phosphodiesterase PDE5 inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800045133

Preclinical

• 2-Bromo-LSD (bromolysergide; BOL-148; BETR-001, TD-0148A) – non-hallucinogenic serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor agonist and other actions
• ART-2612 (ART2612) – FABP5 inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800051808
• BMB-202 – serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800071287
• Cycloserine/lurasidone (NRX-101) – combination of cycloserine (NMDA receptor partial agonist) and lurasidone (atypical antipsychotic or non-selective monoamine receptor modulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800042772
• Cyproheptadine/prazosin (KT-110; Periactine/Alpress) – combination of cyproheptadine (H₁ receptor antagonist, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, serotonin receptor antagonist, other actions) and prazosin (α₁-adrenergic receptor antagonist) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800056128
• GM-3009 (ibogaine analogue(s); GMX-3009) – various actions
• Leu-enkephalin (leucine enkephalin; Envelta; METDoloron; NES-100; NM-0127; NM-127; PES200) – δ-opioid receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800046784
• Metyrapone/oxazepam (EMB-001C; EMB-001) – combination of metyrapone (11β-hydroxylase inhibitor, antiglucocorticoid) and oxazepam (GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator, benzodiazepine)
• Midomafetamine microneedle transdermal patch (MDMA; "ecstasy") – serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent, weak serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor agonist, and entactogen
• NB-127 – undefined mechanism of action https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800083682
• NNI-351 – DYRK kinase inhibitor, nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulant https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800029097
• Non-racemic midomafetamine (non-racemic MDMA; AM-1002) – undefined mechanism of action (non-neurotoxic, non-racemic form of MDMA)
• Prabotulinumtoxin A (ABP-450; DWP-450; Evosyal; Jeuveau; Nabota; Nuceiva) – acetylcholine release inhibitor and neuromuscular blocking agent https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800040116
• Research programme: neurotransmitter modulators - Awakn Life Sciences (AWKN-SDN-14) – serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800081180
• TN-001 – non-hallucinogenic serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor partial agonist and serotonin 5-HT_2B receptor antagonist and neuroplastogen

Not under development

Development suspended

• Osanetant (ACER-801; SR-142801; SR-142806) – neurokinin NK₃ receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800006188

No development reported

• Bupropion (amfebutamone; Wellbutrin) – norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor negative allosteric modulator https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800012267
• Elcubragistat (ABX-1431; Lu-AG06466) – monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800042817
• EX-597 (KDS-4103; ORG-231295; URB-597) – fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800022923
• IMM-201 (DAR-901; SRL-172; heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae strain NCTC-11659) – immunomodulator, immunostimulant, and vaccine https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800003849
• Ketamine sublingual (SLS-003; Wafermine) – NMDA receptor antagonist and dissociative hallucinogen https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800040910
• Lanicemine (ARL-15896; ARR-15896; BHV-5500; FPL-15896) – NMDA receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800005269
• Research programme: allosteric modulators - Addex Therapeutics – various actions https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800024111
• Research programme: cannabis extract therapeutics - Cannabis Science https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800031716
• Research programme: cannabinoid-based therapeutics - Axim Biotechnologies (Cannabidiol/Gabapentin; Cannbleph™) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800045266
• Research programme: CNS disorders therapeutics - Sage Therapeutics (SAGE 105; SGE-202; SGE-301; SGE-516) – GABA_A receptor modulators and NMDA receptor modulators https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800035109
• Research programme: psychedelic and empathogenic compounds subcutaneous - Bexson Biomedical – undefined mechanisms of action
• Research programme: serotonin 2A receptor agonists - Bright Minds Biosciences
• Research programme: tryptamine based therapeutics - PsyBio Therapeutics – serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor agonists
• Topiramate (Epitomax; KW-6485; KW-6485P; MCN 4853; RWJ 17021; Topamax; Topimax; Topina) – various actions https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800002416

Discontinued

• Acamprosate controlled-release (SNC-102) – various actions https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800035586
• ALTO-202 – NMDA receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800071558
• Balovaptan (RG-7314; RO-5028442; RO-5285119) – vasopressin V₁ receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800035102
• Carvedilol (Coreg) – α₁-, β₁-, and β₂-adrenergic receptor antagonist and dual alpha/beta blocker https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800004193
• Crinecerfont (Crenessity; NBI-74788; SSR-125543) – corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF₁R) antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800046155
• ENX-105 – dopamine D₂ and D₃ receptor agonist, dopamine D₄ receptor agonist, and serotonin 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800072824
• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800013380
• Ganaxolone (GNX; CCD-1042; Ztalmy) – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator and neurosteroid https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800004287
• JZP-150 (PF-04457845; PF-4457845; PF-’845) – fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800029032
• Nabiximols (tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol; THC/CBD; GW-1000; JZP-378; Nabidiolex®/Tetranabinex®; Sativex) – cannabinoid receptor modulator, other actions https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800013810
• Naloxone/tianeptine (TNX-601) – combination of tianeptine (weak and atypical μ-opioid receptor agonist) and naloxone (orally inactive opioid receptor antagonist)
• Nepicastat (APL-1401; SYN-117) – dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800025587
• NYX-783 – NMDA receptor modulator https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800050852
• Orvepitant (GW-823296, GW823296X) – neurokinin NK₁ receptor antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800020168
• Pomaglumetad methionil (DB103; LY-2140023; LY-2812223; LY-404039 prodrug) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu₂ and mGlu₃ receptor agonist (pomaglumetad prodrug) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800026989
• PRAX-114 – GABA modulator https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800051916
• PRX-3140 (PRX-03140; NTC-942) – serotonin 5-HT₄ receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800021864
• Verucerfont (GSK-561679; NBI-77860) – corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF₁R) antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800025784

Clinically used drugs

Approved drugs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Paroxetine (Dropax, Paxil, Seroxat, Serestill) – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800006148 https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800034798
• Sertraline (Lustral, Zoloft) – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800006147

Off-label drugs

• Antipsychotics (non-selective monoamine receptor modulators) (e.g., olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
• Benzodiazepines (GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulators) (e.g., alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam)
• Beta blockers (β-adrenergic receptor antagonists) (e.g., propranolol, sotalol)
• Cannabinoids (cannabinoid receptor agonists) (e.g., cannabis, THC/dronabinol, nabilone)
• Lamotrigine (sodium channel blocker, other actions)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (e.g., phenelzine)
• NMDA receptor antagonists (dissociative hallucinogens) (e.g., ketamine, esketamine)
• Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine)
• Prazosin (α₁-adrenergic receptor antagonist)
• Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (e.g., desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, venlafaxine)
• Topiramate (various actions)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (e.g., imipramine, amitriptyline)

See also

• List of investigational drugs
• List of investigational generalized anxiety disorder drugs
• List of investigational panic disorder drugs
• List of investigational social anxiety disorder drugs
• List of investigational anxiety disorder drugs
• Ibogaine

References

External links

• AdisInsight - Springer