Antianxiety Flashcards
How is anxiety distinct from fear?
Anxiety is absent of a incident
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Heighten tension, apprehension, uneasiness
Does simple treatment get rid of anxiety?
No
What are the causes of secondary anxiety?
Medical
Psychiatric disorder
Due to certain medications
Primary anxiety is Not due to any of the above
What are the type of anxiety disorders?
- PTSD: delayed reaction to stress at a least 6 months after causative episode- acute can be managed with anti anxiety drugs but not chronic
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder : it is a trait of the patient (most cases are these)
- Panic Disorder: this is an episodic condition characterized by 3-4 panic reactions a week. They do NOT respond well to anti anxiety drugs with exception to short action benzodiazepines and IMIPRAMINE
What other drug class is similar to anti anxiety drugs?
Sedative/hypnotics
What class of drugs they have the least in common with?
Antipsychotics
What is the most important group of anti anxiety drugs and why?
Benzodiazepines because they are effective, safe, versatile in uses
How does Benzodezepines work?
It involves GABA A receptor- chloride ion channel complex. It is ligand gated, the ligand is GABA which allows it to open up.
How does benzodiazepines and zolpidem bind?
They bind allostericly from GABA. They enhance or increase GABA mediated chloride conduction.
- benzodiazepines agonist are positive allosteric modulators and causes increase of chloride in cell. Benzodiazepine do not substitute GABA, they enhance them
What are the 3 types of benzodiazepine receptor ligands?
- Agonist: DIAZAPAM, ZOLPIDEM ( not a BZ)
- ATAGONIST : FLUMAZENIL
- Inverse Agonist: Beta carbinoles (not a drug)
How does BZ AGONIST drugs work?
DIAZAPAM and ZOLPIDEM (not BZ)
- these facilitate GABA action as POSITIVE allosteric modulators of GABA receptors function .
DIAZAPAM: use-anti anxiety, anti convulsive action. There are 2 receptor types of DIAZAPAM , BZ1 and BZ2.
ZOLPIdem : is a selective agonist to only BZ1.
How does BZ antagonist work?
FLUMAZENIL: blocks action of BZ and zolpidem if given before. But does not block the action of barbiturates and alcohol.
How does iNverse agonist work?
beta carbinoles are not drugs. These act as NEGaTIVE allosteric modulators of GABA receptor function. There action with BZ receptor causes anxiety and seizures because it prevents GABA from binding and chloride from opening at all.
What are the clinical indications for benzodiazepines ?
- Anxiety
- Dysthymic disorder:mild form of depression
- Skeletal muscle relaxation
- Seizure states and epilepsy
- alcohol withdrawal
- Anesthesia