Antianxiety Drugs

Question 1

How do anti anxiety drugs reduce anxiety?

Answer 1

By diminishing overactivity in the CNS

Question 2

Benzodiazepines

Answer 2

Exert their anxiolytic effects by depressing activity in the brainstem and the limbic system. Benzodiazepines are believed to increase the action of GABA
* Most commonly prescribed for the rapid relief of acute anxiety symptoms

Question 3

Antihistamines

Answer 3

Depress the CNS by sedating the patient. The antihistamine most commonly used for the relief of anxiety is hydroxyzine.

Question 4

Miscellaneous anxiolytic drugs

Answer 4

The third class of anxiolytics and include the single drug buspirone (BuSpar, BusTab). It has the advantage of being both non sedating and non-habit forming

Question 5

Other effects produced by anxtianxiety drugs

Answer 5

• Sedative
• Hypnotic
• Appetite stimulating
• Analgesic
• Anticonvulsant effects

Question 6

Six commonly prescribed anxiolytic benzo’s

Answer 6

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Clonazepam (Clonopam)
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Midazolam
• These drugs are also used for sedation, to produce muscle relaxation, to control seizures, to treat alcohol withdrawal, and as adjuvant drug therapy for sleep disturbances associated with depression

Question 7

Contraindications

Answer 7

KDA
Narrow-angle glaucoma
Pregnancy
Positive seizure history

Question 8

Adverse Effects

Answer 8

• Both antihistamines and benzo’s cam cause hypotension
• Paradoxical reactions to the benzo’s and antihistamines, including hyperactivity and aggress behaviour

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Question 9

Antihistamine Toxicity and Management of Overdose

Answer 9

Overdose is usually not severe but may be associated with excessive sedation, hypotension, and seizures
There is no specific antidote but in extreme cases a cholinergic drug may be used

Question 10

Benzodiazepine Toxicity and Management of Overdose

Answer 10

• When taken with other sedatives or alcohol, life-threatening respirator depression or arrest can occur
• An overdose of benzo’s may result in one or any combination of the following symptoms: somnolence, confusion, coma, or respiratory depression
• Treatment is symptomatic and supportive
  If ingestion is recent (

Question 11

Interactions

Answer 11

• Alcohol, and CNS depressants when coadministered with benzo’s can result in additive CNS depression and subsequent death
• Cimetidine, disulfiram, MAOIs, and tobacco can decrease the metabolism of benzo’s and result in increased CNS depression