Anxiety Flashcards
true or false: anxiety is the most commonly occurring psychiatric disorder
true
anxiety usually develops before the age of
30
is anxiety more common in men or women
women
What is anxiety
a normal and beneficial response to situations that are perceived as threatening, frightening, or disturbing. Becomes a disorder when it significantly impacts functioning
Drugs that cause anxiety (6)
Albuterol, caffeine, decongestants, levothyroxine, steroids, stimulants (ADHD meds)
what 6 medication classes may be used for anxiety?
Buspirone, BZDs, SSRIs, SNRIs, Hydroxyzine, herbal supplements
What kind of drug is buspirone?
serotonin (5HT)-1a receptor agonist
What specific anxiety disorder is treated by buspirone
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
The were two cons listed on the slides about buspirone….
often not dosed effectively and many patients and providers are skeptical of efficacy
Buspirone dose
10-15mg TID
what kind of interactions should we look for with buspirone
3A4 inducers and inhibitors
How long until we see efficacy from buspirone
3-4 weeks for initial efficacy
Which 4 BZDs are used for anxiety
alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, diazepam
Why don’t guidelines support the use of BZDs for anxiety
misuse potential of BZDs
are BZDs or SSRIs more effective for anxiety according to studies
BZDs
How are BZDs dosed incorrectly in practice?
Usually given PRN so it doesn’t work well for anxiety
Should BZDs be used long-term or short term?
short term, may cause dependence or tolerance
Acute withdrawal of BZDs may lead to what?
life-threatening seizures
there are warning of prescribing BZDs for anxiety with ____ because of increased overdose death risk
opioids
BZDs with active metabolites have a higher ___ ___
fall risk
Which BZDs do not have active metabolites?
alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, oxazepam
there are 3 BZDs that have a long acting active metabolite that increase risk for fall, especially in elderly
diazepam, clorazepate, and chlordiazepoxide
Side effects of BZDs (5)
sedation, paradoxical excitement, swallowing difficulties, impaired memory/recall, and psychomotor impairment
Can you discontinue BZDs immediately?
No, they must be tapered
BZDs and Beers criteria
usually considered inappropriate in elderly due to fall risk and paradoxical rxn
Which BZDs would we prefer in elderly?
Prefer LOT, lorazepam, oxazepam, and temazepam (short acting without active metabolites)
What specific type of anxiety is Hydroxyzine Pamoate FDA approved for?
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Why would we use Hydroxyzine pamoate HCL salt over Hydroxyzine?
so the patient can take a dose that’s 10mg lower
How is hydroxyzine taken for anxiety and sleep
prn, especially if history of substance abuse
usual dose of hydroxyzine
25mg-50mg TID, usually at bedtime
What does hydroxyzine work on
serotonin 5HT2A antagonist and H1 receptor antagonist
Side effects of hydroxyzine (3)
sedation, QTc prolongation, anticholinergic side effects
Hydroxyzine and beers criteria
not recommended for use in elderly patients do to fall risk and anti-cholinergic side effects
how does propanolol help anxiety
decreases the physiological symptoms associated with anxiety like tachycardia, sweating, and flushing
what kind of anxiety is propanolol most helpful for
performance and situational anxiety (PRN)
dose of propanolol
low doses, 10-20mg BID/TID
What in a pts med history should be evaluated before prescribing propanolol
hx of asthma and CVD conditions
cons of propanolol for anxiety
may mask hyperglycemia and make depression worse
5 natural products used for anxiety
Kava, St Johns Wort, Passionflower, Valerian, Chamomile
Is Gabapentin and pregabalin FDA approved for anxiety
No, but they are still occasionally prescribed
Pts who have ____ and ____ with anxiety may be prescribed gabapentin or pregabalin
bipolar disorder and neuropathic pain
What condition besides anxiety is quetiapine usually prescribed for?
sleeplessness
should quetiapine be used for insomnia
“sleep medicine does not endorse the use of quetiapine for insomnia”
6 types of anxiety
generalized anxiety
panic disorder
social anxiety
obsessive compulsive disorder
ptsd
anxiety associated with other medical conditions
Drugs that induce anxiety
cocaine, beta agonists, caffeine, corticosteroids
what is the fear center of the brain and which neurotransmitter effects it
amygdala, norepinephrine
what neurotransmitter counteracts GABA
glutamate
what neurotransmitter does GABA counteract
norepinephrine