CNS - ANXIETY Flashcards
What are the psychological symptoms?
- Restlessness
- worry
- fear
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
What are the physical symptoms?
- palpitations
- muscle aches and tension
- trembling and shaking
- excessive sweating
- SOB
- insomnia
What schedule are benzodiazepines?
schedule 4 part 1
When would you use beta blockers in anxiety?
To ease symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, tension
What is buspirone?
- 5HT agonist - low potential for abuse and dependence
- takes 2 weeks to work
- short term use
- if switching to benzo stop gradually
What do benzos do?
- anxiolysis (inhibits anxiety)
- sedation
- muscle relaxation
- anticonvulsant effects
How long should you use benzos for?
2-4 weeks
What are the side effects of benzos?
- paradoxical increase in hostility aggression - talkative/excited or aggressive
- sedation
What are the symptoms of benzo overdose?
ataxia, drowsiness, dysarthria (difficulty articulating speech), nystagmus, respiratory depression, coma
How would you minimise the risk of withdrawal symptoms of benzos?
- avoid long term use
- avoid abrupt withdrawal
What are the symptoms of withdrawal of benzos?
- increased anxiety
- insomnia
- weight loss
- tremors
- sweating
- loss of appetite
- perceptual disorders
- tinnitus
Within how many days would withdrawal symptoms occur for a short-acting benzo?
3 days
Within how many days would withdrawal symptoms occur for a long-acting benzo?
within 3 weeks
How would you withdraw benzos properly?
- gradually convert to an equivalent diazepam dose over 1 week - dose ON
- reduce diazepam by 1-2mg every 2-4 weeks
- keep reducing
What interacts with benzos?
- Sedating drugs - alcohol, opioids, antihistamines, antidepressants, barbiturates, antipsychotics
- Inhibitors - increase cp
