Know This- Anxiolytic Agents

Question 1

Drug Categories Utilized in Treatment of Anxiety

Antidepressant

Answer 1

Antidepressants [SSRIs - SNRIs] - [NOT NDRIs]

1st line agents for most anxiety disorders

Question 2

Benzodiazepines*

Answer 2

Declining use due to abuse potential - used in acute and situational anxiety

Question 3

Drug Categories Utilized in Treatment of Anxiety

Answer 3

Antidepressants- No NDRIs

Benzodiazepines*- Declining use due to abuse potential - used in acute and situational anxiety

Barbiturates*- Rarely used for anxiety –> low safety margin - drug interactions - high abuse potential

Question 4

Benzodiazepines in Anxiety

Answer 4

Most efficacious – pharmacokinetic considerations aid in selection of specific agent

Relatively high therapeutic index

Generally minor withdrawal symptoms

Previously widely prescribed for anxiety

BUT - long-term use is declining due to abuse potential –> increasing use of SSRIs

Question 5

Barbiturates in Anxiety

Answer 5

Generally unsatisfactory as antianxiety agents

Rapid development of tolerance

High abuse potential (Schedule II)

Lethality in overdosage - low therapeutic index

Excessive sedation

Drug-drug interactions - via CYP450 induction