Pharmacology: Anxiolytics Flashcards
What drugs are used to treat antiety
Benzodiazepines (acutely only) Antidepressants Buspirone Pregabalin Beta blockers
List the pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines
Reduce anxiety and aggression
Hypnosis relaxation
Anti convulsant effect
Anterograde amnesia
What does GABA causes
hyperpolarisation of target cells (either by potassium efflux or choride ion influx)
When are benzodiazepines used
Acute anxiety Alcohol withdrawal Mania Delirium Rapid tranquilisation Surgery and minor procedures - sedative Status epilepticus
What other drugs work on GABA
steroids
ethanol
general anaesthetics
What are the problems with benzodiazepines
Do not typically cause resp depression so actually fairly safe in overdose
Paradoxical aggression
Anterograde amnesia and impaired coordination
Tolerance and dependency
what is the antagonist used in benzo overdose
flumazenil
which benzodiazepine is particularly bad for anterograde anmensia and co-ordination problems
rohypnol
how often should dose be reduced when withdrawing benzodiazepines
every 2-3 weeks by 2/2.5mg
When are SSRIs used in anxiety disorders
panic disorder, OCD
PTSD
phobias
What ssris are used for GAD
escitalopram
paroxetine
When are trycyclics uses in anxiety
second line for panic disorder
OCD
When is venlafaxine used
GAD
When is moclobemide used
social anxiety disorder
How does pregabilin work
it is a calcium channel blocker, GABA enhancer - used if anxiety unresponsive to other treatments
