Pharmacology of Anxiolytic Drugs Flashcards
What drugs can treat Anxiety?
Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Antidepressants Buspirone Pregabalin B-blockers
What are the effects of benzodiazepines?
Reduce anxiety and aggression Hypnosis/sedation Muscle relaxation Anticonvulsant Anterograde amnesia
What do benzodiazepines do?
Increase GABA-mediated inhibition
What is GABA?
Gamma amino butyric acid
Main inhibitory transmitter in the brain
Glycine restricted to spinal cord and brain stem
What does GABA do?
Causes hyperpolarisation of target cells
What are clinical uses for benzodiazepines?
Acute extreme anxiety Hypnosis Alcohol withdrawal Mania, Delirium Rapid tranquillisation Premed before surgery Status epilepticus
What are problems with benzodiazepines?
Fairly safe in overdose
Paradoxical aggression
Amnesia and impaired coordination
Cause tolerance and dependance
What is the neuroadaptation of the GABA response?
Chronic treatment causes reduced response to GABA
Withdrawal results in anxiety/convulsions possibly due to decreased density of BZ receptors
What should you switch to when trying to withdraw from benzodiazepines?
Diazepam/chlordiazepoxide
What can SSRI’s be used for?
Panic disorder, OCD,
PTSD, phobias, GAD
What are tricyclics used for?
2nd line for Panic Disorder
What can venlafaxine be used for?
GAD
What can moclobemide be used for?
Social anxiety disorder
What do ethanol, neurosteroids and barbiturates exhibit?
Anxiolytic properties
What do inverse BDZ agonists have?
Anxiogenic properties
