Mental Health in Family Medicine 2015; 11:89-99 2015 Mental Health and Family Medicine Ltd Review Article TreatingResearch Article Anxiety with either Beta Blockers or AntiemeticOpen Access Antimuscarinic Drugs: A Review Thomas P. Dooley, Ph.D. TPD LLC, 7100 Cabin Lane, Pinson, Alabama 35126, USA; Tel: 205-222-6145; E-mail:
[email protected] AbSTRACT Beta adrenergic receptor antagonists and antiemetic scopolamine) or over-the-counter (e.g., meclizine) for the muscarinic receptor antagonists are useful for mental health treatment of non-cardiovascular symptoms that manifest in in primary care and family medicine settings, as they provide anxiety disorders. Antiemetic agents inhibit nausea, vomiting, favorable risk/benefit profiles, and especially so relative to sweating, and in some instances other psychic (CNS) symptoms. benzodiazepines. Beta blockers (e.g., propranolol) prescribed The symptoms affected by antimuscarinic agents represent the off-label have been known for decades to provide some, “inverse” of the symptoms of acute anxiety affected by beta albeit limited, anxiolytic benefit for patients affected by blockers. Thus, anxiety disorders can be treated by alternative social anxiety disorder (social phobia), including performance biochemical pathways, as well as by affecting alternative anxiety. Blockage of adrenaline’s binding to cardiovascular symptoms thereof. The results of human clinical studies are beta adrenergic receptors inhibits tachycardia, reduces blood summarized for both classes of anxiolytic agents that display pressure, and thus diminishes palpitations in acute anxiety complementary pharmacologic approaches to a diverse array and panic. However, beta blockers are not effective against of symptoms. the psychic (CNS) symptoms, such as anxiousness, fear, and MeSH Headings/Keywords: Anxiety, Panic, Anxiolytic, avoidance.