Antianxiety drugs

Anxiolytics (also termed anti-anxiety or anti-panic drugs) are medications that are used to treat a health condition called anxiety. The type of anxiety that requires treatment is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This disorder causes excessive worry and anxiety, significant distress, and affects the ability for a person to function. Moreover, the symptoms of anxiety occur on most days for at least six months. Generalized anxiety disorder is treated with psychotherapy and medications.

Anxiolytics are used to treat anxiety or symptoms caused by anxiety. Some types of anti-anxiety drugs are used for other health conditions such as:

 Depression

 Insomnia

 Alcohol withdrawal symptoms

 Seizures

 Panic disorder

 Itching

 Nausea  Vomiting

side effects of anti-anxiety drugs

Some common side effects of anxiolytic drugs include:

 Drowsiness

 Sedation

 Confusion  Dependence and withdrawal symptoms

 Stomach upset

 Nausea

 Diarrhea

 Sexual dysfunction

 Headache

 Suicidal thoughts

 Elevated blood pressure

 Dry mouth

 Blurred vision

 Constipation

 Orthostatic hypotension

 Increased heart rate

 Abnormal heartbeat

 Weight gain other types of drugs are used to treat anxiety?

 Antidepressants

o Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs

o Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

o Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)]

 Benzodiazepines (anxiolytic and/or sedative drugs)

 Anticonvulsants (nonbenzodiazepine)

 Antihistamines  Azaperone (buspirone)

 Based on clinical studies, the effect of magnesium supplementation on anxiety symptoms

may not be better than a sugar pill. Patients should consult their doctor and pharmacist

before self-treating anxiety symptoms with nutritional supplements.

 Researchers have looked into the effect of Yoga on improving anxiety. Some of these

small clinical studies suggest that Yoga may improve anxiety symptoms by improving

the levels of GABA in the brain. Since Yoga and other types of exercise are beneficial for

overall health, it may be a useful addition to standard medical therapy for anxiety.

List of examples of brand and generic names available for anti-anxiety drugs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

 Citalopram (Celexa)

 Escitalopram (Lexapro)

 Fluoxetine (Prozac)

 Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

 Paroxetine (Paxil)

 Sertraline (Zoloft)

 Vilazodone (Viibryd)

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

 Venlafaxine (Effexor)

 Duloxetine (Cymbalta)  Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

 Amitriptyline (Elavil)

 Clomipramine (Anafranil)

 Doxepin (Sinequan)

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

 Amitriptyline (Elavil)

 Clomipramine (Anafranil)

 Doxepin (Sinequan)

 Imipramine (Tofranil)

 Desipramine (Norpramin)

 Nortriptyline (Pamelor - This drug is no longer available in the US.)

Benzodiazepines

 Clonazepam (Klonopin)

 Diazepam (Valium)

 Lorazepam (Ativan)

 Alprazolam (Xanax)

 Oxazepam (Serax)  Some studies suggest that the use of SSRIs to treat medical conditions

during pregnancy may be linked to increased risk of premature births, stillbirths, birth

defects, and miscarriage.

 Benzodiazepines may harm the fetus if taken by pregnant women. Benzodiazepines also

can enter breast milk and can cause weakness and weight loss in the newborn.

 Some studies suggest that hydroxyzine may cause birth defects when used during

pregnancy. It is not known if hydroxyzine is excreted into breast milk.