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Anti-anxiety meds

Anti-anxiety meds. C. Matthews MSN, RN, C.N.E. Fall 2013. Anti-anxiety meds….drugs that have the ability to relieve anxiety that is severe enough to interfere in everyday activities are now referred to as:. Anxiolytics. Anxiolytics.

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Anti-anxiety meds

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  1. Anti-anxiety meds C. Matthews MSN, RN, C.N.E. Fall 2013

  2. Anti-anxiety meds….drugs that have the ability to relieve anxiety that is severe enough to interfere in everyday activities are now referred to as: Anxiolytics

  3. Anxiolytics • A variety do drugs, originally used for other ailments (varied classifications) have been found to relieve anxiety. • Four general classes of drugs that are CNS depressants are used as anti-anxiety drugs: • Antidepressants • Benzodiazepines • Barbituates • Nonbenzodiazepine/nonbarbituate CNS depressants • Other

  4. Examples: • Antidepressants: • Tricyclics such as amitriptyline(Elavil) • MAOIs such as phenelzine (Nardil) • SSRIs such as escitalopram (Lexapro) • Atypical antidepressants such duloxetine (Cymbalta) • Benzodiazepines: • Lorazepam (Ativan) • Barbituates– these are rarely, if ever prescribed for anxiety because of high risk of dependence and dangerous withdrawal • Nonbenzodiazepine/nonbarbituate CNS depressants such as: • busparone (Buspar) or zolpidem (Ambien) • Other: • Antiseizure drug valproic acid (Depakote) • Beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin) or propanolol (Inderal) • CNS depressants like acetyl alcohol & opioids also have calming effect

  5. How anxiolytics work: • See ppp on antidepressants and sedative/hypnotics for actions • Beta-blockers: why anti-anxiety? Perhaps because they block the adrenergic (fight or flight) receptors. • Valproic acid: effects on GABA similar to benzodiazepines. • busparone (Buspar)? Believed to have effect on dopamine and serotonin receptors

  6. RN’s know about Anxiolytics • Depakote and beta-blockers are usually only used for social anxiety. Use depends on cardiovascular status. • All of these drugs cause drowsiness so patients should be taught to use with caution especially while driving. • Mixing drugs that depress the CNS system will amplify the drowsiness and should be avoided. Patients should not drink when taking these drugs. • Herbals that cause drowsiness (such as valerian or chamomile) will increase sedation if taken with these drugs. • Most of these drugs have multiple drug-drug interactions. • Many are habit-forming. • Dizziness is common side effect – use fall precautions with elderly.

  7. Reference • Adams, M., Holland, N. & Urban, C. (2014). Pharmacology for nurses, a pathophysiologic approach. (4th ed.). Pearson, Boston.

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