Anti-Anxiety Drugs

• Anti-anxiety drugs aka anxiolytics or minor tranquilizers
• Anxiolytics

  Powerful potentiation (receptor agonist) of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA
• Types of Anxiolytics:

  • Benzodiazepines
  • Non-benzo
  • Antihistamine
• Benzodiazepines

  "lam" "pam"
• Benzodiazepines

  Acts fast, highly addictive, not for long term
• Benzodiazepines

  Benzow = low vital signs
• Antidote of Benzodiazepines: Flumazenil
• Non-benzo: Buspirone
• Buspirone 


  No depressant effect
• Buspirone

  Takes a long time to kick in; BUS is SLOW - 2 to 4 weeks for full effect
• Buspirone causes hiccups (give sugar)
• Antihistamine 


  For allergy and allergic reactions
• Antihistamine

  Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
• Anxiolytics: Key Point

  • Take at bedtime
  • Don't skip doses
  • Never "abruptly" stop
  • Stop drinking alcohol (causes more sedation)
  • Do not operate dangerous machines
  • Do not drive