Anxiety

• Anxiety - a feeling of worry, unease, or nervousness that varies from mild to severe.
• Mild anxiety - anxiety that may be vague and unsettling
• Severe anxiety - anxiety that may seriously affect day to day living
• SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS - Treat generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• SSRIs SIDE EFFECTS (ANXIETY)

  1. Fatigue
  2. Nausea
  3. Sexual dysfunction
  4. Agitation
  5. Drowsiness
  6. Weight gain
  7. Diarrhea
  8. Insomnia
  9. Nervousness
  10. Headaches
  11. Dry mouth
  12. Increased sweating
• SSRIs (ANXIETY)

  1. Fluoxetine
  2. Citalopram
• SSRI WITHDRAWAL (ANXIETY)

  1. Extreme depression
  2. Fatigue
  3. Irritability
  4. Anxiety
  5. Flu-like symptoms
  6. insomnia
• Barrier contraceptives - should be used when taking SSRIs for anxiety to prevent pregnancy as it can cause serious fetal abnormalities
• Benzodiazepines - drugs for anxiety that work by slowing down the nervous system, helping you to relax both physically and mentally.
• BENZODIAZEPINE DRUGS (ANXIETY)

  1. Diazepam (Valium)
  2. Alprazolam (Xanax)
  3. Clonazepam (Klonopin)
  4. Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Pain killers, Sleeping pills - where BENZODIAZEPINES should not be mixed as it can lead to FATAL OVERDOSE
• Antihistamines - where BENZODIAZEPINES should not be mixed with to avoid OVERSEDATION
• Beta blockers - Used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems. However, they are also prescribed off-label for anxiety. It helps control the physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heart rate, a trembling voice, sweating, dizziness, and shaky hands.
• BETA BLOCKERS (ANXIETY)

  1. Propranolol (Inderal)
  2. Atenolol (Tenormin)
• When taking BETA BLOCKERS for anxiety, monitor the patient for bradycardia and hypotension
• Orthostatic hypotension - may be caused by BETA BLOCKERS; Advise patient to avoid sudden change in position especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position.
• Peripheral vasoconstriction - should be monitored when taking BETA BLOCKERS; symptoms include extreme coldness in the hands and feet, cyanosis, and muscle cramping.
• Buspirone - Relieves anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain and decreasing dopamine.
• BUSPIRONE SIDE EFFECTS

  1. Nausea
  2. Headaches
  3. Dizziness
  4. Drowsiness
  5. Weight gain
  6. Upset stomach
  7. Constipation
  8. Nervousness
  9. Diarrhea
  10. Dry mouth
  11. Tinnitus
  12. Sore throat
  13. Personality changes
  14. Chest congestion
  15. Hyperventilation
  16. Shortness of breath
  17. Palpitations
  18. Tachycardia
  19. Hypertension or hypotension
  20. Syncope
• Grapefruit/Grapefruit juice - where BUSPIRONE should not be taken with