Questions and Answers
What are the major medications used to treat anxiety disorders?
Benzodiazepines, Atypical anxiolytics, SSRI antidepressants
What is the select prototype medication under the Benzodiazepine classification?
Alprazolam (Xanax)
What is the classification of the following medications: Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Clorazepate (Tranxene), Oxazepam, Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)?
Benzodiazepine (sedative hypnotic anxiolytic)
What enhances the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the CNS?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the therapeutic uses of Benzodiazepines?
Signup and view all the answers
What are common adverse reactions to benzodiazepines?
Signup and view all the answers
In which patients are benzodiazepines contraindicated?
Signup and view all the answers
Benzodiazepines should be used short-term due to the risk for what?
Signup and view all the answers
Benzodiazepines interact with other ________ and can cause respiratory depression.
Signup and view all the answers
What should be avoided to prevent withdrawal manifestations of benzodiazepines?
Signup and view all the answers
Benzodiazepines should be administered with _________ to prevent GI upset.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the select prototype medication under the atypical anxiolytic classification?
Signup and view all the answers
What is much less likely with buspirone than with other anxiolytics?
Signup and view all the answers
What can buspirone be used to treat?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the common adverse reactions associated with buspirone?
Signup and view all the answers
What is contraindicated in patients taking buspirone?
Signup and view all the answers
Use buspirone cautiously in elderly patients with what condition?
Signup and view all the answers
Buspirone cannot be taken concurrently with ________ due to the risk of hypertensive crisis.
Signup and view all the answers
The effects of buspirone can take up to ________ week(s) to notice the first therapeutic effects.
Signup and view all the answers
For full benefit, buspirone may take ______ to ______ weeks.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the select prototype medication under the SSRI classification?
Signup and view all the answers
What classification do the following medications belong to: Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox)?
Signup and view all the answers
What selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake without affecting dopamine or norepinephrine?
Signup and view all the answers
Paroxetine (Paxil) produces CNS depression which can lead to what?
Signup and view all the answers
Paroxetine (Paxil) may take up to ____ weeks to produce therapeutic medication levels.
Signup and view all the answers
What is an SSRI antidepressant that can be used to treat GAD, panic disorder, OCD, social anxiety disorder, trauma/stress-related disorders, and depressive disorders?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an SSRI that treats OCD, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an SSRI that treats GAD and OCD?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Major Classifications of Anti-Anxiety Medications
- Benzodiazepines: Sedative hypnotic anxiolytics that enhance the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system.
- Atypical anxiolytics: Non-barbiturate options, including buspirone.
- SSRI antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used to manage anxiety symptoms.
Prototype Medications
- Alprazolam (Xanax) represents the benzodiazepine classification.
- Buspirone is the prototype for atypical anxiolytics.
- Paroxetine (Paxil) is the representative SSRI for anxiety treatment.
Common Benzodiazepines
- Include:
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Clorazepate (Tranxene)
- Oxazepam
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Therapeutic Uses of Benzodiazepines
- Effective for:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Seizures
- Insomnia
- Muscle spasms
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Induction of anesthesia
- Amnesia prior to surgery
Adverse Reactions to Benzodiazepines
- May cause:
- CNS depression
- Anterograde amnesia
- Acute toxicity (oral or IV)
- Paradoxical response (opposite effect)
- Withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation
Contraindications for Benzodiazepines
- Not recommended for patients who are:
- Pregnant
- Suffering from sleep apnea
- Experiencing respiratory depression
- Diagnosed with glaucoma
- Having liver or renal dysfunction
Use and Dependency Concerns with Benzodiazepines
- Short-term use is advised due to dependency risk.
- Abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal; tapering is recommended over several weeks.
- Should be taken with meals or snacks to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
Atypical Anxiolytic Characteristics
- Buspirone is the atypical anxiolytic with lower dependency risk compared to benzodiazepines.
- It does not induce sedation or potentiate effects of other CNS depressants.
- Indicated for panics, social anxiety disorder, OCD, and PTSD.
Adverse Reactions to Buspirone
- Common side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headaches (HA)
- Lightheadedness
- Agitation
Precautions with Buspirone
- Contraindicated during breastfeeding.
- Used with caution in elderly patients with renal or liver dysfunction.
- Should not be taken with MAOIs or within 14 days post-MAOI treatment to avoid hypertensive crisis.
Onset of Effect for Buspirone
- Therapeutic effects can be seen within one week, with full benefits realized after 3 to 6 weeks.
Characteristics of SSRIs
- Paroxetine (Paxil) is the primary SSRI for anxiety.
- SSRIs, like sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), and fluoxetine (Prozac), can treat a variety of anxiety disorders.
- Paroxetine selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake, allowing serotonin to remain in synaptic junctions while not affecting dopamine or norepinephrine uptake.
SSRIs and Side Effects
- Paroxetine may contribute to insomnia due to CNS depression.
- It has a long half-life and can take about four weeks to reach therapeutic levels.
- Other SSRIs provide effectiveness in treating GAD, panic disorder, OCD, and PTSD.
Summary of Related SSRIs
- Sertraline (Zoloft) treats OCD, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD.
- Escitalopram (Lexapro) is used for GAD and OCD.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on major medications used to treat anxiety disorders with this Pharm exam flashcard set. Learn about classifications such as Benzodiazepines, atypical anxiolytics, and SSRI antidepressants. Perfect for students preparing for pharmacy exams.
