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Anti Anxiety Agents

Anti-anxiety agents, also known as minor tranquilizers or anxiolytics, are used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders. They are classified into barbiturates, non-barbiturates/non-benzodiazepines, and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are currently the drug of choice and are further classified by duration of action into very short, short, and long acting. They work by binding to GABA receptors in the brain to increase inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and reduce anxiety. Common side effects include nausea, sedation, dizziness, and potential for dependence.

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Sathish Rajamani
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544 views12 pages

Anti Anxiety Agents

Anti-anxiety agents, also known as minor tranquilizers or anxiolytics, are used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders. They are classified into barbiturates, non-barbiturates/non-benzodiazepines, and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are currently the drug of choice and are further classified by duration of action into very short, short, and long acting. They work by binding to GABA receptors in the brain to increase inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and reduce anxiety. Common side effects include nausea, sedation, dizziness, and potential for dependence.

Uploaded by

Sathish Rajamani
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ANTI ANXIETY AGENTS

SATHISH Rajamani M. Sc (N)


INTRODUCTION
Also known as Minor Tranquilizers /
Anxiolytics.
Anti anxiety drugs are used in the
treatment of anxiety and anxiety related
disorders
Most of these drugs are belongs to
Benzodiazepine groups
CLASSIFICATION
1) Benzodiazipines
2) Non – Barbiturates / Non
– Benzodiazipines
3) Barbiturates
Barbiturates
Examples:
A.Phenobarbital
B.Pentpbarbital
C.Secobarbital
D.Thiopentone
Non – Barbiturate / Non -
Benzodiazepine
Examples:
a)Meprobromate
b)Glutethimide
c)Diphenyhydramine
Benzodiazepine
Presently benzodiazepines are the drug of choice
for the treatment of Anxiety Disorders and for
Insomnia.
Benzodiazepines are further classified into other
subtypes
i. Very Short Acting
ii. Short Acting
iii. Long Acting
I. Very Short Acting
Examples:
Triazolam and Midazolam
II. Short Acting
Examples:
Oxazepam and Lorazepam, Alprazolam
III. Long Acting
Examples:
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Diazepam (Valium)
Clorazepam and Nitrazepam
DURATION OF ACTION
• Long Acting > 8 hrs
• Intermediate
5 – 8 hrs
Acting
• Short Acting 1 – 5 hrs
• Ultra Short < 1 hrs
Acting
DOSAGES
Alprazolam 0.5 – 6 mg / day
Oxazepam 15 – 120 mg / day
Lorazepam 2 – 6 mg / day
Diazepam 2 – 10 mg / day
Clonazepam 0.5 – 2.0 mg / day
Chlordiazepoxide 15 – 100 mg /
day
Nitrazepam 5 – 20 mg / day
INDICATIONS TO
BENZODIAZEPINES
Anxiety disorders
Insomnia
Depression
Panic disorder and social phobia
OCD
PTSD
Bipolar I Disorder
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome and
Substance Induced Psychotic
Agitation
Mechanism of Action
Benzodiazepines binds to specific sites
on the GABA receptors and increases
GABA level.
GABA is an inhibitory
neurotransmitter which has calming
effect on the central nervous system
thus reducing anxiety.
SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea, Vomiting, Weakness, Vertigo
Blurring of vision, Body aches
Diarrhoea, impotence, Sedation,
Ataxia
Dry mouth, Retrograde amnesia
Dependence and withdrawal
syndrome

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