Pharmtech review: Anxiety Drugs

AntiAnxiety Drugs

• Characterized by worry and apprehension• For controlling stress• Addictive liability very high• Birth (teratogenic) effects if taken during

pregnancy!!!• Relax muscles, good for sedation but may cause

depression• Because of easy addiction, should be tapered off

in dosing

Examples of anti-anxiety meds

• Valium (diazapam)• Xanax (alprazolam)• Ativan (lorazepam)• Ambiens (zolpidem)• Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)• Equanil (meprobamate)• Serax (oxazepam)

Depression

• Feelings of pessimism, worry, sadness, loss of concentration, slow mental processes, eating and sleeping difficulties

Anti-depression meds:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSR’s)

• Block reuptake of neurotransmitter in brain, serotonin, so it lasts longs and stimulates the brain’s activities, euphoric.

• Indicated for major depression and OCD• Take over a week to start working and• Avoid all ethanol

Examples of SSR’s

• Celexa (citalopram)• Cymbalta (duloxetine)• Lexapro (escitalopram)• Prozac (fluoxetine)• Paxil (paroxetine)• Zoloft (sertraline)• Effexor (venlafaxine)• Prozac (fluoxetine)

Trycyclic antidepressants (TCA’s)

• Block reuptake of epinephrine and/or serotonin

• For depression• Cardiotoxic • Lightheadedness• Takes weeks to see effects

Examples of TCA’s

• Elavil (amitriptyline)• Sinequan (doxepin)• Tofranil (imipramine)

Bipolar Medications

• Alternating periods of manic and depressive symptoms

• A depressive psychosis

Bipolar Meds

• Abdominal aches and bloating• Bloody stools• Teratogenic!• Lithium in this group; must take blood tests to

determine actual blood level of lithium• Lithium interacts with many other

medications

Bipolar Meds

• Tegretol (carbamazepine)• Depakote (divalproex)

Anti-psychotic Meds

• Pts. retreat from reality• Delusional• Hallucinations• Side effects include: sedation, sun tanning

spots, bone marrow depression, tremors.• Taper off drug, takes weeks to be effective

Examples of antipsychotics

• Abilify (Aripiprazole)• Haldol (haloperidol)• Compazine (prochlorperazine)• Seroquel (quetiapine)• Risperadal (risperidone)

Drugs for Insomnia

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep• Side effects; depression of CNS, dizziness• Addictive liability

Examples of meds for insomnia

• Xanax (alprazolam)• Librium (chlordiazepoxide)• Valium (diazepam)• Lunesta (eszopiclone)• Ativan (lorazepam)• Ambien (zolpidem)

Drugs for convulsions/epilepsy

• Recurring periodic seizures• Disturbances of CNS electrical activity• Gran mal, petit mal, myoclonic, tetanic• Block synapses from firing• Side effects; sedation, loss of cognition

Examples of anticonvulsants

• Tegretol (carbamazepine)• Klonopin (Clonazepam)• Valium (diazepam)• Depakote (divalproex)• Neurontin (gabapentin)• Lyrica (pregabalin)