iPsychology

Antianxiety Medications
General Information

Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood

General Information

Antianxiety are used to treat all types of anxiety disorders.

• 2-keto compounds ( chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam, halazepam ).
  • Prodrugs ( inactive themselves but have active metabolites ).
  • Clorazepate has a fast onset.
  • Slowly oxidized in the liver.
  • Long half-lives.
• 3-hydroxy compounds ( lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam ).
  • Active compounds does not generate active metabolites.
  • Shorter half-life then 2-keto compounds.
  • Metabolized rapidly.
• Triazolo compounds ( alprazolam, estazolam, trizolam ).
  • Active compounds does not generate active metabolites.
  • Short half-lives.
  • Oxidized.
• 7-nitro compounds ( clonazepam )
  • Active compounds does not generate active metabolites.
  • Long half-lives.
  • Metabolized by nitroreduction ( some by oxidation ).

• Most useful against the physical aspects of anxiety.
  • GI upset.
  • Palpitations.
  • Sweating.
  • Tachycardia.
  • Tremors.

• MAOIs
  • Social phobia.
• SSRIs
  • GAD ( generalized anxiety disorder ).
  • OCD ( obsessive compulsive disorder ).
  • PTSD ( posttraumatic stress disorder ).
  • Social phobia.
  • Panic disorder ( not bupropion ).
• TCAs
  • School phobia.
  • Separation anxiety.