Medication Information

Common Medications

Antianxiety Medications (Anxiolytics)
Formerly called the "minor tranquilizers", the medicines in this group are primarily used in the treatment of anxiety; they are also used for some other disorders, such as depression, panic disorder, social phobia, bipolar I disorder, akathisia, and substance withdrawal. Because they have a higher therapeutic index and less abuse potential, the benzodiazepines (which comprise the largest number in this group) have largely replaced the barbituates in treatment for these disorders, and are also widely used a s sedatives and hypnotics as well as anesthetics, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants. Antihistimines are occasionally used to treat anxiety disorders, as are the beta-blockers.

Side Effects
The most common adverse side effect of the benzodiazepines is drowsiness. Used over a long period of time, patients can build up a tolerance to them, and may suffer withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue use. Other less common side effects are dizziness, ataxia, and, rarely, mild cognitive deficits and allergic reactions. Serious adverse effects may be experienced when other sedative substances, like alcohol, are taken concurrently with the benzodiazepines. Buspirone may cause headache, nausea, dizziness, and, rarely, insomnia. Occasionally a minor feeling of restlessness is associated with this drug. Clonidine may produce dry eyes and mouth, fatigue, sedation, dizziness, nausea, hypotension, and constipation. Some patients also experience sexual dysfunction. In rare cases, patients can experience insomnia, depression, nightmares, and hallucinations. Fluid retention can also become a problem if not treated with diuretics. The beta-blockers sometimes will result in hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and consitpation. Serious adverse reactions, such as agitation, confusion, and hallucinations, are rarely seen. It should be noted that some physicians find the anxiolitics to be very addictive; caution should be observed.

Generic Names
Some of the generic names follow (trade names in parenthesis)

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• buspirone (BuSpar)
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Libritabs, Lipoxide)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• clonodine (Catapres)
• clorazepate (Tranxene)
• diazepam (Valium, Valrelease, Zetran)
• estazolam (ProSom)
• ethyl alcohol (Alcohol, Ethanol)
• flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, Hipnosedon--not used in US)
• flurazepam (Dalmane)
• halazepam (Paxipam)
• hydroxyzine hydro-chloride (Atarax)
• hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril)
• lorazepam (Ativan, Alzapam)
• meprobamate Miltown (no longer used)
• benactyzine (Deprol)
• metoprolol (Lopressor)
• naldolol (Corgard)
• oxazepam (Serax)
• prazepam (Centrax)
• propranolol (Inderal)
• quazepam (Doral)
• temazepam (Restoril)
• triazolam (Halcion)
• zolpidem (Ambien)