ANTI ANXIETY MEDICATION OR HYPNOSEDATIVE MEDICATION

1. ANTI ANXIETY /
HYPNOSEDATIVE/
ANXIOLYTICS
DRUGS
MS.POOJA SEN
NURSING LECTURER

2. INTRODUCTION
•Unpleasant state of tension , apprehension
uneasiness that seems to arise from an known
source.
•Usually associated with somatic symptoms–
tachycardia, sweating, tremor, palpitation, hyper
apnea etc.

3. ANXIOLYTIC
These are also called as minor tranquilizers. Most of
them belong to the benzodiazepines group of drugs.

4. CLASSIFICATION
1. Barbiturates – Phenobarbital, Pentobarbital,
secobarbital , thiopentone
2. Non – barbiturate – Meprobamate glutethimide,
ethanol diphenhydramine and methaqualom.

5. CLASSIFICATION
3. Benzodiazepines- benzodiazepines are the drugs of
first choice in the treatment of anxiety and for the
treatment of insomnia.
•Very short acting – Triazolam, Midazolam
• Short acting – Oxazepam, Lorazepam, Trapex,
Alprazolam, Trika, Alzolam
• Long acting – Chlordiazepoxide, Diazepam,
Clonazepam, Flurazepam, Nitrazepam

6. INDICATION
Anxiety disorder
Insomnia
Depression
Panic disorder / social phobia
O C D
Post traumatic stress disorder
Bipolar disorder
Alcohol withdrawal / substance induced & psychotic
agitation

7. DOSAGE
Alprazolam 0.5-6 PO
Oxazepam 15-120 PO
Lorazepam 2-6 PO/IV/IM
Diazepam 2-10 PO/IM/Slow IV
Clonazepam 0.5-20 PO/IM
Chlordiazepoxide 15-100
Nitrazepam 5- 20 PO

8. MECAHNISM OF ACTION
 Benzodiazepines bind to specific sites on the GABA
receptors and increases GABA level. Since GABA is
an inhibitory neurotransmitter , it has a calming
effect on the central nervous system , thus reducing
anxiety.

9. SIDE EFFECT
Nausea/vomiting
Weakness
Vertigo
Blurring of vision
Body ache
Epigastric pain
Diarrhea
Impotence
Sedation
Increased reaction time
Ataxia
Dry mouth
Retrograde amnesia
Dependence withdrawal
syndrome

10. NURSES RESPONSIBILITY
Administer with food to minimize the gastric
irritation.
Advise the patient to take medication exactly as
directed, abrupt withdrawal may cause insomnia,
irritability and sometimes even seizure.
Explain about adverse effect and advice him to avoid
activities that require alternes.
Caution the patient to avoid alcohol or any other CNS
depressants along with benzodiazepines.