This document discusses anti-anxiety drugs, including their classification, mechanisms of action, and side effects. It begins by defining anxiety and explaining that anti-anxiety drugs, also called anxiolytics, are used to treat pathological anxiety. The main types of anti-anxiety drugs covered are benzodiazepines, which enhance GABA inhibition; azapirones like buspirone, which do not interact with benzodiazepine receptors; beta-blockers that reduce physical symptoms of anxiety; and antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs. Common side effects of anti-anxiety drugs include drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, and dry mouth.

1. Anti anxiety drugs
Presented By;
Sohil shah
M Pharm 1st year
pharmacology
School of Pharmacy,
Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded.
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2. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Symptoms
 Types of anxiety
 Classification of Anti-anxiety drugs
 Side effects
 References
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3. INTRODUCTION
 Anxiety :-it is an emotional state, unpleasant in nature, associated with uneasiness,
discomfort and concern or fear about some defined or undefined future threat.
 Some degree of anxiety is a part of normal life .
 Physical anxiety transient in nature and pathological anxiety needs treatment.
 To treat this type of anxiety the agents which are used are called as anti anxiety drugs or
anxiolytics.
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4. Symptoms04

5. Types of anxiety
 Generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD)
 Social phobia
 Panic disorder
 Phobias
 Post traumatic stress disorder
 Obsessive –compulsive disorder05

6. Classification of anti-anxiety drugs
 Benzodiazepines :-Diazepam, Oxazepam , Lorazepam
 Azapirones :- Buspirone , Gepirone
 Sedative antihistaminic :-Hydroxyzine
 Beta adrenergic blocker :-Propanolol
 Antidepressants :- SSRI- fluoxetine , peroxetine
SNRI- venlafaxine
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7. Benzodiazepines
 Benzodiazepines are most widely used anti-anxiety drugs.
 They have largely replaced barbiturates in the treatment of anxiety, because BZDs are safer and
more effective .
 BZDs are act by enhancing presynaptic/postsynaptic inhibition through a specific BZDs receptor
which is a integral part of GABAa receptor – Cl channel complex.
 BZDs modulate GABA effect by binding to a specific high affinity site located at the interface of the
alpha subunit.
 Binding of GABA to its receptor triggers an opening of chloride channel, which leads to an increase
in chloride conductance. BZDs increase the frequency of channel opening produces by GABA.
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8. Cont……
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9. Cont……
Most commonly used BZDs drugs are diazepam ,alprazolam and lorazolam
 Diazepam:-
It is quickly absorbed
It produces strong action during initial phase
Dose is vary from 5 to 30 mg per day
 Alprazolam :-
It is the most potent anti-anxiety drug
it is generally given to anxiety associated with depression
Dose is vary from 0.25 to 1 mg per day
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10. Cont….10

11. Azapirones
It is the new class of anti-anxiety drug it is distinctly different from benzodiazepines .
Buspirone:-
 It does not produces significant sedation .
does not interact with BZDs receptor
Does not produce tolerance or physical dependence
It is generally used to treat mild to moderate generalized anxiety
No withdrawal signs.
Dose is vary from 5 to 30 mg per day
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12. Beta-adrenergic blocker
 Many symptoms of anxiety ( palpitation, rise in Bp, shaking ,tremor ) are due to
sympathetic over activity , and this symptoms reinforce anxiety.
 Propanolol and other non selective beta blockers help to reduce such symptoms but
they does not affect the psychological symptoms such as worry, tension and fear but
are valuable in stressful situations like
 examination fear
 fear of public speaking
 It act by decreasing BP and Heart rate
 Propanolol is generally used to treat performance/ situational anxiety or sometimes
it is used as an adjuvant to BZDs.
 Dose is vary from 50 to 200 mg per day .
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13. Anti depressants
Some anti depressants drugs are also used to treat anxiety like
 TCAs :-imipramine , doxepin
 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors :-fluoxetine , peroxetine
 Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors :-venlafaxine
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14. Cont…
TCAs :- imipramine –doxepin
Act by reducing uptake of 5HT and NA
Used for anxiety especially associated with depression
Effective for panic attacks
Delayed onset of action
Dose vary from 50 to 200 mg per day
Sometimes it produces side effects like dry mouth ,weight gain and sexual dysfunction
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15. Cont…
SSRI :-fluoxetine :-
It act by blocking uptake of 5HT
It is given by oral route
Delayed onset of action (weeks)
It is generally used to treat panic disorder, GAD, and phobia
Dose of fluoxetine is vary from 20 to 40 mg per day
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16. Cont….
SNRIs :-venlafaxine
It act by blocking the uptake of both 5HT and NA
It give fast onset of action
It does not produces the side effects of TCAs
And it is safer in overdose
Dose vary from 75 to 150 mg per day
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17. Side effects of AAD
 Drowsiness
 Fatigue
 Confusion
 GI disturbances
 Dry mouth
 Visual disturbances
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18. REFERENCES
 Essential of medical pharmacology by KD Tripathi 7th edition 2015
 https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-medication.htm
 https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/understanding-anxiety-treatment
 https://www.drugs.com/condition/anxiety.html
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiolytic
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19. THANK YOU
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