An anxiolytic is a drug prescribed for the treatment of symptoms of anxiety. Some anxiolytics have been shown to be useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders as have antidepressants such as the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Oral medication A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. ... The term symptom (from the Greek syn = con/plus and pipto = fall, together meaning co-exist) has two similar meanings in the context of physical and mental health: Strictly, a symptom is a sensation or change in health function experienced by a patient. ... Anxiety is an unpleasant complex combination of emotions that includes fear, apprehension and worry, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nausea, chest pain and/or shortness of breath. ... Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal, pathological anxiety, fears, phobias and nervous conditions that may come on suddenly or gradually over a period of several years, and may impair or prevent the pursuing of normal daily routines. ... An antidepressant, in the most common usage, is a medication used to alleviate clinical depression or dysthymia (mild depression), including in the context of bipolar disorder. ... Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants. ...

Though not anxiolytics, beta-receptor blockers such as propranolol and oxprenolol can be used to combat the somatic symptoms of anxiety. Beta blockers or beta-adrenergic blocking agents are a class of drugs used to treat a variety of cardiovascular conditions and some other diseases. ... Propranolol (INN) (IPA: ) is a non-selective beta blocker mainly used in the treatment of hypertension. ... The term somatic refers to the body, as distinct from some other entity, such as the mind. ...

Types of anxiolytics

Anxiolytics are generally divided into two groups of medication, benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines. Alprazolam 2mg tablets The benzodiazepines (pronounced , or benzos for short) are a class of drugs with sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. ...

Benzodiazepines

• Main article: Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines are prescribed for short-term relief of severe and disabling anxiety. Common medications are lorazepam (Ativan^®), alprazolam (Xanax^®), and diazepam (Valium^®). Benzodiazepines may also be indicated to cover the latent periods associated with the medications prescribed to treat an underlying anxiety disorder. They are used to treat a wide variety of conditions and symptoms and are usually a first choice when short-term CNS sedation is needed. Longer term uses include treatment for severe anxiety and psychosis. There is a risk of withdrawal symptoms and rebound syndrome after continuous usage past two weeks. There is also the added problem of the accumulation of drug metabolites and adverse effects. Alprazolam 2mg tablets The benzodiazepines (pronounced , or benzos for short) are a class of drugs with sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. ... Lorazepam (marketed under the brand names Ativan®, Temesta®, Tavor®) is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. ... Alprazolam is a short-acting drug in the benzodiazepine class used to treat anxiety disorders and as an adjunctive treatment for depression. ... Diazepam (IPA: ), marketed under brand names Valium, Stesolid, Diazemuls, Seduxen, Bosaurin, Diapam, Antenex and Apozepam)[1] is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. ... A diagram showing the CNS: 1. ... Sedation is a medical procedure involving administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure, such as endoscopy, vasectomy, or minor surgery with local anaesthesia. ... Psychosis is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state in which thought and perception are severely impaired. ... Withdrawal refers to the characteristic signs and symptoms that appear when a drug that causes a physical dependency is regularly used for a long time and then suddenly discontinued or decreased in dosage. ... A metabolite is the product of metabolism. ...

Non-benzodiazepines

Buspirone (Buspar^®) is a serotonin 1A agonist. It lacks the sedation and the dependence associated with benzodiazepines and causes much less cognitive impairment. It may be less effective than benzodiazepines in patients who have been previously treated with benzodiazepines as the medication does not provide the euphoria and sedation that these patients may expect or equate with anxiety relief. Buspirone (brand-names Ansial®, Ansiced®, Anxiron®, Axoren®, Bespar®, BuSpar®, Buspimen®, Buspinol®, Buspisal®, Narol®) is an anxiolytic agent and a serotonin receptor agonist belonging to the azaspirodecanedione class of compounds. ... Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract. ... Agonists An agonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response in the cell. ... Addiction is a chronic disorder proposed to be precipitated by a combination of genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors. ... Look up euphoria in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Barbiturates and meprobamate exert an anxiolytic effect linked to the sedation they cause. The risk of abuse and addiction is high. Many experts consider these drugs as obsolete for treating anxiety, although they may be valuable for the short term treatment of severe insomnia. Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia. ... Meprobamate (marketed under the brand names Miltown® by Wallace Laboratories and Equanil® by Wyeth) is a carbamate derivative which is used as an anxiolytic drug. ...

Herbal treatments

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Certain herbs, such as St. John's wort and kava (kava kava), have been used as anxiolytics, but limited reliable evidence is available for their efficacy. In Europe, the root of the valerian is also popular as an anxiolytic. Image File history File links Circle-question. ... Binomial name Hypericum perforatum Linnaeus, St Johns wort used alone refers to the species Hypericum perforatum, also known as Klamath weed or Goat weed, but is used with qualifiers to refer to any species of the genus Hypericum. ... Binomial name Piper methysticum G.Forst. ... Binomial name Valeriana officinalis L. & Maillefer Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers. ...

There are herbal treatments that have been used in India for ages, including Bacopa. After thousands of years of use in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Bacopa monnieri has been proven to be an effective anxiolytic in over 30 clinical studies. It has been shown to be comparable to lorazepam, although unlike benzodiazepines which can cause amnesic action, this herb promotes cognition and increases memory. There are no known side effects regarding the use of Bacopa, nor does it contain addictive ingredients. The Bacopa is a genus of aquatic plants. ... Binomial name Bacopa monnieri L. Pennell Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri) is a perennial, creeping herb, also known as brahmi (note. ...

Use of marijuana as a anxiolytic has seen promising results in regions where its practical study is possible, but its status as a narcotic and controlled substance in many countries make its study as such difficult.

Alternatives to medication

Psychotherapy (e.g. cognitive or behavior therapy) is often useful as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy or as an alternative to medication. // Psychotherapy is a range of techniques based on dialogue, communication and behavior change and which are designed to improve the mental health of a client or patient, or to improve group relationships (such as in a family). ... Pharmacotherapy is the practice of treating diseases with medication. ...

References

• Albers, Lawrence; Rhoda Hahn, Christopher Reist (2001-2002). Handbook of Psychiatric Drugs. Laguna Hills, California: Current Clinical Strageties.