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Psychiatry
Anxiolytic Medications
Anxiolytics Prescribed for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorder Anxiolytic Benefits
Adjustment disorder with
anxious mood
Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD)
Benzodiazepines with
brief psychotherapy
SSRIs, alprazolam, and
clonazepam
Venlafaxine, other SSRIS,
and buspirone
Rapid onset to therapy
Decrease frequency
and intensity of panic
attacks
Decrease overall anxiety
OCD SSRIs and clomipramine Decrease obsessional
thinking
Social phobia SSRIs and buspirone Decrease fear associated
with social situations
Benzodiazepines
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Do not change dosages abruptly.
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Use the lowest dose in the elderly.
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Advise against using machinery or driving.
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In order from shortest to longest half-life: Alprazolam (Xanax) < lorazepam
(Ativan) < diazepam (Valium)
Buspirone
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Therapeutic effect can take up to 1 week
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Can be used safely with other sedative-hypnotics (no additive effect)
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Best option for people with occupations where driving or machinery is
involved, as there is no sedation or cognitive impairment
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No withdrawal syndrome
Basic Science Correlate
Buspirone is a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist.
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