Lecture Notes: Key Medications for Anxiety Treatment

Overview

• Discussion on key medications for anxiety treatment, including benzodiazepines and atypical anxiolytics.
• A quiz at the end to test knowledge of key points.
• Use of Level Up RN Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Flashcards recommended.

Benzodiazepines

• Examples: Diazepam, Lorazepam, Midazolam, Alprazolam, Chlordiazepoxide.
  • Most names end in "pam" or "lam".
  • Chlordiazepoxide has "diaz" in the name to associate with benzodiazepines.
• Uses:
  • Treatment of anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, alcohol withdrawal.
  • Induction and maintenance of anesthesia.
• Mode of Action:
  • Enhance GABA effect in CNS for a calming effect.
• Side Effects:
  • Sedation, amnesia, respiratory depression.
  • Dependence and withdrawal.
• Important Points:
  • "Pam takes lorazepam for her anxiety. She doesn't drive her Benz anymore because benzos cause sedation."
  • Not for abrupt discontinuation.
  • Short-term use only.
• Antidote: Flumazenil (not naloxone).

Atypical Anxiolytics

• Key Medication: Buspirone.
• Uses and Characteristics:
  • Used for anxiety treatment.
  • Does not cause sedation.
  • Appropriate for long-term use.
• Side Effects:
  • Nausea, dizziness, headache.
• Patient Teaching:
  • Take with consistent food intake to avoid absorption changes.
  • Avoid grapefruit juice.
  • Effects may take weeks to be felt.

Quiz

• Question 1: Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA in the CNS. True
• Question 2: Naloxone is the antidote for benzodiazepines. False (Flumazenil is the antidote)
• Question 3: Key side effects of buspirone include respiratory depression, sedation, and amnesia. False (These are side effects of benzodiazepines)