


















Chapter 16
Drugs Used for Anxiety Disorders
Teresa Peck BSN, RN
Learning Objectives
Define key words associated with anxiety states
Describe the essential components of a baseline assessment of a
patient’s mental status
Develop a teaching plan for patient education of people taking
antianxiety medications
Learning Objectives (cont’d)
Describe signs and symptoms the patient will display when a positive
therapeutic outcome is being seen for the treatment of a high anxiety
state
Discuss psychologic and physiologic drug dependence
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Phobias
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Drug Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiolytics
Tranquilizers
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders












Generalized anxiety disorder
Psychotherapy
Specific benzodiazepines
Buspirone
Extended-release venlafaxine
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents
Meprobamate (Equanil)
Antihistamines (hydroxyzine)

Example-Vistaril
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders (cont’d)
Panic disorders




Behavioral therapy
Alprazolam and clonazepam (FDA approved)
Tricyclic antidepressants
Serotonin agonists
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders (cont’d)
Phobias



Behavioral therapy
Benzodiazepines
Beta adrenergic blockers









Treatment for Anxiety Disorders (cont’d)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder






Behavioral and psychosocial therapy
Clomipramine
Paroxetine
Sertraline
Fluoxetine
Fluvoxamine
Nursing Process for Antianxiety Therapy
Assessment








History of behavior
Basic mental status
Mood/affect
Clarity of thought
Psychomotor functions
Obsessions or compulsions
Sleep pattern
Dietary history
Nursing Process for Antianxiety Therapy (cont’d)
Planning
Implementation
Evaluation
Learning Objectives




















Describe signs and symptoms the patient will display when a positive
therapeutic outcome is being seen for the treatment of a high anxiety
state
Cite the side effects of hydroxyzine therapy and identify those effects
requiring close monitoring when used preoperatively
Discuss psychologic and physiologic drug dependence
Drug Class: Benzodiazepines
Mode of action
Indications
Therapeutic outcomes
Dose
Side effects
Drug interactions
See Table 16-1
Drug Class: Azaspirones
Mode of action
Indications-Anxiety disorders
Therapeutic outcomes
Dose-PO
Side effects
Drug interactions
Drug Class: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Mode of action









Indications
Therapeutic outcomes
Drug Class: Miscellaneous Antianxiety Agents
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)






Mode of action
Indications
Therapeutic outcomes
Dose
Side effects
Drug interactions
Drug Class: Miscellaneous Antianxiety Agents (cont’d)
Meprobamate (Equanil)






Mode of action
Indications
Therapeutic outcomes
Dose -PO
Side effects
Drug interactions
Anxiolytics
Dealing with possible psychological and physiologic dependence
Guidelines for withdrawal of anxiolytics