9 types of anxiolytics: anti-anxiety medicine

Anxiolytics do not make that toxic boss that sucks our energy disappear, the desire and the joy. They also do not solve our problems, we know, nor do they make psychological suffering go away forever. However, what they do achieve is reduce emotional distress to facilitate the effectiveness of psychotherapy and the multidisciplinary approach.

Sociologists say that we are already living in a dystopian society. We are that world in which millions of books on how to be happy are sold every year, we are those people who like to put filters on their photos to offer others an image of absolute perfection. With a perfect smile, with ideal happiness. Because being happy sells, it’s what we all aspire to. However, from behind closed doors and in the darkness of our own home, the demons take us away, Fears eat away at us and the shadow of anxieties traps us.

The pharmaceutical industry is trying to create increasingly sophisticated psychiatric medications, with fewer side effects and faster acting. So much so that There are several types of medication for every pain in life.those that family doctors sometimes prescribe too easily to the point of generating dependencies in people who perhaps would have solved their specific problem through a non-pharmacological strategy.

However, the problem is there, there are pathologies of endogenous origin that require a chemical approach, and there are reactive depressions caused by stress that would undoubtedly require more than one psychological strategy. Either way, Anxiolytics are essential in many cases, without a doubt, but always for a certain time to avoid falling into a medicalizing spiral. A spiral where the side effects are sometimes more harmful than the symptoms themselves.

Let’s delve today into all those types of anxiolytics present in the pharmaceutical market and whose objective is to treat processes associated with anxiety, insomnia, panic disorders, etc.

What is anxiety?

Before starting, it is important to clarify what we mean by anxiety from a psychological point of view. We can consider anxiety as a state of emotional discomfort that is not usually linked to immediate stressful stimuli.That is, it often arises from a catastrophic vision of the future or from irrational beliefs about the events of our daily lives.

Given this, Negative responses of a cognitive, emotional and even physiological nature usually emerge. Anxiety can trigger symptoms such as tachycardia, sweating, changes in body temperature and muscle tension, as well as panic attacks, avoidant behaviors, gastrointestinal problems, insomnia, among others.

Although the causes behind it are not entirely clear, There is evidence that genetic factors are involved, as well as possible past traumatic events or particularly painful experiences that may be related to its onset and development.

Treatment for anxiety usually combines psychological therapy and pharmacological interventionboth with antidepressant medications and with those that act specifically on the symptoms of anxiety, anisolytics.

How do anxiolytics work?

People who have needed or currently need pharmacological treatment to reduce anxiety know that It is usually common to try more than one typechange the dose from time to time and keep track of how we feel and the possible side effects they cause.

Therefore, first of all we must understand some aspects.

Each person reacts better to one type of anxiolytic. Therefore, it is advisable to have the supervision of good professionals to guide us in this process.Anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics are medications that work on the central nervous system to relieve anxiety or help us fall asleep.

Likewise, it is also convenient to take into account the mechanism of action of anxiolytics:

They are sedative, they slow down the body’s functions.They are psychotropic drugs that act on the central nervous system. That is, not only do they relax, but many of them have sedative, anticonvulsant and amnesiac effects. Their mechanism of action is generally simple: increase the effect of a brain chemical called GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). It is a type of brain inhibitor that relaxes and reduces the activity of neurons.

Let’s now see in detail what the main types of anxiolytics are.

1. Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines make up the “family” of the most common and used anxiolytics today. In addition to acting on the substance GABA, they also act on the limbic system, inhibiting the activity of serotonin in this brain region. The most common drugs in this typology are undoubtedly diazempam, lorazepam, bromazepam, alprazolam or clorazepate. , which we will now describe. Most of them produce relaxation, relief of cognitive tension and a more or less sedative effect depending on the type of drug.

What are benzodiazepines used for?

Benzodiazepines are used for the treatment of anxiety widespread.Insomnia.Phobias.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.Affective disorders.Schizophrenia. Likewise, it is interesting to know that benzodiazepines are used in many types of psychiatric emergencies: psychomotor agitation, environmental stress or personality disorders, delirium tremens…

Classification according to its duration and the effect on our body

Anxiolytics short half-life (its effects can last up to 8 hours):

Bentazepam.Clotiazepam.Cloxazolam.

Anxiolytics intermediate half-life (its effects last from 8 to 24 hours):

Alprazolam.Bromazepam.Camazepam.Clobazam.Ketazolam.Lorazepam.Oxazepam.Oxazolam.Pinazepam.

Anxiolytics long half-life (its effects last more than 24 hours):

Chlorazepate dipotassium.Chlordiazepoxide.Chlordiazepoxide + pyridoxine.Diazepam.Halazepam.Medazepam.Prazepam.

Side effects

It should be noted that the side effects associated with benzodiazepines are not as serious as those caused by the first type of anxiolytics: barbiturates. Furthermore, it is necessary to remember that The administration and consumption of these psychiatric drugs should never exceed 4 or 6 weeks.. Otherwise, we can develop dependency.

On the other hand, the most common secondary symptoms associated with benzodiazepines are the following:

Drowsiness.DizzinessConfusion. Lack of balance (especially in older people). Speech disorders.Muscular weakness.Constipation.Nausea. Dry mouth.Blurry vision.

2. Barbiturates

We pointed it out a moment ago: Before benzodiazepines came onto the market, barbiturates were the only anxiolytic available to the population. for the treatment of anxiety. Since the Nobel Prize in Chemistry Emil Fischer discovered barbital in 1902, they emerged as that dangerous but effective resource, capable of acting as sedatives of the central nervous system immediately. Later, in 1963, the Roche company launched the well-known Valium and with this drug, the era of benzodiazepines arrived. Just one year before – and as a curiosity – Marilyn Monroe “supposedly” committed suicide with a high intake of barbiturates.

Barbiturates are no longer prescribed for the treatment of anxiety

Barbiturates and All drugs that contain barbituric acid generate a high psychological and physical dependence.Likewise, the line between what is considered a normal dose and a toxic dose is very fine. Its mechanism of action is based on preventing the flow of sodium to the neurons. Currently, its use is reserved only for some types of surgery and to treat seizures.

Most common types of barbiturates:

Amobarbital (Amytal).Apropbarbital (Alurate).Butobarbital (Butisol).Phentoarbital (Nembutal).Secobarbital (Seconal).

3. Buspirone

Buspirone has its pros and cons. However, it is still a very interesting type of anxiolytic. Its main advantage is that it has hardly any side effects, It does not interact with other substances, does not affect cognitive performance and does not cause sedation. It is therefore a very well-established drug in the pharmaceutical market and is very popular with physicians due to its low adversity. However, The point against buspirone is that it is slow acting. In fact, the patient begins to notice its effects after 15 days. Something undoubtedly complex, because the person who suffers from severe anxiety wants to feel better as soon as possible, and above all, to be able to sleep. Hence, this drug is not useful in these cases.

However, experts tell us that it is very effective for mild anxiety, and that it is highly recommended for older people.

What is it for

Buspirone is used to treat the symptoms of anxiety: fear, tension, agitation, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, tachycardia…

Side effects

As we have pointed out, buspirone has on average minimal or non-serious side effects. The most common are headache, dry mouth, upset stomach…

4. Alprazolam

Alprazolam is one of the most prescribed anxiolytics. Many know it as Trankimazin, it is a derivative of benzodiazepines and is used primarily for the treatment of anxiety attacks such as agoraphobia, panic attacks and intense stress. Likewise, it should be noted that it has antidepressant principles since its chemical principles are similar. much to tricyclic antidepressants. It should be noted that it is a highly potent drug with immediate action, unlike buspirone. It has sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties, but the most notable effect is anxiolytic. On the other hand, It is important to note that the addictive potential of Alprazolan is also very high.Therefore, and to avoid tolerance, we remember once again that its administration must be limited and punctual.

What side effects does it have?

Headache. Problems urinatingFatigueDizzinessIritabilityConcentration problemsDry mouthLow sexual desireConstipationChanges in appetiteChanges in weightJoint pain

5. Diazepam

Diazepam or valium It is undoubtedly another of the best-known anxiolytics. It is also a derivative of benzodiazepines and the one most administered in outpatient clinics and medical centers. It is the most effective drug for treating muscle spasms, hence not only used for the treatment of anxiety, but also for psychosomatic disorders, torticollis, delirium tremens, panic attacks, dyspnea…and even for classic sedation prior to surgery…