Medication against anxiety

Introduction

There are different drugs for anxiety, which are also called psychotropic drugs, because they are drugs (pharmaceuticals) that treat the psyche, i.e. the thoughts and in this particular case the fear. In addition to these classic drugs for anxiety, there are also various alternative drugs that are based on natural substances. Furthermore, it is possible that one drug against anxiety and depression works in one and can therefore be used in patients who suffer from several mental disorders. Anti-anxiety drugs can only be taken if a psychologist or psychiatrist has been consulted beforehand, as psychotropic drugs are drugs with sometimes high side effects. Furthermore, the drugs against anxiety presented here are prescription drugs anyway, which can only be purchased upon presentation of a prescription in a pharmacy.

Drug class of benzodizepines

The benzodiazepines are a group of drugs, an umbrella group of antianxiety drugs. Benzodiazepines have several effects. Firstly, they relieve anxiety, but they also promote sleep and help the patient to relax.

In addition to muscle relaxation, they also lead to increased fatigue (sedation). When benzodiazepines are taken, there is a habituation effect after a short time. The body then needs higher doses of the drug to achieve the desired anxiety-relieving effect.

There is always a risk that the patient will develop a dependency when taking benzodiazepines. The risk of developing addiction is relatively high with benzodiazepines, unlike with other drugs. This is the reason why benzodiazepines are only taken for a short period of time and should be closely monitored by a psychiatrist.

There are also slight differences between the various benzodiazepines, some of which are more effective than others in relieving anxiety, and others less so because they are more sleep-inducing or more muscle relaxant. Diazepam is an anxiety drug which belongs to the benzodiazepine group. Diazepam is therefore a psychotropic drug, i.e. a drug for anxiety, sleep disorders, agitation or withdrawal symptoms during alcohol withdrawal.

Diazepam is also often used in hospitals before surgery or various diagnostic procedures. This is used to calm the patient down and relieve some of the anxiety. Diazepam is an effective ingredient found in various anxiety medications because it stops the transmission of anxiety through nerve cells.

Thus, the information that the patient is feeling fear at that moment is not passed on to the brain and the patient no longer perceives the fear. Usually the patients take the medication against anxiety with the active substance diazepam in the form of tablets. However, there is also the possibility of injecting Diazepam into the muscle or as a suppository into the buttocks so that the active substance is released there and reaches the blood and thus the brain via the mucous membrane (mucosa) of the anus.

In hospitals, the drug against anxiety with the active ingredient Diazepam is often given through the vein. This means that the drug is administered as a liquid through a plastic tube directly into the superficial blood vessels and thus acts very quickly and can be influenced very well. Diazepam can also be given to children when they have febrile convulsions.

However, this should always be done under medical supervision. Oxazepam is a member of the benzodiazepine group of drugs used in anti-anxiety medication. Oxazepam makes the patient feel calmer, which is why it is also used as a sedative (sedative = calming).

Oxazepam can therefore be used in medicines for anxiety, sleep disorders or depression. The effect is very similar to that of diazepam, but oxazepam works somewhat more slowly but also for much longer. Oxazepam is used as an active ingredient in anti-anxiety medication exclusively in the form of capsules or tablets.The active ingredient Bromazepam is a substance which is contained in various drugs for anxiety.

Bromazepam belongs to the group of so-called benzodiazepines and is usually administered as an anxiety drug. However, Bromazepam can also be taken when patients suffer from sleep disorders. Bromazepam can also be used to help patients with restlessness or anxiety.

Bromazepam, like most bezodiazepines, is taken in tablet form. Lorazepam is also a benzodiazepine and an anxiety drug. Lorazepam can also be used in cases of very severe anxiety or panic attacks, as it is a long-acting drug that lasts all day.

In addition to the classic tablet form, Lorazepam can also be administered in hospital through the vein (intravenously) or into the muscle (intramuscularly). Depending on the dosage, Lorazepam can also be given for mild or moderate insomnia. In addition, it may be administered for withdrawal, in epilepsy, as an anxiety drug (anxyolytic) for cardiac arrhythmia or as a drug before surgery (premedication).