Anxiolytic

Any drug used in the treatment of anxiety. Azapirone?s, benzodiazepines, tranquillizer?s and even barbiturate?s, non-cardioselective [Beta blockers]?, antihistamine?s or meprobamate? can be prescribed. For somatic symptoms propranlol and oxprenolol can be used.

Azapirones, such as Buspirone, are most commonly prescribed. They chemically quite different from most of the other anxiolytics and the adverse effects of dependence, sedation and psychomotor impairment are noticably less than with benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines are prescribed for short-term relief (30 days maximum) of severe and disabling anxiety. The risk of withdrawal symptoms and rebound syndrome is high after only a few weeks. There is an added problem of the accumulation of drug metabolites and adverse effects.

Certain herbs, such as St. John's Wort, may also be used as anxiolytics. Although herbs may also have side effects, since they are more natural substances than pharmaceuticals the probability is smaller.