Anti-anxiety drugs, medically known as anxiolytics, include xanax and valium. Valium was one of the first prescription drugs identified as addictive when it earned the nickname mother’s little helper in the 1970s.
This class of drugs is prescribed when a patient complains of anxiety, nervousness, or persistent worrying.
Benzodiazepines are a family of depressant prescription medications used therapeutically to relieve anxiety, produce sleep, sedate, reduce tension and muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures. At high doses, benzodiazepines act as hypnotic drugs, at moderate doses as anxiolytics, and in low doses as sedatives.
Benzodiazepines are one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. Benzodiazepines are Schedule IV drugs (Controlled Substances Act).
There are short-acting benzodiazepines, and those with longer duration. The short-acting drugs are often used in patients who have difficulty falling asleep but do not have anxiety during the day. Some examples are:
Estazolam / ProSom ®
Flurazepam / Dalmane ®
Temazepam / Restoril ®
Triazolam / Halcion ®
Midazolam /Versed ® (often used prior to anesthesia)
For the treatment of insomnia in patients who do have anxiety during the day, benzodiazepines with a longer duration are often prescribed, such as:
Alprazolam / Xanax ®
Chlordiazepoxide / Librium ®
Clorazepate / Tranxene ®
Diazepam / Valium ®
Halazepam / Paxipam ®
Lorazepam / Temesta / Ativan ®
Oxazepam / Serax ®
Prazepam / Centrax ®
Quazepam / Doral ®
Clonazepam / Klonopin ®, diazepam, and clorazepate are also used as anticonvulsants.
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. Repeated large doses or daily use of therapeutic doses is associated with amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams, as well as tolerance and physical dependence. The withdrawal syndrome is similar to that of alcohol and may require hospitalization. Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepines is not recommended and tapering-down the dose eliminates many of the unpleasant symptoms.