Antianxiety Meds
Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Antianxiety Meds
Outline
Overview
- Anti-anxiety meds (anxiolytics) depress CNS which increases GABA, therefore producing a relaxation effect.
- Most common = Benzodiazepines
Nursing Points
General
- Benzodiazepines
- Reduce anxiety
- Anticonvulsant
- Sedative effect
Nursing Considerations
- General interventions
- Caution:
- Elderly
- Avoid ETOH – enhances sedative effect
- Glaucoma
- Increases fall risk
- Safety first – sedative effects
- Drug-drug Interactions
- Notify MD before starting OTC meds
- Do NOT abruptly stop
- Taper down over weeks
- Caution:
- Watch for signs of withdrawal and toxicity
- Withdrawal
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Tremors, usually hand
- Nausea, vomiting
- Cramping
- Restlessness
- Seizures
Toxicity
- Toxicity
- Antidote: Flumazenil (Romazicon) IV
- Symptoms:
- Confusion and ↓ LOC
- Impaired balance and motor function
- CNS depression
- Possible paradoxical (opposite) reaction:
- Hallucinations
- Aggression
- Can progress to coma, death
Pharmacology for Nursing (MedMaster)
The Pharmacology Course is a one-stop-shop for all things medication related! We’ll talk you through how to be successful in pharmacology and how to be safe when administering meds. We break down the most common and most important medication classes into easy-to-understand sections. We even walk you through how to conquer the often intimidating med math and drug calculations! When you finish this course you’ll be able to confidently and safely administer medications to your patients!