Anxiolytic Medications
Drug Name/ Indication Half-life (T1/2) Notable side effects
Medication class List diagnosis, targeted Metabolism (CYP 450
symptoms and associated enyzme)
Neurotransmitters
Gabapentin Restless leg syndrome Gabapentin is not CNS side effects may be due to excessive blockade of voltage-sensitive calcium
-Neurontin Neuropathic pain/chronic pain metabolized but channels
Anxiety (adjunctive) excreted intact Sedation, dizziness
Anticonvulsant, Bipolar (adjunctive) renally Ataxia, fatigue, nystagmus, tremor
Antineuralgic Binds to alpha 2 delta subunit Not protein bound Peripheral edema
of voltage-sensitive calcium Elimination half-life Blurred vision
channels approximately 5-7 Vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain
hours Additional effects in children under age 12: hostility, emotional lability,
hyperkinesia, thought disorder, weight gain
Pregabalin Diabetic peripheral Pregabalin is not CNS side effects may be due to excessive blockade of voltage-sensitive calcium
-Lyrica neuropathy metabolized but channels
Fibromyalgia excreted intact Sedation, dizziness
Anticonvulsant, Generalized anxiety, panic, renally Ataxia, fatigue, tremor, dysarthria, paresthesia, memory impairment,
Antineuralgic and social anxiety disorder Elimination half-life coordination abnormal, impaired attention, confusion, euphoric mood, irritability
Binds to the alpha 2 delta approximately 5-7 Vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, increased appetite, flatulence
subunit of voltage-sensitive hours Blurred vision, diplopia
calcium channels Peripheral edema
Libido decreased, erectile dysfunction
Buspirone Management of anxiety Metabolized Serotonin partial agonist actions in parts of the brain and body and at receptors
-Buspar disorders primarily by other than those that cause therapeutic actions
Treatment-resistant CYP450 3A4 Dizziness, headache, nervousness, sedation, excitement
Anxiolytic depression (adjunctive) Elimination half-life Nausea
Binds to serotonin type 1A approximately 2-3 Restlessness
receptors hours
Absorption is
affected by food
Hydroxyzine Anxiety and tension associated Rapidly absorbed Blocking histamine 1 receptors can cause sedation
Drug Name/ Indication Half-life (T1/2) Notable side effects
Medication class List diagnosis, targeted Metabolism (CYP 450
symptoms and associated enyzme)
Neurotransmitters
Gabapentin Restless leg syndrome Gabapentin is not CNS side effects may be due to excessive blockade of voltage-sensitive calcium
-Neurontin Neuropathic pain/chronic pain metabolized but channels
Anxiety (adjunctive) excreted intact Sedation, dizziness
Anticonvulsant, Bipolar (adjunctive) renally Ataxia, fatigue, nystagmus, tremor
Antineuralgic Binds to alpha 2 delta subunit Not protein bound Peripheral edema
of voltage-sensitive calcium Elimination half-life Blurred vision
channels approximately 5-7 Vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain
hours Additional effects in children under age 12: hostility, emotional lability,
hyperkinesia, thought disorder, weight gain
Pregabalin Diabetic peripheral Pregabalin is not CNS side effects may be due to excessive blockade of voltage-sensitive calcium
-Lyrica neuropathy metabolized but channels
Fibromyalgia excreted intact Sedation, dizziness
Anticonvulsant, Generalized anxiety, panic, renally Ataxia, fatigue, tremor, dysarthria, paresthesia, memory impairment,
Antineuralgic and social anxiety disorder Elimination half-life coordination abnormal, impaired attention, confusion, euphoric mood, irritability
Binds to the alpha 2 delta approximately 5-7 Vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, increased appetite, flatulence
subunit of voltage-sensitive hours Blurred vision, diplopia
calcium channels Peripheral edema
Libido decreased, erectile dysfunction
Buspirone Management of anxiety Metabolized Serotonin partial agonist actions in parts of the brain and body and at receptors
-Buspar disorders primarily by other than those that cause therapeutic actions
Treatment-resistant CYP450 3A4 Dizziness, headache, nervousness, sedation, excitement
Anxiolytic depression (adjunctive) Elimination half-life Nausea
Binds to serotonin type 1A approximately 2-3 Restlessness
receptors hours
Absorption is
affected by food
Hydroxyzine Anxiety and tension associated Rapidly absorbed Blocking histamine 1 receptors can cause sedation
