Anxiolytic: Benzodiazepines: most effective drugs in relieving anxiety and are most frequently
prescribed. They bind to a specific site on GABA and mediate its actions.
Side effects: physical dependence CNS depression drowsiness sedation poor coordination impaired
memory
Teach: drugs are aimed at relieving symptoms but do not treat the underlying problems do not drink
alcohol be aware of decreased response time, slower reflexes, possible sedative side effects never
discontinue drug without supervision from physician
1. Alprazolam (Xanax)- short acting
Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual dysfunction,blurred
vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse.
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
2. Lorazepam (Ativan) - Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
3. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)- Side Effects:
dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat,
constipation, high potential for abuse
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
4. Clonazepam (Klonopin)- Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse, suicidal thoughts
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly,
5. Diazepam (Valium)- long acting Side Effects:
dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat,
constipation, high potential for abuse, respiratory depression.
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
6. Clorazepate (Tranxene)- Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse, suicidal thoughts
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
, 7. Oxazepam (Serax)- Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
Non-Benzodiazepine- Not addictive
8. Buspirone (Buspar)- exerts anxiolytic effects by acting as a partial agonist at serotonin
receptors which decreases serotonin turnover.
Side effects: dizziness, nausea, headache, restlessness, agitation, drowsiness,weakness, vomiting,
euphoria
Teaching: Rise slowly, no hazardous activity, take with food, report persistent restlessness, no
grape juice
Antidepressants: Atypical: drugs used when the client has an inadequate response to or side effects from
SSRI.
Modestly inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and weakly inhibits reuptake of dopamine
9. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)- side effects: nausea, vomiting, lowered seizure threshold, agitation,
restlessness, insomnia, may alter taste, blurred vision, weight gain, headache
Teach: Take with food, administer dose in the AM, ensure balanced nutrition and exercise
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI): selectively block reuptake of serotonin
Side effects: less than other antidepressants, anxiety, agitation, akathisia, nausea, insomnia, sweating,
sexual dysfunction, headaches, diarrhea, weight gain.
10. Sertraline (Zoloft)- side effects: dizziness, sedation, headache, insomnia, tremor, sexual
dysfunction, dry mouth, throat, sweating, diarrhea
Interventions: administer at PM if client is drowsy, encourage use of sugar free hard candy or
beverages
11. Fluoxetine (Prozac)- side effects: headache, nervousness, anxiety, sedation, tremor, sexual
dysfunction, anorexia, constipation, weight loss and nausea
Interventions: administer in the AM if nervous and PM if drowsy, monitor for hyponatremia,
encourage adequate fluids, report sexual difficulties to physicians
12. Paroxetine (Paxil)- side effects: dizziness, sedation, headache, insomnia, weakness, fatigue,
constipation, dry mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating
Interventions: administer with food, administer at PM if drowsy, encourage use of sugar free hard
candy or beverages
13. Citalopram(Celexa)- side effects: drowsiness, sedation, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, weight
gain, constipation, diarrhea
Interventions: monitor for hyponatremia, administer with food, administer dose at 6pm or later,
promote balanced nutrition and exercise
prescribed. They bind to a specific site on GABA and mediate its actions.
Side effects: physical dependence CNS depression drowsiness sedation poor coordination impaired
memory
Teach: drugs are aimed at relieving symptoms but do not treat the underlying problems do not drink
alcohol be aware of decreased response time, slower reflexes, possible sedative side effects never
discontinue drug without supervision from physician
1. Alprazolam (Xanax)- short acting
Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual dysfunction,blurred
vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse.
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
2. Lorazepam (Ativan) - Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
3. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)- Side Effects:
dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat,
constipation, high potential for abuse
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
4. Clonazepam (Klonopin)- Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse, suicidal thoughts
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly,
5. Diazepam (Valium)- long acting Side Effects:
dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat,
constipation, high potential for abuse, respiratory depression.
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
6. Clorazepate (Tranxene)- Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse, suicidal thoughts
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
, 7. Oxazepam (Serax)- Side Effects: dizziness,clumsiness,sedation,headache,fatigue,sexual
dysfunction,blurred vision,dry throat, constipation, high potential for abuse
Teaching: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, avoid hazardous activity, rise slowly, drink
sugar free beverages,don't stop abruptly
Non-Benzodiazepine- Not addictive
8. Buspirone (Buspar)- exerts anxiolytic effects by acting as a partial agonist at serotonin
receptors which decreases serotonin turnover.
Side effects: dizziness, nausea, headache, restlessness, agitation, drowsiness,weakness, vomiting,
euphoria
Teaching: Rise slowly, no hazardous activity, take with food, report persistent restlessness, no
grape juice
Antidepressants: Atypical: drugs used when the client has an inadequate response to or side effects from
SSRI.
Modestly inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and weakly inhibits reuptake of dopamine
9. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)- side effects: nausea, vomiting, lowered seizure threshold, agitation,
restlessness, insomnia, may alter taste, blurred vision, weight gain, headache
Teach: Take with food, administer dose in the AM, ensure balanced nutrition and exercise
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI): selectively block reuptake of serotonin
Side effects: less than other antidepressants, anxiety, agitation, akathisia, nausea, insomnia, sweating,
sexual dysfunction, headaches, diarrhea, weight gain.
10. Sertraline (Zoloft)- side effects: dizziness, sedation, headache, insomnia, tremor, sexual
dysfunction, dry mouth, throat, sweating, diarrhea
Interventions: administer at PM if client is drowsy, encourage use of sugar free hard candy or
beverages
11. Fluoxetine (Prozac)- side effects: headache, nervousness, anxiety, sedation, tremor, sexual
dysfunction, anorexia, constipation, weight loss and nausea
Interventions: administer in the AM if nervous and PM if drowsy, monitor for hyponatremia,
encourage adequate fluids, report sexual difficulties to physicians
12. Paroxetine (Paxil)- side effects: dizziness, sedation, headache, insomnia, weakness, fatigue,
constipation, dry mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating
Interventions: administer with food, administer at PM if drowsy, encourage use of sugar free hard
candy or beverages
13. Citalopram(Celexa)- side effects: drowsiness, sedation, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, weight
gain, constipation, diarrhea
Interventions: monitor for hyponatremia, administer with food, administer dose at 6pm or later,
promote balanced nutrition and exercise
