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Anti-anxiety Drugs - anxiolytics, or minor tranquilizers Warning: THESE DRUGS ARE USUALLY ADDICTIVE        Any of a group of drugs, such as the benzodiazepines, that are used to treat anxiety without causing excessive sedation. Also called anxiolytic drug, minor tranquilizer. Anti=anxiety drugs are medicines that calm and relax people with excessive anxiety, nervousness, or tension, or for short-term control of social phobia disorder or specific phobia disorder.     Antianxiety agents, or anxiolytics, may be used to treat mild transient bouts of anxiety as well as more pronounced episodes of social phobia and specific phobia. There are two main types of antianxiety drugs, also known as anxiolytics or minor tranquilizers. The family of antianxiety drugs known as benzodiazepinesincludes alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan). Benzodiazepines     Benzodiazepines take effect fairly quickly, starting to work within an hour after they are taken.     Widely used to relieve anxiety, agitation, restlessness and for short periods to promote relaxation and strong sedative effect, relieves insomnia, relaxing effect on the muscles, slow mental activity, and often produce drowsiness.     The benzodiazepines prevent panic attacks by depressing acivity in the part of the brain that controls emotion, by promoting the action (GABA) by attaching itself to brain cells, blocking transmission of electrical impulses. They reduce motivation and if taken in large doses may lead to apathy.     Common side effects of antianxiety drugs are nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, restlessness, nervousness, or unusual excitement. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medicaltreatment unless they persist or they interfere with normal activities.     The brain becomes tolerant to effects and drug may become less effective after a few weeks. Physically and psychologically addicting. If used for a long period of time a person should be gradually withdrawn from them. Benzodiazepines have been shown to be potentially habit-forming or to cause withdrawal symptoms in patients who discontinue them. Drinking alcohol, which can have a potentially lethal interaction with the medications.     Benzodiazepines should not be used in patients with psychosis, acute narrow angle glaucoma, or liver disease. The drugs can act as respiratory depressants and should be avoided in patients with respiratory conditions. Benzodiazepines are potentially addictive and should not be administered to patients with substance abuse disorders. Because benzodiazepines are sedative, they should be avoided in patients who must remain alert. Their use for periods over four months has not been documented. These drugs should not be used during the second and third trimester of pregnancy, although use during the first trimester appears to be safe. They should not be taken while breastfeeding. Consult specialized references for use in children. Side effects     The most common side effects of benzodiazepines are secondary to their CNS effects and include sedation and sleepiness; depression; lethargy; apathy; fatigue; hypoactivity; lightheadedness; memory impairment; disorientation; anterograde amnesia; restlessness; confusion; crying or sobbing; delirium; headache; slurred speech; aphonia; dysarthria; stupor; seizures; coma; syncope; rigidity; tremor; dystonia; vertigo; dizziness; euphoria; nervousness; irritability; difficulty in concentration; agitation; inability to perform complex mental functions; akathisia; hemiparesis; hypotonia; unsteadiness; ataxia; incoordination; weakness; vivid dreams; psychomotor retardation; "glassy-eyed" appearance; extrapyramidal symptoms; paradoxical reactions. Other reactions include changes in heart rate and blood pressure, changes in bowel function, severe skin rash and changes in genitourinary function. Other adverse effects have been reported. Interactions     The metabolism of alprazolam may be increased by: cimetidine, oral contraceptives, disulfiram, fluoxetine, isoniazid, ketoconazole, metoprolol, propoxyphene, propranolol and valproic acid. The absorption of all benzodiazepines is inhibited by concomitant use of antacids. Benzodiazepines may increase blood devels of digoxin, and reduce the efficacy of levodopa. Other drug interactions have been reported.     Patients should be aware that the U.S. FDA has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in some patients and all people being treated with them should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.     The dosages of many anti-anxiety medications may have to be adjusted for patients with kidney or liver conditions because these conditions can impair the body’s ability to process (metabolize) and excrete the drug. This raises the risk of a toxic overdose of the medication. Patients with some forms of glaucoma (disease that damages the optic nerve) should not use benzodiazepines.