The Pharmacology of Anxiolytics
Given that anxiety disorders are common and chronic and often co-morbid with both medical and psychiatric conditions, effective and safe anxiolytic drugs are in great demand. Serotonergic agents, in particular the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhib...
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| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2010-04-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1460 |
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| author | Kim Outhoff |
| author_facet | Kim Outhoff |
| author_sort | Kim Outhoff |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Given that anxiety disorders are common and chronic and often co-morbid with both medical and psychiatric conditions, effective and safe anxiolytic drugs are in great demand. Serotonergic agents, in particular the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, have an established track record for the pharmacological treatment of a wide range of anxiety disorders. Despite their slow onset of therapeutic action, their initial exacerbation of anxiety and some of their long-term unwanted effects, they remain the drugs of first choice in primary care. They are relatively safe and exhibit both anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Other antidepressants, such as mirtazapine, reboxetine and agomelatine, and the 5-HT1A agonist, buspirone, are alternative agents, although the evidence of their efficacy covers a narrower spectrum of anxiety disorders. Patients with anxiety disorders who are resistant to these drugs may benefit from second-line (tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors) or even specialist initiated thirdline (benzodiazepine, anticonvulsant or antipsychotic) therapy. None of the currently available drugs are ideal for every patient and the advantages and disadvantages of each are best considered when treatment is individualised. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aeed11c5c93b487a96c103acf3a2514d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2010-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-aeed11c5c93b487a96c103acf3a2514d2025-08-20T03:47:10ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042010-04-0152210.1080/20786204.2010.108739471203The Pharmacology of AnxiolyticsKim Outhoff0University of PretoriaGiven that anxiety disorders are common and chronic and often co-morbid with both medical and psychiatric conditions, effective and safe anxiolytic drugs are in great demand. Serotonergic agents, in particular the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, have an established track record for the pharmacological treatment of a wide range of anxiety disorders. Despite their slow onset of therapeutic action, their initial exacerbation of anxiety and some of their long-term unwanted effects, they remain the drugs of first choice in primary care. They are relatively safe and exhibit both anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Other antidepressants, such as mirtazapine, reboxetine and agomelatine, and the 5-HT1A agonist, buspirone, are alternative agents, although the evidence of their efficacy covers a narrower spectrum of anxiety disorders. Patients with anxiety disorders who are resistant to these drugs may benefit from second-line (tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors) or even specialist initiated thirdline (benzodiazepine, anticonvulsant or antipsychotic) therapy. None of the currently available drugs are ideal for every patient and the advantages and disadvantages of each are best considered when treatment is individualised.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1460anxietyanxiolyticspharmacology, ssrisnritcamaoimirtazapinereboxetineagomelatinebuspironebenzodiazepineatypical antipsychoticanticonvulsant |
| spellingShingle | Kim Outhoff The Pharmacology of Anxiolytics South African Family Practice anxiety anxiolytics pharmacology, ssri snri tca maoi mirtazapine reboxetine agomelatine buspirone benzodiazepine atypical antipsychotic anticonvulsant |
| title | The Pharmacology of Anxiolytics |
| title_full | The Pharmacology of Anxiolytics |
| title_fullStr | The Pharmacology of Anxiolytics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Pharmacology of Anxiolytics |
| title_short | The Pharmacology of Anxiolytics |
| title_sort | pharmacology of anxiolytics |
| topic | anxiety anxiolytics pharmacology, ssri snri tca maoi mirtazapine reboxetine agomelatine buspirone benzodiazepine atypical antipsychotic anticonvulsant |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1460 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kimouthoff thepharmacologyofanxiolytics AT kimouthoff pharmacologyofanxiolytics |