A drug prescribed for the treatment of symptoms of anxiety.
Medications that have an antianxiety effect and are used widely to relieve emotional tension. The most commonly used antianxiety medications are the benzodiazepines.
Pharmacological classification of drugs that relieve anxiety and stress.
Drugs for the relief of anxiety. They will induce sleep when given in large doses at night, as will hypnotics. Most hypnotics will sedate when given in divided doses during the day. prescription of these drugs is widespread, but physical and psychological dependence occurs, as well as tolerance to their effects, especially among those with personality disorders or who abuse drugs and alcohol. This is particularly true of the barbiturates which are now limited in their use, but also applies to the benzodiazepines, the most commonly used anxiolytics and hypnotics. Withdrawal syndromes may occur if drug treatment is stopped too abruptly; hypnotic sedatives and anxiolytics should therefore not be prescribed indiscriminately, but reserved for short courses. Among the anxiolytics are the widely used benzodiazepines, the rarely used barbiturates, and the occasionally prescribed drugs such as buspirone and betablockers like oxprenolol.