Benzodiazepine Tranquilizers (also known as antianxiety medications or minor tranquilizers)

Ativan (lorazepam), Dalmane (flurazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam, Rivotril), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Restoril (temazepam), Serax (oxazepam), Tranxene (clorazepate), Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam).

Information on medications, use, doses and side effects when you click here.

Ilnesses Or Problems For Which These Medications Are Most Often Used:

1. Akathisia (restlessness caused by antipsychotic medications)
2. Anxiety
3. Clonazepam (Klonopin) to stabilize mood in Bipolar Disorder
4. Detoxification from alcohol or other sedatives
5. Insomnia
6. Panic attacks
7. Seizure disorders
8. Severe agitation

The Facts About Benzodiazepine Medications:

1. They can be addictive for some people.
2. You need to take them exactly as prescribed.
3. The number of milligrams prescribed is a very individual matter.
4. Medications are usually only a part of treatment. Psychotherapy, skills training and lifestyle management are very important too.
5. It can be very dangerous to stop taking them abruptly. The dose needs to be reduced slowly and gradually when stopping.

The Usual Course Of Treatment

1. Very low starting dose.
2. Dose gradually increased to a standard level.
3. When used to treat insomnia, these medications may be used intermittently.
4. It is usually recommended that they be stopped as soon as possible because of the risk of addiction.
5. When used to treat prolonged disorders like Bipolar Disorder, Panic Disorder, phobias, or some of the other anxiety disorders, they are often used safely and effectively for prolonged periods of time.
6. When stopped, the dose is always slowly and gradually reduced.

The Most Common Side Effects of The Benzodiazepine Medications

• Daytime hangover or sleepiness poor coordination
• Dizziness problems with memory/learning
• Drowsiness or fatigue reduced mental responsiveness
• Excitement/restlessness reduced physical responsiveness
• Impaired judgment reduced tolerance for alcohol, narcotics, other sedatives
• Inattention

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Anafranil (clomipramine), Asendin (amoxapine), Elavil (amitriptyline, Endep), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Norpramin (desipramine, Pertofrane), Pamelor (nortriptyline, Aventyl), Sinequan (doxepin, Adapin), Tofranil (imipramine), and Vivactil (protriptyline, Triptil).

Tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs, were one of the first classes of antidepressants developed. Though they do generally have more side effects than SSRIs, some people find them more effective in treating the symptoms of clinical depression. In addition to treating depression, TCAs (particularly Anafranil) are sometimes used to control the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.