The Anxiolytics Are pills that are consumed for the treatment of anxiety. Some of the most common names are Lorazepam, Bromazepam, Alprazolam, Diazepam, Chlorazepate...
If you do not hear the generic names is because maybe you know them by their trade names: Orfidal, Lexatin , Trankimazin, Valium, and Tranxilium. Now they do ring you, right?
Anxiety pills are the order of the day: you know them, you consume them today or you have done it in the past, you know Someone who consumes them or has consumed them, they talk about them on TV and press...
And is that are the drugs of first choice in medical consultations for many health problems: anxiety disorders , Nervousness, stress, insomnia , Phobias ...
Since the 90's the consumption of anxiolytics has been increasing progressively until now, where it is one of the most Consumed globally in developed countries, including Spain.
To give you an idea of the severity of this consumption, anxiolytics are the third most consumed substance in Spain (12.2% of the population Consumed), after tobacco (78.3%) and alcohol (40.7%).
In fact, Spain is the second most anxiolitic consuming country of the countries that form the OECD (La Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). The top country is Portugal.
Regarding gender, women consume more antidepressants than men, regardless of age range.
Precautions when taking anxiolytics
Anxiolytics are minor tranquilizers that slow the activity of the Central Nervous System, so be careful when it comes to Take them.
They should only be consumed if it is prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Doctors should know your current situation and your emotional state before prescribing any anxiolytics, since there are many drugs that produce Anxiety, so withdrawing said drug the problem of anxiety by which consultations would disappear.
Similarly, you should keep in mind if you have any organic problem, such as thyroid problems, respiratory problems, problems Cardiovascular... since they can alter the effects of anxiolytics.
If these types of drugs are not given properly they can cause:
Addiction
Alteration in reaction capacity
Alteration in alert status
Amnesia
Headache
Confusion
Muscular weakness
Depression
Attentional difficulties
Difficulty coordinating your movements
Difficulty driving
Affective blunting
Dizziness
Sedation
Drowsiness
Etc.
The 5 most common anxiolytics
Next, I will briefly analyze the five anxiolytics most consumed in today, specifically I will explain to be Use, their properties, their side effects and the considerations that you must take into account when taking them.
1-Lorazepam
Lorazepam, better known as Orfidal , Is mainly used for To treat anxiety disorders , sleep disorders , Problems of insomnia And states of tension. It is also used to treat some Psychosomatic diseases And organic.
It has anxiolytic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, sedative, amnesic and muscle relaxant properties.
Primary side effects:
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Considerations to take into account:
You should not drink alcohol during treatment with Lorazepam, as there is an increase in its sedative effect. The result of mixing both Substances is a great difficulty in performing any activity.
You should not drive in the first moments of treatment or when a dose change occurs, as its side effects affect your Driving ability.
Once the drug is withdrawn, they can be produced Withdrawal symptoms Such as: anxiety, sadness, depressed moods, insomnia... so Withdrawal should be gradual and guided by a physician.
2-Bromazepam
Bromazepam, better known as Lexatin , Is used to treat problems of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive problems, phobias and Hypochondria.
It has anxiolytic properties.
Primary side effects:
Decreased reflexes
Drowsiness
Considerations to take into account:
If you are taking any other medication consult your doctor before taking Bromazepam, since the combination of said anxiolytic with some Medicines produce depression.
You should be very careful with this drug if you have had addiction problems at some other time in your life, as it can cause Drug addiction with ease.
Do not consume alcohol along with this drug, since the interaction of both in your body can lead to an overdose.
It is not advisable to drive at the beginning of treatment or when changes occur in the shots as explained above.
You must leave the Bromazepam progressively. If you leave it abruptly, the resulting withdrawal syndrome could be dangerous.
3-Alprazolam
Alprazolam, better known as Trankimazin , Is prescribed to those people who suffer from anxiety disorders, Panic disorders , Crisis of anguish Y agoraphobia .
It has anxiolytic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties.
Primary side effects:
Sedation
Drowsiness
Considerations to take into account:
Like Bromazepam, Alprazolam generates addiction with ease, so be careful to take it.
If you are taking other medications, consult your doctor before taking this anxiolytic to avoid possible problems such as problems Cardiorespiratory or depressions.
If you mix it with alcohol its sedative effects are enhanced, making your daily activities difficult.
You should not drive in the first moments of treatment or when the dose is modified, just as it is with the drugs previously Described.
4-Diazepam
Diazepam, better known as Valium , Is mainly used for the treatment of anxiety disorders, psychosomatic disorders And for the treatment of muscle spasms.
It has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and relaxing properties.
Primary side effects:
Drowsiness
Sedation
Considerations to take into account:
If treatment is withdrawn abruptly, various symptoms (anxiety, Depression , Insomnia, nervousness, seizures...) Of abstinence syndrome.
You should not consume alcohol, as there is an increase in its sedative effect.
You should not drive until you realize that the effects of the drug do not affect the skills needed for driving (attention, ability Reaction, reflexes...).
5-Chlorazepate
Chlorazepate, better known as Tranxilium , Is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety , Insomnia, specific stress situations, Problems of alcoholism and drug addiction.
It has anxiolytic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, sedative, amnesic and muscle relaxant properties.
Primary side effects:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Considerations to take into account:
Chlorazepate can cause dependence, so its consumption should be supervised by medical personnel.
If you stop taking this drug do so progressively and under medical supervision to prevent the withdrawal syndrome from worsening.
Its side effects are increased if you ingest alcohol.
You should not drive under the effects of the drug.
Doctors recommend not taking this type of drugs for more than a month, but not everyone heed this recommendation and takes them for years And even decades.
The problem of prolonged use of anxiolytics is that it generates tolerance In the person who consumes them and a great physical and psychological dependence, Even going so far as to have serious addiction problems.
To avoid this problem, physicians should periodically assess the substance's consumers in order to adjust their dose, Maintain or withdraw it, as deemed appropriate.
The pills for anxiety in everyday life
In recent years there has been a tendency among the very unhealthy population: the tendency to medicalize the problems of everyday life.
Whenever a problem arises in our life, we tend to go to the doctor or the pharmacies for pills that take away the pain and the Suffering associated with this situation. Among those pills are the anxiolytics.
This is a serious mistake, since anxiolytics or any other type of pills will not solve the problem you have, they will simply act On some of the symptoms that you suffer, without modifying the initial problem.
It may take away the anxiety, insomnia or tension you have, but divorce, the discussions , Problems with your boss, problems Economic, fears or pain for the death of a loved one will continue to be there.
They are real problems that are not eliminated taking any pill, if not facing them, either autonomously or by going to a professional sanitary.
It is clear that certain pathologies exist for which these drugs are essential and necessary, but the majority of the people who come The doctor complaining of anxiety do not need to take any medication.
And at this point it is essential the performance of doctors, who should spend more time listening to their patients and see what their Real needs, thus avoiding the high consumption of unnecessary drugs.
We must stop this medicalization and psychiatry of the problems of daily life because it is not healthy that Spain is the second country of the OECD In anxiolytic consumption and that these drugs are the third most consumed substance in our country.
Alternatives to anxiolytic consumption
If you are looking for help in dealing with a problem, the ideal is to look for several options to choose from, in order to choose the one that best suits you. Adapt to your needs.
Among the different options, it is frequent to find the possibility of going to the doctor for the purpose of taking medication, but this should not be the First option to choose, because as you have already concluded is not the healthiest.
There are better alternatives to solve those problems that concern you, such as going to therapy, either individually or in a group. That choice will depend on your preferences.
To deal with a problem you must use all the tools you have available, but in case you do not have these Tools, these are scarce or do not help you with the problem you have, it is best to go to a psychologist.
With the help of a professional you will acquire the necessary skills to deal with the current situation that causes you discomfort and possible problems futures.
All those symptoms that most people go to for consultation, are symptoms that can be treated in consultation through work Therapist-patient, without the need for any drug to act.
Here are some recommendations that will help you get a Healthier lifestyle , Both physically and psychically:
- Sleep well
- Play sports regularly
- Eat healthy
- Avoid consumption of harmful substances (tobacco, alcohol, stimulants...)
- Exteriorize your feelings with someone you trust or with a psychologist
- Accept the problems that arise in your life and the associated emotions
These recommendations have a positive impact on your life, helping you lead a more organized, healthy life and eliminating many of the symptoms That you currently suffer (insomnia, tension, anxiety...).
A serious problem that affects the high consumption of anxiolytics today is the fact that society does not accept the emotions that derive from the Everyday problems, such as: frustration, stress, tension, uncertainty, discomfort...
We want to be continuously happy, happy and carefree, and that is practically impossible.
If you accept both types of emotions, both positive and negative, the problems you are currently worried about will lose strength and your psychic health upgrade to.
conclusion
Anxiolytics are necessary in serious mental illness and in severe and disabling disorders, in which these drugs are a pillar Basic in terms of treatment.
What is not necessary nor healthy is the consumption of anxiolytics for problems that we can consider of everyday life, such as: feel Anxiety about important exams, when it comes to interacting with other people, when you argue with your partner...
We should avoid consuming anxiolytics if it has not been prescribed by a healthcare professional and are strictly necessary, since they carry a series of risks and Side effects that are harmful to your physical and mental health.
In the case that the person consumes these drugs it is very important that you follow the instructions of your doctor, that you take them regularly and during a Time period as short as possible.
I hope that with the passing of time and the awareness of society, stop medicalizing everyday problems and learn to solve them from a Way much healthier.
And have you had anxiety-controlling anxiety?
References
- Survey on alcohol and drugs in Spain. Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality. Secretariat of State for Social Services and Equality. Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs. Madrid, March 3, 2015.
- John, A. Marchant, A. L. McGregor, J. I. Tan, J. Hutchings, H. A. Kovess, V. Choppin, S. Macleod, J. Dennis, M. S. Lloyd, K. (2015). Recent trends In the incidence of anxiety and prescription of anxiolytics and hypnotics in children and young people: An e-cohort study. Journal of Affective Disorders , 183, 134-141.
- Medrano, J. (2014) Boticarium. Journal of the Spanish Association of Neuropsychiatry, 34, 121.
- Olfson, M. (2015). Surveillance of Adverse Psychiatric Medication Events. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 313 (12), 1256-1257.
- Outhoff, K. (2010). The pharmacology of anxiolytics. South African Family Practice Journal, 52 (2),
99-105. - Svab, V. Subelj, M. Vidmar, G. (2011). Prescribing changes in anxiolytics and antidepressants in Slovenia. Psychiatry Danubina , 23 (2),
178-182.