Question

List antianxiety agents in all classifications, common side effects, contraindications, nursing implications related to each side effect, interventions. Be thorough. Discuss with your peers what you have learned related to this group of medications. Be specific.

Answer 1

Anti anxiety drugs are also known as minor tranquilizers.

The classification of anti anxiety drugs are as follow:

1. Barbiturates: eg. Phenobarbital, pentobarbital

2. Non- barbiturates non- benzodiazepine anti anxiety agents: eg. Meprobamate, ethanol

3. Benzodiazepine: eg.

a. Very short acting: midazolam

b. Short acting : lorazepam

c. Long acting: diazepam

1. Phenobarbital:

- side effects: dizziness, headache, excitation, drowsiness, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

- contraindications: hypersensitivity to any barbiturates, acute intermittent porphyria, severe respiratory insufficiency, severe liver failure, pregnancy, breastfeeding.

- nursing interventions:

: Take th history of hypersensitivity to barbiturates.

: Check for any kind of contraindications.

: Administer IV slowly

: Do not administer the drugs intra arterially

2. Ethanol:

Side effects:

- intoxication

- low blood pressure

- agitation

- nausea

- vomiting

- low blood sugar

Contraindications:

- brain operation

- coma in diabetic patient

- diabetes

- porphyrias

- abnormally low blood pressure

- liver problems

- severe renal impairment

- shock

- seizures

- alcoholism

Nursing interventions:

- advice to avoid alcohol

- assess of signs and symptoms of pancreatitis

- worsening of psoriasis may occur

- check for adverse effect if present discontinue the drug and report to the physician.

3. Diazepam:

Side effects:

- dizziness

- drowsiness

- lethargy

- hangover

- paradoxical excitation

- mental depression

- headache

- hypotension

- rashes

- blurred vision

Contraindications:

- angle closure glaucoma

- coma

- pre existing CNS depression

- respiratory depression

- severe uncontrollable pain

Nursing interventions:

- assess the patient B.P

- assess the patient for motor response

- keep the patient in recumbent position after administration through parenteral to avoid drug's hypotensive effect

- administer with food to avoid gastric irritation

- explain about adverse effects of the drug