Pharmacology of Anxiolytic Drugs (Who Expert Series on Neuroscience, Vol 3)

This is a concise discussion of anxiolytic drugs, including antianxiety and antidepressant medications, with information on their central and peripheral side effects, toxic effects, adverse effects and pharmacological profiles. In the first part of the book benzodiazepines are discussed, since they are still the primary pharmacological agents used to treat anxiety disorders, even 30 years after their introduction. However, it has become apparent that some patients develop a psychological and physical dependence on these medications. Therefore, new anxiolytic compounds have been recently introduced, which seem to possess similar efficacy to benzodiazepines, but with a pharmacological profile consistent with greater safety during long term use. These compounds may therefore constitute a significant alternative to previous pharmacotherapies for anxiety disorders. Primary care physicians and mental health professionals will find relevant information on specific conditions in this book, making it a practical, easy-to-use tool for practitioners.