Tranquilizers are a group of drugs prescribed to relieve anxiety, tension, and agitation. Also known as ataractics or anxiolytics, they act as mild depressants on the central nervous system. Although they have comparatively few adverse effects, they can lead to drowsiness and some mental confusion. They are sometimes grouped as the "mild" tranquilizers, in contrast with sedatives such as barbiturates, drugs used for mental
disorders (see psychopharmacology), and alcohol.
As a group,
Tranquilizers are the most commonly used prescription drugs in the United States. They
include the benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Librium, and alprazolam; the dephenylmethanes, such as Vistaril and Atarax; and the propanediols, such as tybamate and meprobamate (Equanil and Miltown). Physicians choose between tranquilizers on the basis of their appropriateness to meet a specific need.
anxiety is a normal response to stress and requires treatment only when the degree of
disturbance of the nervous system interferes with the patient's overall functioning. Such disturbances may most notably involve panic attacks, for which
alprazolam (Xanax) has proved useful. Other forms of disturbance include accelerated heart rate, palpitations, involuntary movements, insomnia or other sleep disorders, diarrhea, bandlike headaches, increased urination rate, and gastric discomfort. Tranquilizers provide temporary relief in such instances. This mere masking of symptoms, however, is potentially hazardous. With continuous use tranquilizers also decrease in effectiveness and can cause dependency (see drug abuse). Valium, for example, is now prescribed only limitedly for this reason.
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