Anxiety disorders beta-blockers

An Australian study compared medical utilization and costs in patients with panic disorder, those with social anxiety disorder, and a control group (Rees et al, 1998). Almost half of the panic disorder patients had seen a primary-care physician more than seven times over a 6-month period, compared with 7% of the social phobic patients and none of the control group. The mean costs were A 150, A 60 and A 20 respectively. The patients with panic disorder were treated with antidepressants (39%), benzodiazepines (15%), relaxants (12%), beta-blockers (7%) and other medication (7%). Twenty per cent received no medication. Patients with panic... 

Sleep disturbances are common in the elderly. These disturbances are often secondary to medical illness and/or medication use (Martin et al. 2000). Illnesses could be anxiety disorders or any illness that may disturb sleep due to pain or nocturia. Medications that may cause sleep disturbances are e.g. beta-blockers, corticosteroids and SSRIs. If the sleep disturbance is secondary the treatment should be focused on the underlying cause. If there is no such cause the sleep disturbance is said to be primary. First-line treatment should then be improvement of sleep hygiene (Box 4.1). 

Early controlled studies demonstrated the effectiveness of irreversible MAOIs, particularly phenelzine and tranylcypromine, for generalized social anxiety disorder. Prior to the advent of the SSRIs, MAOis were considered the gold standard treatment for social anxiety disorder. The best studied of the MAOis, phenelzine, has proved snperior to both beta blockers and the benzodiazepine alprazolam in treating generalized social anxiety disorder. 

The efficacy of beta-blockers in the symptomatic relief of anxiety in adults has been established in over a dozen controlled trials (Neppe, 1989). In a number of countries, beta-blockers have been licensed for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Somatic manifestations of anxiety such as palpitations, diaphoresis, and tremor, rather than core psychological symptoms, were particularly responsive to beta-blocker treatment. In comparative trials that included patients with severe anxiety and panic attacks, the antianxiety effect of beta-blockers was, however, somewhat less powerful than that of benzodiazepines (Lader, 1988), with the exception of a small trial that compared alprazolam to propranolol (Ravaris et ah, 1991). Head-to-head comparisons of beta-blockers and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are lacking. Performance and stress-related anxiety that may affect public performers, such as musicians or people taking an examination or giving a speech, seems to be particularly suited for beta-blocker treatment (Lader, 1988). Beta-blockers may be given on an as-required basis 1-2 hours before the stressful situation. 

There are no controlled studies and little open data to inform use of beta-blockers in treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders. 

In 1965, the beta-blocker propranolol began to be used to treat some fear or anxiety symptoms. These drugs are particularly useful for treating panic symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder. 

Over the next 20 years, the benzodiazepines, TCAs, MAOIs, and beta-blockers were used to treat anxiety disorders. By the mid-1980s, up to 10% of all Americans were taking a benzodiazepine. In 1988, fluoxetine (Prozac) was introduced by Eli Lilly as the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. Its success led to the development of several other SSRI drugs. Today, these drugs are the first line of drug treatment for most anxiety disorders. 

Beta-blocker—Drug that suppresses the autonomic stress response that causes fear-like symptoms brought on by social anxiety disorder. 

Social anxiety avoidance Social phobia, panic disorder Antidepressants, beta blockers, benzo diazepines... 

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