Classification Of Anti Anxiety Drugs along with their mechanism of actions (MOA) :

1) BENZODIAZAPINES : (mnenomic - COLD)

 Chlorodiazepoxide

 Oxyzepam

 Lorazepam

 Diazepam

 Alprazolam

MOA - They work for GABA Receptors of the brain.They open the post synaptic receptor GABA A receptor.This leads to increased conductance of chloride ions which produce membrane hyperpolarization and this inhibits neuronal inhibition or decrease the firing rate of neurons.

2) AZAPIRONES :

    Buspirone

    Gepirone

    Ispapirone

MOA - Not clearly known. It does not interact with    benzidiazepine receptors or modify GABAnergic transmission.It achieves its anxiolytic effects solely through D2 receptor antagonistic mechanisms.

3) SEDATIVE ANTIHISTAMINIC :

    Hydroxyzine

MOA - They block the action of histamine at the  receptor.Competes with histamine for binding.It is a sedative,antiemetic,antimuscarinic and selective anxiolytic.

4) BETA BLOCKER :

      Propranolol

MOA - It is a beta blocker,it is a sedative.It is used to calmdown people with social phobias,agarophobias.As many symptoms of anxiety,are due to sympathetic overactivity (flight or fright) and these symptoms reinforce anxiety. Propranolol helps to give these symptoms a relief.Given adjuvant to benzodiazapines.