Antianxiety medications for schizophrenia

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Antianxiety medications for schizophrenia

Antianxiety medications (such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam) are often used along with antipsychotic medications to treat people with schizophrenia during relapse. These medications have a calming effect and relieve anxiety and nervousness. In high doses, they may cause drowsiness and sleep.

Antianxiety medicines are sometimes used to shorten an episode of psychosis. On rare occasions, taking antianxiety medications makes psychotic symptoms worse.

When antianxiety medications are combined with antipsychotic medicines to treat schizophrenia, the dose of antipsychotic may need to be lowered.

Side effects of antianxiety medications include fatigue, balance problems, and sleepiness. These can lead to falls and accidents. For this reason, antianxiety medications are used with caution in older adults and people who already have problems with balance and coordination.

Antianxiety medications should never be stopped abruptly. This can cause weakness, severe confusion, and seizures.

Antianxiety medicines can become habit-forming.

For more information on antianxiety medications, see Drug Reference. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems).

Credits

Last updated:	February 05, 2008
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC