Tranquillisers
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What is it?
Tranquillisers are drugs which provide short-term relief of anxiety. Most tranquillisers belong to a class of drugs called the 'benzodiazepines'. Examples of benzodiazepine tranquillisers are:
- diazepam (sold under the brands Valium, Ducene, Antenex and Propam)
- alprazolam (sold under the brands Xanax and Kalma)
- oxazepam (sold under the brands Serepax, Murelax, Alepam and Benzotran)
- lorazepam (sold under the brand Ativan).
How does it work?
People who are depressed often experience anxiety as well. Benzodiazepine tranquillisers can relieve this anxiety. They do this by helping the work of a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) in the brain called 'GABA'. However, these drugs do not increase the supply of the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline which are believed to be in short supply in depression.
Is it effective?
In general, benzodiazepine tranquillisers do not help depression, although they can give short-term relief from anxiety which often occurs with depression.
Are there any disadvantages?
Some people become dependent on benzodiazepine tranquillisers. If these drugs are taken over a long period, there are withdrawal effects when they are stopped.
Where do you get it?
Benzodiazepine tranquillisers can be prescribed by a GP or specialist doctor.
Recommendation
Benzodiazepine tranquillisers should not be used alone for depression. An antidepressant should be used instead as the main treatment.
Key references
US Department of Health and Human Services. Depression in Primary Care: Volume 2. Treatment of Major Depression. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research: Rockville, MD, 1993.