Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Diazepam, a benzodiazepine used as an anti anxiety drug
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Anti anxiety drugs, also called anxiolytics, are medicines prescribed to reduce excessive worry, fear, and tension in patients with anxiety disorders. Many different drug classes exist in medicine, and competitive exams often ask you to identify which specific medicine belongs to a particular therapeutic group. This question focuses on recognizing Diazepam as a commonly used anti anxiety drug and distinguishing it from medicines that have completely different uses.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Diazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system by enhancing the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid, which produces calming, sedative, and muscle relaxant effects. For this reason, Diazepam has been widely used as an anti anxiety drug. Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant used in blood clot prevention. Latanoprost is an ophthalmic drug used as eye drops for glaucoma. Hydralazine is an antihypertensive drug used to lower blood pressure. Therefore, the only option that correctly matches an anti anxiety indication is Diazepam.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key task in the question, which is to choose a drug that functions as an anti anxiety medicine.Step 2: Recall that Diazepam is a classic benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasm, and seizures by producing calming effects on the brain.Step 3: Recognize that Warfarin is mainly used to prevent and treat blood clots and is not used for anxiety.Step 4: Note that Latanoprost is prescribed as eye drops in glaucoma to reduce intraocular pressure.Step 5: Remember that Hydralazine is a vasodilator used as an antihypertensive drug, again unrelated to anxiety disorders.Step 6: Conclude that Diazepam is the correct anti anxiety drug from the given list.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your answer by grouping the drugs according to the system they act on. Warfarin acts on the blood clotting system, Hydralazine acts on the cardiovascular system, and Latanoprost acts on the eye. Diazepam, on the other hand, acts on the central nervous system and is classified under sedative and anxiolytic medicines. Textbooks and standard drug lists consistently categorize Diazepam as a benzodiazepine anxiolytic, which confirms your choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Warfarin is wrong because it is an anticoagulant used to prevent thrombosis and embolism. Latanoprost is wrong because it is an ophthalmic preparation for glaucoma, not a psychiatric drug. Hydralazine is wrong because it is used to control high blood pressure and does not have primary anti anxiety indications. None of these drugs are used clinically to relieve anxiety symptoms in the way Diazepam is.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to rely solely on how a drug name sounds instead of knowing its pharmacological class. Another pitfall is confusing the wide variety of cardiovascular and anticoagulant medicines with central nervous system drugs if you have not revised drug classes carefully. To avoid this, always connect each medicine with the main organ system it acts on and one key indication. For Diazepam, remember the association with benzodiazepines and anxiety relief.
Final Answer:
Diazepam, a benzodiazepine used as an anti anxiety drug.
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