Anxiety is defined as apprehension, dread, or fear of danger or disaster with or without rational provocation. Anxiety is a common side-effect of many types of medications (steroids, antipsychotics, anticholinergics, antihistamines, diet pills, sympathomimetics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], asthma, cold medications, etc) and substances (caffeine, alcohol, lead poisoning, etc). It may also be caused by drug interactions.
Drug-induced anxiety may present as edginess, worrisome thoughts, agitation, restlessness, sleep disruption, or lack of focus. Other common signs and symptoms include rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, increased blood pressure, and excessive sweating.
Management depends on identifying and discontinuing the causative medication or substance, which may provide relief, given time. Substituting other medications calls for watchfulness to find the most effective replacement medication without further adverse effects.
Related Topics: Depressive disorders, Generalized anxiety disorder
Drug-induced anxiety
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Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
F41.9 – Anxiety disorder, unspecified
T50.995A – Adverse effect of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
22621000119103 – Anxiety disorder caused by drug
F41.9 – Anxiety disorder, unspecified
T50.995A – Adverse effect of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
22621000119103 – Anxiety disorder caused by drug
Drug Reaction Data
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Last Updated:07/25/2018
Drug-induced anxiety