Final answer:
Antidepressants are the non-benzodiazepine drugs used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. While benzodiazepines are traditionally used for acute anxiety, antidepressants are preferred for long-term management due to concerns over dependency with benzodiazepines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-Benzodiazepine Drugs for Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Among the options provided, antidepressants are the correct answer for non-benzodiazepine drugs used to treat both anxiety and panic disorders. Antidepressants work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain and are often used to address various psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorders. These medications can take a few weeks to become effective and are typically prescribed for long-term treatment. In contrast, Lunesta and Ambien are nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics primarily used for sleep disorders and are not indicated for anxiety treatment. Pentobarbital, which is a barbiturate with potential for addiction and overdose, is also not commonly used for treating anxiety and panic disorders due to safer alternatives.
The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), have been the traditional treatment for acute anxiety and panic attacks. They are known for their rapid onset of action. However, due to concerns about dependency and withdrawal, beta-blockers or non-benzodiazepine options like antidepressants are often preferred for long-term management of anxiety disorders, which can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline and buspirone, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic.