Which drug is used for short-term management of generalized non-psychotic anxiety?

Which drug is used for short-term management of generalized non-psychotic anxiety?

• A. Perphenazine + Amitriptyline
• B. Haloperidol, Pimozide
• C. Trifluoperazine
• D. Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol

Answer: (C)

Trifluoperazine, a high‑potency phenothiazine, has strong sedative and anxiolytic effects due to dopamine D2 blockade in limbic circuits. This makes it useful for brief relief of generalized non-psychotic anxiety. Among the options, trifluoperazine is the one primarily recognized for this short-term anxiolytic role, whereas the other agents are aimed at psychosis or mood disorders and carry greater risk of extrapyramidal symptoms or are not established for acute anxiety management. Therefore, trifluoperazine best fits the use described.

Trifluoperazine, a high‑potency phenothiazine, has strong sedative and anxiolytic effects due to dopamine D2 blockade in limbic circuits. This makes it useful for brief relief of generalized non-psychotic anxiety. Among the options, trifluoperazine is the one primarily recognized for this short-term anxiolytic role, whereas the other agents are aimed at psychosis or mood disorders and carry greater risk of extrapyramidal symptoms or are not established for acute anxiety management. Therefore, trifluoperazine best fits the use described.