What should patients avoid while taking antianxiety medications?

• A. Caffeine
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Alcohol
• D. Dairy products

Answer: (C)

Alcohol should be avoided with antianxiety medications because these drugs commonly slow brain activity, and alcohol amplifies that effect. The combination can cause excessive sedation, dizziness, impaired coordination, and slowed or difficult breathing, which can be dangerous or life-threatening. This is especially true with benzodiazepines and similar agents that rely on precise dosing and can amplify the risk of overdose or severe impairment.

Caffeine may worsen anxiety symptoms in some people, but it does not carry the same clear, dangerous interaction as alcohol with these medications. Vitamin C and dairy products do not have significant interactions with most antianxiety drugs, so they aren’t generally concerns for interaction purposes.