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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-disorders
What Are the Best Medications For Anxiety Disorders Treatment of anxiety disorders is usually threepronged psychotherapy medication and exercise The first option for treating anxiety are antidepressants Newer drugs that have less risk of suicide and less abrasive side effects such as mirtazapine and nefazodone are better tolerated than antidepressants that are older such as tCAs and monoamine inhibitors of oxidase MAOIs The majority of people manage their anxiety by taking medications that reduce the brains fear signals These include SSRIs and SNRIs Benzodiazepines These drugs work by facilitating the binding between the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and a variety of receptors in the central nervous system They are considered a more safe and less toxic category of CNS depressants than their predecessors the barbiturates They are used to treat seizures as anxiolytics and anticonvulsants They are prescribed in low dosages and are less likely than older drugs to cause anticholinergic toxicities or delirium Before using them it is essential to consider the potential risks and adverse effects For example chronic use of benzodiazepines may impair memory and trigger withdrawal symptoms particularly when the drug is taken in conjunction alongside other CNS depressants such as alcohol or opioids It can also reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants in certain people Children and elderly people should not take benzodiazepines They should not take these drugs if they suffer from medical comorbidities such as depression They come in different forms and potencies and have different pharmacological properties They differ in their effectiveness in terms of duration duration and adverse effects Generally the longeracting benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide Librium and clorazepate Tranxene and Clobazam Onfi and diazepam Valium are prescribed for insomnia and anxiety while alprazolam Xanax and the lorazepam Ativan and midazolam Versed are used to induce anesthesia and for seizures and other seizures disorders Constipation fatigue and blurred vision are some of the most frequent side effects of benzodiazepines Some sufferers also experience headaches nausea and weight loss These effects are not severe and usually go away with continued use Benzodiazepines must be tapered rather than stopped abruptly because it could trigger withdrawal symptoms like irritability difficulty sleeping and anxiety attacks SSRIs serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and SNRRIs serotoninnorepinephrine stimulators of reuptake Atypical antidepressants such as mirtazapine and beta blockers are also effective in treating anxiety disorders SSRIs betablockers and SNRIs work by increasing the levels norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain This helps to reduce anxiety Atypical antidepressants boost these chemicals through a variety of pathways and can treat other mental disorders such as depression Betablockers commonly heart medications can be used in low doses to treat anxiety like stage fright by reducing the adrenaline rush that causes shaking and a rapid heartbeat SSRIs The most commonly used medications to treat anxiety disorders are selective serotonin reuptake inhibits SSRIs and serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs These drugs increase levels of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood They also increase levels of norepinephrine which is another neurotransmitter that affects mood The most popular SSRIs for anxiety are paroxetine Paxil and fluoxetine Prozac The SNRIs include citalopram Celexa sertraline Zoloft and nefazodone Serzone Other medications can also help with anxietyrelated symptoms They include antihistamines eg hydroxyzine as well as beta and alpha blockers eg propranolol propranolol and clonidine and benzodiazepines Antihistamines can be especially helpful when youre experiencing panic attacks They can induce a drowsiness which can reduce anxiety However they can cause adverse effects such as constipation dry mouth and sedation They can also have risks if taken while driving and you could develop an addiction to the medication Benzodiazepines which are sedatives work by enhancing the activity of neurotransmitters that transmit signals between brain cells These drugs can help you relax and sleep and are usually only prescribed for shortterm use These drugs can become addictive so you should only take them under the supervision of a physician Tricyclic antidepressants which are older medications can be effective in treating anxiety They function similarly to SSRIs by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your body The majority of these medicines are initially taken at a low dose and then increased gradually Some of these medications can cause weight gain and anxiety They can also cause dry mouth urinary tract issues and arrhythmias Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are the oldest antidepressants that have proven to be effective at treating anxiety However they are less common due to their negative side effects including dry mouth and weight gain Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may also interact with certain food items and medications including SSRIs certain birth control pills cold and allergy medicines and acetaminophen ibuprofen and aceta You can feel more relaxed and in control of your life by taking right medication for your anxiety It is also important to master techniques for managing stress Avoiding unhealthy foods and exercise as well as avoiding tobacco and alcohol and eliminating reading or watching news stories that could trigger anxiety are all important steps Joining an anxiety support group will allow you to meet other people who have similar issues and will teach you strategies for coping Tricyclic antidepressants SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants are among the drugs that are used to treat anxiety disorders Certain of these medications increase the levels of specific brain chemicals such as serotonin or norepinephrine These medications can be taken on a regular basis or as needed Some drugs take a few weeks to start working but they can help eliminate anxiety or make it less manageable However they wont work if the medication is taken off SSRIs can be used to treat anxiety and stop symptoms from recurring These include citalopram escitalopram fluvoxamine and sertraline SSRIs are generally safe and have a few adverse effects SSRIs can be combined with other treatments for anxiety including psychotherapy or exercise Beta blockers are a different type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety These drugs are primarily prescribed for heart problems but can be helpful for those suffering from anxiety and phobias They can help alleviate anxietyrelated symptoms by reducing the heart rate and decreasing blood pressure The most frequently used beta blockers are propranolol as well as atenolol People suffering from a phobia or a panic disorder may sometimes benefit from tranquilizers such as lorazepam or alprazolam These drugs can be used prior to a stressful event and they work quickly to ease anxiety symptoms These medications can become habitforming so only use them as needed In general SSRIs and SNRIs are considered to be the firstline treatment for anxiety They are safe welltolerated and are effective in controlled randomized trials However the unique characteristics of drugs and the comorbidities of patients must be considered A patient with a depression history may require more medication than someone without Monoamine oxidase MAOI is the most effective treatment of social anxiety or performance anxiety These medications increase the number of neurotransmitters that control mood and are often initially administered at low doses and then gradually increased anxiety causes can be taken on their own or in combination with a benzodiazepine Many medications such as SSRIs some birth control pills acetaminophen ibuprofen cold and allergy medications as well as herbal supplements can interact with MAOIs Therefore it is important to discuss your treatment options with your physician Monoamine oxidase inhibitors There are many medications that treat anxiety disorders and many are effective for the majority of people These include benzodiazepines antidepressants and anticonvulsants These are GABAA receptor agonists which can be employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms in the shortterm They are also used to reduce muscle spasms seizures and hypnotic conditions However benzodiazepines are not suitable for longterm use and can result in dependence Antidepressants can help reduce depression and anxiety These medications can take up to six weeks before they begin to work however they are extremely effective for the majority of people Certain people may have sexual side effects from these medications however they are usually manageable SSRIs and SNRIs raise levels of norepinephrine and serotonin two of the most important hormones and neurotransmitters that affect mood They are typically the first line treatment for the majority of anxiety disorders They can be taken daily to manage symptoms or be used when required Antidepressants can cause a myriad of adverse effects such as dry mouth nausea and weight gain They also increase the risk of suicidal ideation and suicide so it is recommended to only take them the time that is needed Another option is beta blockers which are typically used to treat heart ailments They are often prescribed offlabel to treat social anxiety disorders such as propranolol Inderal This medication is a great choice for relieving physical symptoms of anxiety such as shaking or high blood pressure It can also help to reduce stress hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine which are present during a heightened anxiety state Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin gabapentin and tiagabine are a class of drugs that have GABAergic properties These medications are FDA approved for treating neuropathic pain and can also be effective as an antidepressant for certain people TCAs are also tricyclic antidepressants which increase levels of serotonin in the brain They also decrease the activity of monoamine oxide which is responsible for breaking down these chemicals They can also be used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder and mania These drugs can cause various side effects such as weight gain dry mouth and sedation They can also increase your risk of developing hypotension urinary hesitancy or retention and arrhythmias