Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders often improve through psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to help with anxiety.
Antidepressants can also be used to alleviate anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram and fluoxetine help by stopping nerve cells in the mind from absorbing serotonin. This chemical affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well, and they work very quickly. They can also be physically addictive and carry significant safety risks when used for long periods. They should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic episodes and other anxiety-related episodes that are severe. Benzos are often used in conjunction with other medications, such as antidepressants and psychotherapy (talk therapy) as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective in short-term anxiety relief, and they can help you get a good night's sleep. However they are also dangerous when abused, and they are not recommended for use with some other medications. When mixed with sedative substances such as alcohol or opioid pain medication, benzodiazepines could increase the risk of overdose and death. They also can interact negatively with certain antidepressants and trigger severe withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by your physician If prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines are effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious when it comes to using them due to the fact that they can be addictive and cause negative side effects like memory loss. Long-term use of these substances can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms and those who develop dependence are often unable quit using them without experiencing severe side effects like depression and seizures. The most important thing to remember when using benzos for long-term use is to: prescribe them only to patients who might benefit from them; use them in clinical situations that will likely alleviate anxiety symptoms; stay away from prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; reduce the possibility of abuse, especially by children; and mix them with effective psychological therapies.
Anxiety medication like benzodiazepines are a great way to alleviate anxiety. They do this by blocking certain nerves signals and preventing their transmission to the brain. These medications can help you sleep better and feel less anxious but they can't fix the root cause of what makes you feel anxious (like mounting bills or a strained relationship).
There are many natural ways to reduce anxiety, such as meditation, exercise and yoga. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, where you learn to challenge irrational fears and worries.
Antidepressants
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a great choice for people suffering from anxiety, as they help the brain regulate mood. However, they may take four to six weeks or longer to begin working. If a person does not feel better during the time frame, they should talk with their doctor about changing their medication.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They may work faster than older medications such as venlafaxine XR. It is important to keep in mind that these drugs can cause severe reactions in certain people. If someone experiences this reaction it is recommended that they seek urgent medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 for a chat with an experienced nurse (known as NURSE-ON CALL in Victoria).
MAOIs are an additional type of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break chemicals in the brain down to noradrenaline, among others. This allows the levels of these chemicals to rise and have a positive impact on mood. MAOIs tend to be reserved for patients that do not respond well to other antidepressants. However they can be extremely effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are among the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety. These drugs help with mental and anxiety disorders in a similar manner to SSRIs, but with fewer adverse effects. These medicines start at a lower dose and their effectiveness improves as the dosage increases. Tricyclics are effective in treating panic, anxiety disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they may not be as effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a more recent antidepressant is also used to treat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer that does not have the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn't hinder memory and coordination. It works by increasing serotonin in the brain, and reducing dopamine. About 70% of those who try the drug will find it to be effective. When the medication is used longer, the risk of side effects to diminish. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, is a good option to combine with these medications to improve their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth typically twice daily. It is not a controlled drug, but there is the potential for abuse.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way it operates, but they believe that buspirone reduces the amount and actions of a chemical referred to as serotonin in specific parts of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors believe that buspirone is a safe drug for most people. It is generally believed as having a lower degree of toxicity, and a lesser risk for addiction than barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Like other drugs, it may cause adverse effects. The most common side effects are nausea and dizziness. Buspirone can interact with other medicines, supplements and other ingredients. Inform your doctor if you take any of these before starting the drug.
Your doctor might prescribe the dose you need to take if are over 65. This is because older individuals tend to react differently to drugs than younger ones. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Inform your doctor if any of these drugs are taking by you. These include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the dosage of these drugs.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from liver disease, kidney problems stomach issues, are pregnant, or breastfeed. In these cases, certain medicines, like SSRIs might not be suitable for you.
Your doctor could recommend a different treatment if buspirone doesn't work or if you are unable to take it due to a medical condition, or because of an interaction with a different drug. It could be a different type of antidepressant, like Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers, such as propranolol; or a benzodiazepine drug, like Xanax. The PIL will provide more details about the best way to make use of the drug as well as possible adverse effects.
Other Medications
In addition to medication there are other options to help alleviate anxiety. Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an option. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to cope with anxiety and change your way of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, having a regular exercise routine, and avoiding the use of alcohol and other drugs. Herbal medications can help some people suffering from anxiety symptoms. If how to treat anxiety don't work, consult your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment generally fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, like Ativan (lorazepam), enhance the function of gamma-aminobutyric acids, or GABA in your brain, which helps to increase tranquility. They provide rapid relief but they can also become addictive if taken for long periods of time. Antidepressants take longer to kick in but they balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, called neurotransmitters, which affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs are the most common type of antidepressant that is used to treat anxiety. They increase the level of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain, which may improve your mood and help you feel less anxious. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that prevents the reabsorption both of serotonin and norepinephrine out of your brain. This increases levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energetic. A third antidepressant class, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, can be used to treat anxiety among people who aren't responding to SSRIs.
There are also a number of other medications that are sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders, including azapirones (such as buspirone), beta- and alpha-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and Clonidine. These medications have a lower percentage of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication is a very effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't be the only option you choose to use. If you have an underlying reason for your anxiety such as debt, a poor diet, or a problematic relationship, non-drug therapies may be more effective. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) biofeedback (which teaches you how to regulate your brain's activity with a monitor), and mindfulness meditation.