What is the Best Drug For Anxiety Disorder?
While there are a lot of medications that can treat anxiety disorders but there has been no advancement in the development of new medications. However, studies on neuropeptides and other medications show promising results.
The most commonly used medication to combat anxiety is a drug called benzodiazepine. These are tranquilizers that act quickly and include alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin). These drugs provide immediate relief, but they also can cause severe side effects.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax are able to increase GABA which is a brain chemical. They calm the nervous systems and provide rapid relief but they can become addicting if they are used for a long period of time. They also increase the risk of developing a seizure if you take them together with other medications, including antidepressants.
They are prescribed to treat a wide range of conditions including alcohol withdrawal and agitation, aggression, seizures, spasms, and REM sleep disorder. They are also an effective anti-anxiolytic and hypnotic. Their use is controversial, however, because they aren't suitable for everyone. They can trigger side effects like drowsiness and confusion. Certain individuals are at risk of becoming dependent on them, which could result in addiction, and can cause an unintended rebound effect. They are not recommended for use for more than two weeks.
They are usually absorbed quickly, and begin to take effect within minutes. They work by blocking neurotransmitters that can send excessively stimulating signals to the brain. They also lower the production of adrenaline, a stress-related hormone. They also hinder the development of new memories that could cause anxiety and panic.
There are a variety of different kinds of benzodiazepines, each with a slightly different effect. You'll be able to tell the difference by how you feel. Your doctor will prescribe a benzodiazepine that is suitable for your needs. Some are short-acting and last for only few hours, while others have a longer-lasting effect and can be used in the event of need.
Another medication that may help to reduce anxiety and hypnotic symptoms is beta blocker Propranolol, which is often prescribed for social anxiety and public speaking. It can also reduce benzodiazepine side effects, such as orthostatic hypnotic hypotension (when blood pressure decreases when standing up), bradycardia and sedation.
Antidepressants take longer to work, but can improve anxiety and anxiolytic and hypnotic symptoms for certain individuals. They do this by regulating and balancing levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They are not first-line treatments, but they can be used as required together with benzodiazepines in order to alleviate anxiety that is acute.
Sleeping Medications
It is normal to feel stressed or anxious occasionally. However, if these feelings are affecting your daily life, you may want to consult a mental health professional. Psychologists have extensive experience in managing medication and can assist you in choosing the right anxiety medications for you, taking into consideration your diagnosis, medical history and personal preferences.
SSRIs are prescribed by doctors to treat depression and anxiety disorders. SSRIs boost levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which regulates appetite and mood. They also help improve your sleep and decrease anxiety. Typical SSRIs used to combat anxiety include sertraline, escitalopram and citalopram. SSRIs can take several weeks to start working and can cause negative effects, such as insomnia or sexual dysfunction.
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are fast-acting drugs that can provide immediate relief from anxiety symptoms. Benzos, controlled substances that target gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), can slow the brain and body down when feeling overly excited. They can also relieve seizures and pain, and they are often used to treat disorders such as PTSD, GAD and panic disorder. Benzos are a substance that can become habit-forming and cause serious negative effects, including memory issues and a higher chance of becoming addicted. Benzos can cause sedation, dizziness, confusion and a lower pulse rate.
Beta blockers, such as propranolol are another class anxiety medication that can be prescribed to decrease anxiety symptoms. Normally, these drugs are used to treat heart ailments, but they can be used to lower blood pressure and heart rate in people with anxiety, and they can also reduce the symptoms of asthma. Beta blockers can cause severe side effects, which include hepatitis, liver damage and heart attacks for those who have certain preexisting medical conditions.
There are a variety of new medications being developed and tested to treat anxiety disorders. These include medications that target neuropeptides, glutamate and other chemicals in the brain. However, few have advanced to Phase III trials for anxiety disorders, in comparison to the number of drugs in development and undergoing testing for PTSD, OCD, depression and bipolar disorder.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. There are several types of drugs that doctors and health professionals use to treat anxiety disorders, however, they all have similar effects on the body and mind. Before taking any medication to treat anxiety, it's important to consult a doctor.
SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are usually the first option for treating anxiety. These medications increase the levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter within the brain that improves communication between nerve cell. They may also boost the levels of norepinephrine that helps regulate mood. SNRIs like venlafaxine (Effexor XR), and citalopram, (Celexa) are also commonly prescribed. They function in a similar manner to SSRIs however, they have fewer adverse effects.
Atypical antidepressants, such as mirtazapine (Zoloft), and clonidine (Ursamin) are another class anxiety medications which work in a similar manner to SNRIs or SSRIs. They are effective, but they need longer time to begin working. Anticonvulsants like pregabalin, gabapentin, and tiagabine may also aid in reducing anxiety. GABAergic medications boost the activity of receptors that block neurotransmitters, reducing anxiety.
Beta-blockers, traditionally used to treat heart problems are also used to treat anxiety. Propranolol is also known as Benadryl, can be used to treat anxiety disorders like performance anxiety.
Off-label, different medications may also be prescribed to treat anxiety. One of them is the hydroxyzine (Visitor) which is a potent antihistamine that can relax muscles and induce sleepiness. It is used to reduce anxiety when itching is a result from allergies. Further research is needed for these medications however they are promising in initial studies.
Other Medicines
For people who suffer from chronic anxiety, psychiatrists recommend that they look into other medication. These are usually a combination of antidepressants and other types of drugs, including sedatives or sleep medications. They are typically prescribed on a long-term basis and have a lower chance of addiction than benzodiazepines, although they do have adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation.
Antidepressants are the initial line of treatment for anxiety. They include selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine inhibitions (SNRIs) that focus on brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. These include citalopram and sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine. The antidepressants duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR) are also useful for treating anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants like mirtazapine, (Remeron) can also be beneficial.
Antidepressants and other medications that influence GABA, the neurotransmitter, have been proven to decrease anxiety. Pregabalin is among them as is gabapentin, as well as Tiagabine. They affect the calcium channels of your nervous system, which can reduce neurotransmitter release. They are also effective in treating herpes and neuropathic neuralgia, as well as the fibromyalgia syndrome, some seizures and fibromyalgia.
Another alternative is a benzodiazepine which can be beneficial for anxiety-related symptoms that are acute on a short-term basis however, it should only be used under close medical supervision. These sedatives can be addictive and may exacerbate the anxiety disorder in its initial. Psychiatrists are highly trained to evaluate your needs and create an appropriate medication plan suitable for you.
The final medication that can be prescribed is an MAOI which is a more traditional kind of drug that treats panic disorder and some social fears by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in your body. These medications are typically prescribed in a lower dosage and gradually increased to prevent negative side effects, such as nausea and low sodium levels.
The most effective approach to anxiety disorders is a three-pronged one that includes psychotherapy, exercise and medication. Each person's approach to treatment is unique, however the majority find relief by combining these treatments. Your therapist will instruct you on cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you alter your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. panic anxiety disorder may also recommend accepting and committing to therapy, which teaches how to accept negative thoughts and fears instead of trying to push them aside.