What is the Best Drug For Anxiety Disorder?
Although there are plenty of drugs that can aid in treating anxiety disorder s, there has been little progress in developing new ones. Neuropeptides and agents have demonstrated promise in studies.
The most commonly used medication is a one-of-a-kind benzodiazepine. These are fast-acting tranquilizers which include alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin). These drugs provide immediate relief, but they also can cause serious side effects.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax help by increasing GABA which is a brain chemical. They calm the nervous systems and provide quick relief, but they can become addictive if used for a long time. They also increase the chance of having a seizure, when you combine them with certain other medications, including antidepressants.
They are prescribed to treat a broad variety of ailments, including alcohol withdrawal, agitation, aggression, seizures, spasms, and REM sleep-related disorder. They are also an effective anxiolytic and hypnotic. However their use is not without controversy since they are not suitable for everyone. They can cause adverse effects such as drowsiness confusion and dizziness. Some people may become dependent on them. This can lead to addiction. They can also have an extremely dangerous rebound. They are not recommended for use for more than two weeks.
These drugs are usually absorbed quickly, and begin to take effect within minutes. They block neurotransmitters that send overly stimulating signals to the brain. They also reduce the body's production rate of a stress hormone, adrenaline. They also stop the formation of new memories that can cause anxiety and panic.
There are many different kinds of benzodiazepines. Each one has a slightly different impact. You'll know the difference by how you feel. Your doctor will prescribe a benzodiazepine that matches your requirements. Some of them are short-acting and last for a few hours, while others are longer-acting and are able to be used when needed.
Propranolol is a different drug that can help reduce anxiety, hypnotic effects and hypnotic feelings. It is frequently prescribed to treat social anxiety or public speaking. It also helps reduce the adverse effects of benzodiazepines such as orthostatic hypotension (when your blood pressure drops when you stand up), bradycardia (low heart rate) and sedation.
Antidepressants take longer to effect but they can be helpful in treating anxiety, hypnotic signs and anxiolytics in certain people. They do so by regulating and balancing levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. However they're not thought as the first-line treatment for PD and could be more effective on a need-to-know basis in combination with benzodiazepines in the treatment of acute anxiety.
Sleeping Medicines
It is normal to feel stressed or anxious from time to time. However, if these feelings are affecting your day-to-day activities you might want to consult an expert in mental health. Psychiatrists have extensive training in managing medication and can assist you in choosing the right anxiety medications for you, taking into consideration your medical history, diagnosis and preferences.
SSRIs are prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders and depression. SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which regulates appetite and mood. They also help improve your sleep and decrease anxiety. The most common SSRIs used to treat anxiety include sertraline, citalopram and escitalopram. SSRIs may take a couple of weeks before they begin to work, and they can have adverse effects such as insomnia or sexual dysfunction.
Benzodiazepines (or benzos) are quick-acting drugs that provide immediate relief from anxiety-related symptoms. Benzos are controlled substances that target the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and can reduce the body and brain when you feel overwhelmed. They also help relieve seizures and pain and are commonly used to treat disorders such as PTSD, GAD and panic disorder. Benzos are addictive and can cause memory issues addiction, as well as other harmful adverse effects. Benzos can cause sedation, dizziness, confusion and a lower pulse rate.
Beta blockers, such as propranolol, are a different class of anxiety medications that are available off-label to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Usually, these medications are used to treat heart conditions however they can be used to reduce heart rate and blood pressure in those suffering from anxiety and can also help reduce symptoms of asthma. Beta blockers can cause severe side effects, which include liver damage, hepatitis and heart attacks for those with preexisting health conditions.
Many new medications are in the process of being developed and examined for anxiety disorders. These include medications that target glutamate, neuropeptides and other chemicals found in the brain. A smaller number of drugs have passed Phase III trials in anxiety disorders compared to new medications being developed and tested for PTSD, OCD and depression.
Antidepressants
The medications used to treat anxiety disorders are generally known as antidepressants. There are several types of drugs that doctors and health professionals employ to treat anxiety disorders, however, they all have the same effects on the body and mind. It is important to speak with your doctor before taking any medication to treat anxiety.
SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are usually the first option for treating anxiety. These medications increase levels serotonin, the neurotransmitter in the brain, which improves communication between nerve cells. They can also boost levels of the hormone norepinephrine which regulates mood. SNRIs such as venlafaxine, (Effexor XR), and citalopram, (Celexa) are also commonly prescribed. They work similarly to SSRIs but have fewer side-effects.
Atypical antidepressants like mirtazapine, (Zoloft) and clonidine (Ursamin) are among the classes of anxiety medications that function similarly to SNRIs or SSRIs. They are effective, but take a long time to start working. Medications that act on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system, like anticonvulsants like pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin), and tiagabine (Lamotrigine) can also be helpful for anxiety. GABAergic medications increase the activity of receptors that block neurotransmitters, reducing anxiety.
Beta-blockers are used to combat anxiety as well as heart issues. Propranolol (Benadryl) for instance can be prescribed off-label for performance anxiety for stage fright, for example, to decrease the adrenaline rush that causes shaking and a higher heart rate.
Off-label, other medications may also be prescribed to treat anxiety. One of these is hydroxyzine (Visitor) which is a potent antihistamine which can relax muscles and induce sleepiness. This is commonly used to treat anxiety accompanied by itching from allergies. Further research is needed for these medications however they are promising in preliminary studies.
Other Medical Treatments
For those suffering from long-term anxiety, psychiatric professionals recommend that they try other medications. They typically consist of a mix of antidepressants along with other kinds of drugs, such as sedatives and sleep medications. They are typically prescribed for a long time and have a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines but they can cause negative side effects like dry mouth and constipation.
Antidepressants are the first option for treating anxiety. These include selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine inhibitions (SNRIs), which focus on brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. These include citalopram (Celexa) and Escitalopram (Lexapro) sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil and Pexeva). Antidepressants such as duloxetine, Cymbalta and venlafaxine Effexor is also effective for those suffering from anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants such as mirtazapine (Remeron) can also be helpful.
Antidepressants and other medications that alter GABA the neurotransmitter have been shown to reduce anxiety. Pregabalin is one along with gabapentin and tiagabine. They affect calcium channels within the nervous system that reduces neurotransmitter releases. They also work in treating herpes and neuropathic neuralgia, as well as fibromyalgia, some seizures, and fibromyalgia.
A benzodiazepine may also be prescribed to treat anxiety-related symptoms that are acute. However it should be administered under medical supervision. These sedatives are addictive and can worsen the anxiety disorder in its initial. Psychologists have extensive experience in assessing your needs and developing an effective medication management plan that works for you.
The final medication that can be prescribed is an MAOI which is a more traditional type of drug that treats panic disorder and other social phobias by increasing the number of neurotransmitters in your body. These are typically prescribed at a low dose and increased gradually to prevent side negative effects like low sodium levels and nausea.
The best solution to anxiety disorders is a three-pronged one that includes psychotherapy, exercise and medication. Each person's approach to treatment is different, but the majority of people experience relief by combing these therapies. Your therapist can help you develop a cognitive behavioral therapy program that assists you in changing your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. They may also recommend accepting and committing therapy which teaches how to accept negative thoughts and fears instead of trying to push them aside.