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The Types of Medication to Help Anxiety

Anxiety is a common feeling that everyone experiences occasionally. Many people live with chronic anxiety that interferes with daily life. Chronic anxiety may cause physical symptoms like chest pain or rapid heart rate. Medication is used to treat these anxiety disorders. There are several types of anxiety medications. Most of them work by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain.

  1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

    • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) regulate the neurotransmitter serotonin, which has an effect on moods and anxiety. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, SSRIs are the primary medication used to treat anxiety disorders. SSRIs include Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Luvox, Celexa and Lexapro.

    Benzodiazepines

    • Benzodiazepines are another commonly prescribed anxiety medication. However, due to their potential for abuse, they are being used less often in favor of newer drugs like SSRIs. These drugs are central nervous system depressants. They relieve anxiety and relax muscles. Benzodiazepines include drugs like Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines tend to lose their effectiveness over time as tolerance builds up. This leads to overdosing, dependency and withdrawal symptoms.

    Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

    • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) work on two neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. When the neurotransmitters become unbalanced, depression and anxiety can occur. SNRIs work to restore norepinephrine and serotonin to their normal levels. These are drugs like Remeron, Cymbalta and Effexor. This class of anxiety drugs is used cautiously in people with high blood pressure and liver disease.

    Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

    • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the original medications used to treat depression. MAOIs are used at times to treat anxiety. MAOIs can have serious side effects. Sudden hypertension can occur after eating foods high in tyramine like cheese and wine. Hypertension can result from taking MAOIs in combination with other drugs and over-the-counter medicines. Fatal reactions are possible if MAOIs are taken in combination with SSRIs. MAOIs include Nardil, Parnate and Marplan.

    Tricyclic Antidepressants

    • Tricyclic antidepressants are older medications that are used when SSRIs fail. Due to their high risk of dangerous side effects like hypotension and mental disturbances, they are not normally a first choice medication to help anxiety. The drugs include Tofranil, Anafranil and Pamelor.

    Beta Blockers

    • Beta blockers include drugs like Inderal and Tenormin. These drugs work by blocking the physical symptoms of anxiety like rapid heart rate. They are only used to treat certain types of anxiety such as performance anxiety.

    Azapirones

    • BuSpar is an azapirone. This drug has few side effects and is not addictive. Because of this, BuSpar is used to treat alcoholics and drug abusers that have anxiety. BuSpar must be taken regularly to be effective. Results may not be seen during the first two weeks of therapy. BuSpar can have serious or fatal consequences if taken with MAOIs.

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