Anxiety Medicine & Side Effects

There are different types of medications commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Each drug class has a different set of common side effects. Psychiatric medications should only be used under the guidance of a physician or psychiatrist.

SSRIs and NSRIs

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, are frontline antidepressants used to treat anxiety and depression. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Effexor, are antidepressants that work on blocking reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Common side effects include jitteriness, agitation, restlessness, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea and sexual dysfunction.

Benzodiazepines

• Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, are sedatives used for acute anxiety and panic attacks. Common side effects include dependency (physical), sedation, drowsiness, impaired judgment and (rarely) agitation.

Tricyclics

• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Pamelor, are often used to treat panic attacks. Common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, sexual dysfunction, blurred vision and hypotension.

MAOIs

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Nardil, are an older class of medication used if newer antidepressants are achieving no benefit. Common side effects include weight gain, hypotension, sexual dysfunction, headache, fatigue and insomnia. You also need to avoid certain foods and medications containing the ingredient tyramine.

Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers, such as Inderal, are commonly used to tread the bodily symptoms of anxiety and panic. Common side effects include hypotension, fatigue, dizziness and drowsiness.

BuSpar

• BuSpar is in its own drug class and is prescribed to enhance the effects of antidepressants in treating anxiety. Common side effects include lethargy, nausea, dizziness and paradoxical anxiety.