Medicine to Stop Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, occur often. For some people, behavioral therapy alone works. For others, they require a combination of behavioral and medication therapy to help ease the symptoms of an anxiety attack.

Statistics

• Each year, nearly 10 percent of healthy adults have an anxiety attack. These attacks usually last less than 30 minutes, according to the U.S. Surgeon General's Report of 1999.

SSRIs

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) help prevent anxiety attacks by influencing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps mood. Examples of SSRIs include Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac and Celexa.

Benzodiazepines

• Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium and Halcyon help anxiety attacks temporarily. They help with the physical symptoms of anxiety. Doctors discourage long-term use due to possible physical dependence.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

• According to the American Disorders Association of America, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) influence the concentrations of serotonin and norepinephrine. Both neurotransmitters affect anxiety attacks. Examples of this class of medications include Vivactil, Adapin and Elavil.

MAOIs

• To treat anxiety attacks, physicians may prescribe MAOIs like Nardil, which prevents the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine, says the American Disorders Association of America. Unfortunately, MAOIs have numerous serious side effects and potential interactions.