Anxiety and Medication Options

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether or not you should take medication.  While it can help alleviate the symptoms for some, it is often just a temporary fix and does not provide a cure.  Regardless, anxiety and medication use often go hand in hand.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI):

Doctors have many classes of medications to choose from in treating you properly.  The first of type of medication is known as SSRI.

An SSRI is an antidepressant.  It’s typically the doctor’s first choice because it has the fewest potential side effects.

SSRI include:

• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly)
• Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Like many antidepressants, SSRI use poses a risk.  There are a number of possible problems that can accompany its use.  Some possible side effects include stomach problems, headaches, insomnia, rashes, muscle and joint pain, nausea and diarrhea.  As strange as it may seem, one of the most serious side effects of most antidepressants is that of possible suicide.

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI):

If an SSRI doesn’t work, your doctor might prescribe an SNRI.

The SNRI choices are:

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR)

There really are dangers found in almost any antidepressant, whether prescribed for depression or anxiety disorders.  An SNRI, just like an SSRI, has been linked to teen suicides.

As disturbing as this potential side effect is, there are others.  These include stomach problems, nervousness, high blood pressure, nausea, tremors, disturbing dreams and dizziness. Also, some people using this drug developed the eating disorder anorexia nervosa or sexual dysfunction.

Tricyclic Antidepressants:

These are another class of medication prescribed for anxiety disorders.  These are very effective, however, they pose adverse side effects as well.

Tricyclics include:

• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Tricyclic antidepressants work since they block absorption of serotonin by brain cells, which is good.  The problem is, this drug blocks other cell receptors too, the ones you don’t want blocked.

The more severe side effects can include irregular heartbeat, decreased sexual ability, difficulty speaking, confusion and movement problems.

Benzodiazepines:

If your doctor decides not to go with an antidepressant, he may prescribe a mild sedative.  A class of these sedatives is benzodiazepine,

These drugs have real potential of being habit forming if taken over a lengthy period of time.  It does, however, work quickly at relieving anxiety disorder symptoms.

Types of Benzodiazepines are:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Besides potentially becoming habit forming, benzodiazepines can also cause lethargy, unsteadiness when you’re walking, decreased mental acuity, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness and memory loss.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):

Here is yet another type of antidepressant drug.  While you should be made aware that this drug exists, it’s not often prescribed.  The reason is due to the side effects which are potentially life-threatening.

In addition, if you use this form of medication your eating habits must be watched carefully because these drugs interacts badly with a lot of different foods.

MAQI drugs are:

• Phenelzine (Nardil)
• Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Selegiline (Emsam)

If your doctor prescribes these drugs, you need to reduce consumption of foods containing tyramine.  This compound is mostly found in different types of cheese, chocolates and pickled foods.

You will also have to cut down or completely eliminate, wine, beer and certain meats.  Taking MAQIs, along with eating these foods, can increase your blood pressure which can, in turn, cause a stroke.

Beta Blockers:

This type of medication is particularly useful for social anxiety disorder.  Typically used to correct irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and chest pain, they are effective in controlling these same physical symptoms in patients with anxiety related problems by constricting the flow of adrenaline into the body.

Typical drugs in this group are:

• Acebutolol (Sectral)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
• Carvedilol (Coreg)
• Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
• Nadolol (Corgard)
• Nebivolol (Bystolic)
• Propranolol (Inderal LA)

These drugs can be especially effective for people with specific phobias.  For instance, if you have a phobia about public speaking then you can calm your nerves by taking this medication prior to your speech.

As with other medications they do have potential side effects.  These include diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramping, vomiting, headaches, depression, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations and nightmares.

Bouncing Around

You should not be surprised if you bounce around from one drug to another during the first year.  This will happen as your doctor searches for the medication that works the best for you.

Try not to be too disappointed if it takes a few weeks or so to see any results as some drugs take awhile to be effective.