Risks Of Anxiety Disorder Medications
Like any medication, those designated for anxiety disorders can carry some risks. There are a range of side effects, which, depending on the medication, can include dry mouth, diarrhea/constipation, lower appetite, sleep issues, nausea and heartburn. Some medications can also spark feelings of nervousness, irritability or, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. Because these side effects can pose significant health problems, a doctor should be consulted if any of them appear.
Patients should also make sure their physicians know about anything they may be taking that could interfere with anxiety disorder medications. That includes over-the-counter drugs, herbal or vitamin supplements, other medications or even regular consumption of caffeine or alcohol.
Finally, anxiety disorder medications such as benzodiazepines carry the risk of abuse and addiction. Some medications can have a powerful effect on the brain and if they are taken frequently, a tolerance can develop. That means more of the medication needs to be taken to obtain the desired effect, and continued, accelerated use can lead to dependency. If the medication dependency interferes with a persons daily life and take the drug becomes the sole focus, it can indicate a possible addiction. People who abuse antidepressants and benzodiazepines over a long period of time may also suffer withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop using the medication.
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Benzodiazepine Anxiety Addiction Connection
Firstly, some of the characteristics of someone who suffers from anxiety can include an addictive personality. When profiling those with clinical mood disorders, its been found that there is a connection between how easy it is for them to become addicted. Benzodiazepines are addictive, this is clear. They can lead to physical and psychological dependence which can cause uncomfortable, even deadly, withdrawal symptoms. The brain becomes altered when you take benzos, which can cause disruption if stopped cold turkey. If you dont seek out medical detox, you could experience a seizure. For those who legitimately take normal doses as prescribed by their doctor, theres a small percentage of dependency. Its when someone abuses benzodiazepines that it becomes problematic.
I Need Relief And I Need It Now
So where does that leave you if youre suffering? Even when anxiety relief comes with side effects and dangers, that can still sound like a fair trade when panic and fear are ruling your life.
The bottom line is that theres a time and place for anxiety medication. If you have severe anxiety thats interfering with your ability to function, medication may be helpfulespecially as a short-term treatment. However, many people use anti-anxiety medication when therapy, exercise, or other self-help strategies would work just as well or better, minus the drawbacks.
Anxiety medications can ease symptoms, but theyre not right for everyone and theyre not the only answer. Its up to you to evaluate your options and decide whats best for you.
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How Do Antidepressant Medications Help
Antidepressant medications help reduce the symptoms of depression, such as: feeling extremely sad for no clear reason loss of interest or pleasure in things you usually enjoy sleeping too much or too little feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt or worry, and difficulty in thinking, making decisions or concentration. Antidepressants may also be helpful in the treatment of anxiety-related disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder and eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.Discuss with your doctor what the best treatment for your symptoms is likely to be, any side-effects as well as benefits of treatments, and other factors such as foods which may need to be avoided.
Is Brand Name Better
Generic Is the Same, Usually
The US Food and Drug Administration says that the safety, strength, and quality of generic drugs are equal to those of brand-name drugs. However, in practical experience, some people notice that they do not experience the same benefits from a generic drug compared to the brand-name version. Results of some studies suggest generic medications may be absorbed and used by the body slightly differently than brand-name drugs. If you notice a generic medicine is not working as well as a brand-name medicine did for you, tell your physician.
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How Long Does It Take For Effexor To Work
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
If youve been diagnosed with depression or one of several common anxiety disorders, you may have been prescribed the medication Effexor®.
Effexor, which is currently sold as Effexor XR® and generic venlafaxine, is a popular medication thats used to treat depression and several forms of anxiety.
Its been around for decades and is used by millions of people worldwide.
Research shows that Effexor is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. However, like with other medications, it usually requires several weeks to start working.
Below, weve explained what Effexor is, as well as how it works as a treatment for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Weve also explained how long it usually takes for Effexor to start working, as well as the steps that you can take to get the best possible results while using Effexor.
How Long Did Lexapro Take To Kick In For Me
Not long. I noticed Lexapro working or facilitating an effect almost immediately. Although Lexapro failed to reduce my anxiety and depression , I noticed its effect on the very first day of treatment. I experienced a combination of: perceptual changes, altered thinking, and side effects within the first 24 hours of Lexapro administration.
Couldnt this have been a nocebo effect? Yes, its possible that my response to Lexapro couldve been a nocebo effect. However, it is important to consider that I initiated Lexapro treatment immediately after giving Celexa an 8-week trial. In other words, there was no significant time gap between my trial of Celexa and initiating treatment with Lexapro, a medication with a nearly identical pharmacologic profile.
Due to the lack of time gap between treatments, my guess is that preexisting neurophysiologic adaptations from Celexa such as: 5-HT1A receptor downregulation and BDNF upregulation remained in place when I started Lexapro. For this reason, I think Lexapro was able to kick in immediately simply picking up where the Celexa left off.
Lexapro contains the same active enantiomer as Celexa, meaning it theoretically should facilitate a very similar effect this was consistent with my experience. My psychiatrist instructed me to use Lexapro for at least 8 weeks and to gradually titrate the dosage upwards . Personally I didnt notice much difference between Lexapro and Celexa other than the fact that I felt slightly worse on Lexapro.
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The Role Of Medication In Anxiety Treatment
When youre overwhelmed by heart-pounding panic, paralyzed by fear, or exhausted from yet another sleepless night spent worrying, youll do just about anything to get relief. And theres no question that when anxiety is disabling, medication may help. But are drugs always the best answer?
Many different types of medications are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including traditional anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines and newer options like SSRI antidepressants . These drugs can provide temporary relief, but they also come with side effects and safety concernssome significant.
They are also not a cure. In fact, there are many questions about their long-term effectiveness. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, benzodiazepines lose their therapeutic anti-anxiety effect after 4 to 6 months of regular use. And a recent analysis reported in JAMA Psychiatry found that the effectiveness of SSRIs in treating anxiety has been overestimated, and in some cases is no better than placebo.
Whats more, it can be very difficult to get off anxiety medications without difficult withdrawals, including rebound anxiety that can be worse than your original problem.
How Much Does Cymbalta Cost
Cymbalta, the brand name medication, is also available in a generic form as duloxetine, which is substantially less expensive than Cymbalta. Cymbalta is covered by some commercial insurance plans and may be covered by Medicare and Medicaid, but the generic version of the medication is covered by nearly all plans. Regardless of your insured status, it is possible to find both the generic and brand name versions of the drug at a lower price by using a pharmacy discount card. The following table compares the costs of a 30 day supply of Cymbalta and duloxetine.
Costs of a 30-Day Supply of Cymbalta and Duloxetine
Cymbalta
$22.94
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When Its Time To Take Medication
All that being said, there are people who do benefit from taking anti-anxiety medication in addition to the above treatments. While there is no definitive time or sign to start medication, the general consensus among experts is this: When anxiety starts to significantly affect your ability to function in your everyday life, it might be time to try it.
In other words, if you feel overwhelmed or paralyzed by anxiety, if you have trouble focusing at work, if your relationships are suffering or if your health is deteriorating, reach out to a doctor. And remember, theres no shame in doing so. Mental health medication can be just as essential as heart medication or anything else. And for those of us who have a genetic predisposition, anxiety can be especially responsive to a prescription, Hudson said.
Today, the most common medications prescribed for anxiety are actually antidepressants, known as SSRIs . Examples include Zoloft, Lexapro and Prozac. Theyre intended to help patients manage anxiety in the long run, according to Dr. Michael Genovese, a clinical psychiatrist and chief medical officer of Acadia Healthcare in Nashville, Tennessee.
Benzodiazepines, which include Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin, are also used to treat anxiety but in the short term. They are meant to be used for intense anxiety and for brief periods of time, due to dangerous side effectssuch as dependency and withdrawal.
How To Take Celexa
Celexa is a typical SSRI: Its prescribed as an oral tablet or liquid. It should be taken daily, at the same time, and can be taken with or without food.
So, how long does it take for Celexa to work? Good news: Results may occur in as soon as one week or take up to four weeks.
Note: Even if you feel good, dont just stop taking your Celexa medication, as missing doses could cause side effects.
Numbness, tingling, sweating, anxiety, confusion, headaches, nausea and more can all result from withdrawal.
A doctor will likely take you off of this medication gradually by slowly lowering the dosages to prevent any negative effects.
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How Does Clonidine Help Reduce Anxiety
Clonidine works by reducing the over-reaction of the brain and nervous system.
In addition, it reduces the physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as:
- Racing heart
- Trembling gastrointestinal upsets
- Sweating
Moreover, Clonidine has positively affected both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of anxiety by reducing feelings of:
- Worry
- Self-consciousness
- Rumination
When used in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy, treatments it helps patients regain some control over their lives by learning how to cope better with the less controllable aspects of anxiety.
Luckily, Clonidine for anxiety does not give patients a feeling of euphoria. Sometimes, experts recommend the drug for lowering body temperature and decreasing heart rate plus blood pressure.
Common side effects related to clonidine use are:
- Drowsiness
For these reasons, careful consideration needs to be taken to prevent the drug from affecting your daily activities. Nonetheless, you can alleviate the problem by taking the pill a few hours before going to bed.
How Fast Do Anxiety Meds Work
It depends on what type of medication you are prescribed. There are many different types of anxiety medications, and they all work differently. Generally you can think of anxiety meds in 2 categories:
- Long-term medications are helpful if you feel anxious most days for a significant part of the day. They must be taken every day for several weeks before you feel the full effect.
- Short-term medications are helpful during brief episodes of intense anxiety, such as a panic attack. These medications take effect almost immediately and usually start to wear off within a few hours. They should not be taken daily unless your doctor explicitly recommends it.
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Zoloft For Anxiety: Is Zoloft Good For Anxiety When Does It Start Working
Living with anxiety can make daily life difficult. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for anxiety that can help people find relief from their symptoms. Zoloft is one medication that may help. In this guide, well explain to you what Zoloft is and how to take it for anxiety.
What Is Cymbalta Used To Treat
Cymbalta is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder and other physical and mental health conditions, including general anxiety disorder in adults and children who are at least seven years old, diabetic neuropathy, and fibromyalgia. A brief explanation of each of these conditions and their associated symptoms is provided below.
Clinical Depression/Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is a mental health condition characterized by intense, persistent feelings of sadness that last for at least two weeks or more. The condition impacts all areas of a persons life, including sleeping patterns, appetite, mood, and behaviors. It is common for people with major depressive disorder to lose interest in hobbies or activities that they once enjoyed, experience difficulty performing daily tasks, and experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The following symptoms are commonly associated with major depressive disorder:
- Difficult concentrating and low energy
- Mood swings
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, hopelessness, or helplessness
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Fibromyalgia
The FDA also now lets you take Cymbalta for other types of chronic pain such as diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, back pain, and more.
Diabetic neuropathy
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How Fast Does Valium Work For Anxiety
As a medication that is designed to help with anxiety, Valium can help with anxiety symptoms within an hour. However, it can take up to two weeks to feel the full effects of this medication.
If you prefer going the drug-free way, try wearing one of the anti-anxiety rings that can help you calm your mind.
Related: Adderall for Anxiety, Melatonin for Anxiety.
How Do I Know What Dose Of Cymbalta To Take
Your healthcare provider will determine the right dose of Cymbalta for each patient based on their age, the form of the medication they take, and the condition being treated. SSNRIs like Cymbalta often need to be adjusted several times before the right dose is found, so expect your doctor to make changes to your medication as needed. Adults with clinical depression generally take an initial dose of 40 mg per day, taken as one 20 mg release capsule twice per day. Your doctor may choose to gradually increase your dose over time to a maintenance dose of 60 mg per day, taken either as one 30 mg capsule twice per day or one 60 mg capsule per day. The maximum daily dosage for treatment of clinical depression should not exceed 120 mg per day, even if you are off schedule and need to miss your next dose.
Adults with generalized anxiety disorder typically take one 60 mg capsule of Cymbalta per day with a maximum dosage that should not exceed 120 mg per day. Elderly patients are more likely to experience side effects when taking Cymbalta, so they are typically treated at an initial dose of 30 mg. Children taking Cymbalta typically begin treatment at a dose of 30 mg per day before increasing to 60 mg per day, with a maximum of 120 mg per day.
Patients taking Cymbalta for treatment of fibromyalgia or diabetic peripheral neuropathy typically take a dose of 60 mg once per day. Current studies do not support taking a dose higher than 60 mg per day for additional benefit.
- Irritability
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