People With Social Anxiety Don’t Want To Be Alone
Nonetheless, when used appropriately, benzodiazepines can play an important role in the treatment of an anxiety disorder. For example, they are sometimes used in combination with an SSRI for the first few weeks of treatment before the SSRI reaches maximum efficacy. Long-term treatment with a benzodiazepine may be appropriate for some individuals with anxiety but is not considered to be first-line treatment and should only be used in this way under the care of a psychiatrist.
Buspirone. Buspar is a medication sometimes used to treat anxiety. Like SSRIs, buspirone works by influencing the neurons which use serotonin to communicate, but unlike SSRIs, which increase the amount of serotonin available to all serotonin receptors, buspirone affects only one specific subtype of serotonin receptor. An advantage of this selectivity is that buspirone does not cause the sexual side effects sometimes associated with SSRIs. Like SSRIs and SNRIs, buspirone may take 4-to-6 weeks to reach maximum efficacy.
Gabapentin. Neurontin is primarily used to treat seizures and nerve pain but is also used with some frequency by psychiatrists to treat anxiety. Like hydroxyzine, gabapentin works quickly and without many of the problems associated with benzodiazepines. However, there may be a withdrawal syndrome associated with gabapentin and some patients experience significant drowsiness. Like SSRIs, gabapentin may also be associated with an increased risk of suicide.
Side Effects Of Ssris
The improved tolerability of the SSRIs is attributable to their selectivity and to their absence of interaction with other receptors, such as histaminic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, and noradrenergic. Serotonin receptors comprise at least 7 classes, which are further divided at the subreceptor level. These receptors mediate a variety of functions unrelated to mood, including sleep, appetite, and sexual function, as well as symptoms such as pain, nausea, depression, and anxiety. By increasing the inhibition of serotonin reuptake, more of the neurotransmitter is available to interact with any of these receptors or subtype receptors. Therefore, most SSRI side effects are dose related and can be attributed to serotonergic effects. For example, nausea, a common side effect of SSRI therapy, most likely results from stimulation of 5-HT3 receptors and can usually be alleviated by reducing the dose of the SSRI. In contrast, fluoxetine-induced skin reactions are not dose related and apparently are idiosyncratic.
Side Effects Of Common Anxiety Medications
Youre probably wondering, what are the side effects of common anxiety medications?
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America , 3.1% of the U.S. population suffers from generalized anxiety disorder . Thats 6.8 million adults.
Many of those Americans are probably on anxiety medication, which is likely doing good things for some of them. The proper anxiety medicine in the right doses can allow people with anxiety disorders to manage their symptoms, aid in their recovery, and prevent relapse. Anxiety drugs also often come with side effects.
Part of understanding whether anxiety medication is right for you is knowing what the potential side effects are of the most commonly prescribed drugs and whether theyre okay with you.
Don’t Miss: What Can I Do About My Anxiety
Data Capture And Interpretation
Although information about the side effect profile of a given drug is available in both the drug manufacturer’s package insert and the Physicians’ Desk Reference , this method of obtaining drug information has limitations. Data included in product labeling are derived from the company-sponsored studies that have been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Uncommon, rare, and unpredictable drug-related adverse effects may not have emerged in clinical trials and may not be included in the PDR until the drug has been available for several years.
One measure of tolerability of any drug is continued patient use. Consequently, discontinuation rates during clinical trials have been used to measure the tolerability of a given drug. Fluvoxamine is associated with the highest discontinuation rates because of adverse events in clinical trials , followed by fluoxetine and sertraline . Discontinuation rates for any drug after release can be continually redefined using product labeling, published clinical trials, postmarketing surveillance, current literature, case reports, and clinical experience.
Which Drugs Or Supplements Interact With Anti
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors have many important drug interactions when they are used for the treatment of anxiety or other health conditions.
Patients should not take anxiolytic drugs with any of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor class of antidepressants or other drugs that inhibit MAOIs such as linezolid and intravenousmethylene blue. Examples of MAOIs include:
- procarbazine
Patients that take such combinations may develop confusion, high blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death. Patients may develop similar reactions if they combine SSRIs or SNRIs with other drugs that increase serotonin in the brain.
Combining SSRIs or SNRIs with warfarin, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other drugs that affect bleeding may increase the likelihood of patients developing upper gastrointestinal bleeding when these drugs are used for the treatment of anxiety or other health conditions.
Other drug interactions with anxiolytics
Read Also: What Is The Treatment For Anxiety
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Escitalopram comes as a tablet and a solution to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take escitalopram, take it at around the same time every day, in the morning or in the evening. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take escitalopram exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of escitalopram and increase your dose after 1 week.
It may take 1 to 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of escitalopram. Continue to take escitalopram even if you feel well. Do not stop taking escitalopram without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking escitalopram, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, agitation, nausea, dizziness, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet, anxiety, confusion, headache, sweating, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
Which Benzodiazepines Are Used For Anxiety
They can also be used with antidepressants initially while antidepressants take time to work.
“They’re a powerful tool,” says Duckworth, “but you have to be really smart about their use.”
- Light-headedness
- Trouble sleeping
Beta-blockers can be very helpful but in a limited way, says Dr. Salcedo. They are most commonly used for performance anxiety. They are really good for the physical symptoms such as heart racing, sweating, shakiness, but they work less well for the anxious thoughts that might be causing the symptoms.
Additional reporting by Carlene Bauer.
You May Like: How To Deal With Anxiety Naturally
Prominent Anxiety Medications That Do Not Cause Weight Gain
Anxiety medication that does not cause weight gain can include Effexor, Paxil and BuSpar. To know more about these antianxiety medicines, read on…
Anxiety medication that does not cause weight gain can include Effexor, Paxil and BuSpar. To know more about these antianxiety medicines, read on
Did You Know?By visualizing happy thoughts, our brain gets flooded with positive signals, thereby making us feel better. So, focus on positive thinking to lead a healthier life.
Becoming anxious beyond normal limits for no obvious reasons, is an anxiety disorder. It is estimated that around 40 million people residing in the United States suffer from anxiety disorders in a year. An effective form of treatment, recommended by doctors, involves use of anxiety medications. These medications relieve stress and give a feeling of relaxation. There are few side effects associated with the intake of anxiety medications, and one of them is weight gain.However, not all drugs prescribed for anxiety disorders cause significant weight gain.Some of them are given below:
What Medications Are Fda
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly prescribed to treat social anxiety disorder. The only SSRIs that are currently FDA-approved for this condition are and immediate- and extended-release . a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is also FDA-approved to treat social anxiety disorder.
SSRIs work by raising the levels of serotonin in your brain a chemical signal important for regulating mood and anxiety. Similarly, extended-release venlafaxine works by boosting brain levels of serotonin and norepinephrine a chemical signal important for regulating stress.
After starting these medications, it may take at least 4 to 6 weeks before experiencing any improvement in symptoms. For some people, it may take even up to 12 weeks before the condition improves.
People taking SSRIs and SNRIs may experience the following common side effects:
-
Nausea
-
Sexual difficulties, including lower sex drive and erectile dysfunction
-
Feeling too sleepy or having trouble falling asleep
When taking an SSRI or venlafaxine, its important to know that these medications have a boxed warning a strict warning issued by the FDA due to the potential risk for self-harm and suicidal thinking or behaviors. This risk is higher for people under 25 years old.
If you notice any sudden mood or behavior changes after starting your medication, contact your provider right away.
Also Check: Can Anxiety Cause Ocular Migraines
Can A Placebo Replace Your Antidepressant
Media outlets were abuzz early this year with the news that antidepressant drugs don’t get rid of depression. The source was a Jan. 6, 2010, report in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association analyzing data from six clinical trials of antidepressants conducted between 1980 and 2009, involving 718 patients. The study concluded that when people with mild or even moderate depression took a pill, their symptoms improved. The kicker: The improvement was the same, on average, whether the pill was a real drug or a lookalike placebo. Only among people with more severe symptoms did the real drugs have an edge over the placebo.
Studies like those make great headlines. Far more complicated is how to apply the findings in real life. You can’t diagnose or track depression with a blood test or an X-ray. Assessing improvement relies completely on the patient’s subjective reporting of his or her state of mind. Plenty of studies have shown that the drugs work, though placebo effects are notoriously high in antidepressant trials, and the drugs’ advantage over placebos is usually modest.
If you’re not sure you need an antidepressant any more, talk with your doctor about reducing the dose or weaning off of it. Never stop an antidepressant suddenly or on your own you may be risking severe withdrawal symptoms.
How Do I Know If I Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The first step is to rule out the possibility that your symptoms are being caused by a medical condition that is not psychiatric. Among the conditions that produce symptoms similar to those of anxiety are hyperthyroidism or other endocrine problems, too much or too little calcium, low blood sugar, and certain heart problems. Certain medicines also can sometimes cause anxiety. A thorough evaluation by your health care provider will determine if any of these conditions are the cause of your symptoms.
If no other medical culprit can be found and the symptoms seem out of proportion to any situation you are facing, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Recommended Reading: How To Overcome Phone Anxiety
Escitalopram May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- nausea
- changes in sex drive or ability
- drowsiness
- problems with thinking, concentration, or memory
- seizures
Escitalopram may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
Which Medications Work Best For Social Anxiety Disorder
Although many medications may be prescribed for social anxiety disorder, SSRIs and extended-release venlafaxine are considered first-choice medications. Research shows that more than half of those taking these medications experienced an improvement in their symptoms.
SSRIs and venlafaxine also have a lower risk of side effects than other antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants . These medications can help treat other symptoms that people with social anxiety disorder may experience, such as depression. Among sertraline, paroxetine, and venlafaxine, there is no particular medication that has been found to be more effective than the others for social anxiety disorder.
Also Check: Does Marijuana Help With Anxiety
Want To Beat Depression For Yourself Or A Friend
W. Nate Upshaw, MD
Dr. William Nathan Upshaw is the Medical Director of NeuroSpa TMS®. Since receiving training from the inventor of TMS Therapy nearly a decade ago, Dr. Upshaw has been a pioneer, champion and outspoken advocate of TMS Therapy. Dr. Upshaws holistic experience in the field has transformed him into Floridas leading advocate for widespread accessibility to TMS Therapy.
All anxiety medications come with a long list of potential side effects. The side effects of anxiety medications, also called anxiolytics, include sleepiness, fatigue, and a slowing of mental functioning. Depending on their class, these medications may also be habit-forming or even addictive. They can help level out panic attacks and reduce anxiety attacks to a manageable level. Some can produce lasting relief, while others shouldnt be used for more than a short-term period.
What Are Common Classes of Anxiety Medications?
If youre exploring how to find the right anxiety medication, its important to learn all you can about them. Physicians prescribe fast-acting anxiety medications to reduce either the immediate effects of an anxiety attack or to work over the long term to reduce day to day anxiety thats uncomfortable but doesnt rise to the urgency of a panic attack or anxiety attack. Some of the most common medications include Valium and Xanax.
Common Anti-Anxiety Medication Side Effects
Benzodiazepine side effects
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors Side Effects
What Are Ssris And Snris
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft and Prozac, and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like Effexor and Pristiq are antidepressant medications, but they can help with anxiety symptoms as well. For this reason, many providers will prescribe an SSRI or SNRI if you have a combination of depression and anxiety.
SSRIs and SNRIs are not an instant fix for symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder, nor do they even provide immediate relief, Alonzo said. They work by interacting with the neurotransmitters and receptors in your brain, which can help regulate mood, sleep and energy levels. It is important for patients to understand that these medications may take four to six weeks for full effect.
Some patients may respond better to one of these medications than others. If after taking the medication for two weeks and symptoms have not improved, talk to your provider to have your medication regimen adjusted. Treatment trials with more than one medication are not uncommon.
You May Like: Why Do I Have Anxiety All The Time