What Are the Top 10 Medications for Anxiety? Best Antianxiety Meds

Trifluoperazine is the only antipsychotic with approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anxiety. However, other doctors may recommend other types of antipsychotics as off-label treatments for anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) increase the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, like several other antidepressant medications, so can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety. However, they are also known to cause several intolerable side effects, as well as a high risk of overdose with low doses, so are not commonly prescribed 1.

They enhance the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, providing quick relief but for a short duration. They are effective in reducing physiological symptoms like tension and insomnia. While generally well-tolerated, prolonged use can lead to dependence. They’re not recommended for individuals with a history of addiction or severe suicidal tendencies.

SSRIs are one of the most commonly used types of medication for anxiety and are often a psychiatrist’s first choice for this purpose. SSRIs have been proven to be very effective for anxiety, are non-addictive, don’t cause memory impairment or interfere with psychotherapy, and have minimal side effects. When SSRIs do cause side effects, they usually subside within the first week.

Learn what these medicines are, how they work, their benefits, and their potential risks. Some anti-anxiety medications are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for only one specific use, while others may be prescribed for several uses. Medications can also be prescribed for uses that are not approved by the FDA but have been deemed necessary for treatment by a medical professional, known as off-label use. Azapirones are a class of medication that can be used to treat depression and anxiety. They work by increasing levels of serotonin, thus improving mood and symptoms of anxiety 18. There are several anti-anxiety medications available, such as antidepressants and anxiolytic drugs.

Currently, trifluoperazine is the only antipsychotic medication with approval from the FDA for treating anxiety disorders. Generally, doctors only recommend antipsychotics for anxiety disorders when other treatments have been ineffective. Medications can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, but they are often most effective when used along with psychotherapy. It is less sedating than many of the other commonly used anti-anxiety medications, and it is non-addictive and has a low risk of overdose. Possible side effects include dizziness, headache, nervousness, and trouble sleeping. Medications may be prescribed on-label (meaning they are FDA approved to treat a specific condition) or off-label (meaning they have not been FDA-approved for a particular condition).

Which Benzodiazepines Are Used for Anxiety?

They are recognized mental health conditions that can make it more difficult to cope with life’s ups and downs—even sometimes making it harder to enjoy or even participate in daily activities. SSRIs work by reducing the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing the concentration of serotonin in the brain. Research indicates that low serotonin levels negatively impact mood, anxiety, and sleep, so an increase of serotonin can help to improve these symptoms 9. Anxiety medications may interact with certain medications that you may be taking. Hence, it is important to discuss with your doctor if you are taking any medications or have any underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney or liver diseases, and Anti-Anxiety Drugs high blood pressure.

• Based on clinical studies, the effect of magnesium supplementation on anxiety symptoms may not be better than a sugar pill.
• Konkel lives in Haddon Township, New Jersey, with her husband, daughter, three cats, and dog.
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• SNRIs are another first-line anxiety medication and are considered as effective as SSRIs, although they can have more side effects.

Foods That Help Or Hurt Anxiety

GABA is a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other and it reduces brain activity. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety or other psychiatric disorders. There is also a risk that some anti-anxiety medications will be misused or abused. This risk is greater with benzodiazepines, especially alprazolam (which is commonly known by its brand name Xanax). Possible side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and vision issues. When used on occasion or short term, benzodiazepines have a low risk of addiction.

What is the most important information I should know about anxiety medications?

Each type of medication has a slightly different action, so impact varying symptoms and produce different side effects 1. 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. A doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker such as propranolol (Inderal) to help reduce your anxiety symptoms in stressful situations, such as when attending a party or giving a speech. If you take a benzodiazepine regularly for more than 2 weeks, do not stop taking the pills suddenly.

Also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, psychotherapy involves working with a therapist to reduce your anxiety symptoms. SSRIs are considered the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders and often have fewer adverse effects than other medications. They’re also used off-label to help relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety, especially in social anxiety disorder. Buspirone is used to treat both short-term anxiety and chronic (long-lasting) anxiety disorders. It’s not fully understood how buspirone works, but it’s thought to affect chemicals in the brain, like serotonin, that regulate mood. Certain anti-anxiety medications — particularly antidepressants — can potentially have serious side effects when you first start them.

FDA-approved medications to treat anxiety include SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, benzodiazepines, and hydroxyzine. Your doctor may prescribe another medication off-label if they think it is the best option to treat your condition. If you have persistent anxiety that affects your life on a recurrent basis, your symptoms may be caused by an anxiety disorder. Often, anxiety disorders are treatable with medication, counseling, and therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy. There are also a number of lifestyle methods that you can use to reduce your anxiety level. Nonetheless, when used appropriately, benzodiazepines can play an important role in the treatment of an anxiety disorder.