For some anxiety sufferers, the condition impairs their lives. If anxiety-reducing techniques have not helped reduce your level of anxiety, medication may be the answer. Each type of anxiety medication interacts with different neurotransmitters, so you may need to try a few different types of medication to find the one that is right for you.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Serotonin is an essential neurotransmitter; lower levels of serotonin have been linked to anxiety disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, prevents the presynaptic cell from reabsorbing serotonin, and results in the postsynaptic cell taking in more serotonin. Examples of SSRIs for anxiety treatment include Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants control the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, another neurotransmitter involved with anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants work like SSRIs by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine absorbed by the postsynaptic cell. Examples of tricyclic antidepressants for anxiety treatment are Adapin, Vivactil, Anafranil, Tofranil, Aventyl, Surmontil, Elavil, Sinequan, Pamelor, Norpramin and Ludiomil.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, also regulate serotonin and norepinephrine, as tricyclic antidepressants do. However, MAOIs can interfere with other medications, so tell your doctor about other medications you are taking. Types of MAOIs that are prescribed for anxiety include Marplan, Nardil and Parnate.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety specific medications, or anxiolytic. Benzodiazepines act on the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, but the mechanism for reducing anxiety is not known. However, benzodiazepines can be addictive, since ethanol acts on the GABA receptor as well. Types of benzodiazepines are Ativan, Xanax, Dalmane, Valium, Klonopin, Tranxene, Halcion, Serax, Librium and Restoril.
Atypical Antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotics are usually given with another medication if only some of the symptoms are treated by the primary medication. Atypical antipsychotics affect the concentration of serotonin in the patient's brain. Atypical antipsychotics that are prescribed for anxiety treatment include Abilify, Zyprexa, Geodon, Seroquel and Risperdal.
