Various anxiety disorders--including social phobia, general anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder--are treated with some form of medication. Treatment also may include therapy and counseling. There are several general categories for anti-anxiety medications and many medications under each category.
Antidepressants
According to the Mayo Clinic, antidepressants help control the neurotransmitter brain chemicals. These neurotransmitters may be part of what causes anxiety disorders. Antidepressants used to treat anxiety include Prozac (generic: fluoxetine), Tofranil (generic: imipramine), Paxil (generic: paroxetine), Effexor (generic: venlafaxine), Lexapro (generic: escitalopram) and Zoloft (generic: sertaline). Side effects from fluoxetine may include restlessness, a skin rash, chills, fever, anxiety and confusion. Side effects from sertaline may include decreased libido, aggressiveness, fever, restlessness and loss of bladder control. Paroxetine may cause cold sweats, difficulty breathing, muscle pain and chest pain. Imipramine may cause stomach pain, out-of-control actions, anxiety and bleeding gums. Venlafaxine can produce such side effects as blurry vision, headaches, chest pain, mood changes and high blood pressure. Escitalopram may cause dizziness, nausea, reduced urination and even comas.
Benzodiazepines
These essentially are sedatives, but may help with short-term anxiety. They include Xanax (generic: alprazolam), Librium (generic: chlordiazepoxide), Valium (generic: diazepam), Activan (generic: lorazepam) and Klonopin (generic: clonazepam). Side effects of alprazolam include forgetfulness, clumsiness, drowsiness, irritability and aloofness. Chlordiazepoxide may cause mental changes, shakiness, trembling, chills, fainting and convulsions. Diazepam may cause stomach pain, anxiety, blurry vision and shakiness. Lorazepam, which also is available as an injection, may cause bleeding gums, drowsiness and anxiety. Clonazepam may cause a cough, breathing difficulties, sadness, fevers and headaches.
Buspirone
BuSpar (generic: buspirone) is designed specifically as an anti-anxiety pill. It may work by affecting serotonin levels in the brain, but according to the Mayo Clinic, medical researchers are not certain exactly how it works. Side effects can include accelerated heart rate, depression, a sore throat, fever, confusion and chest pains.
