People suffering from an anxiety disorder have a wide variety of medications available that may help. Benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and other medications are types of medication commonly prescribed in the treatment of anxiety. Each type of medication has its own intended purpose and side effects, so anxiety sufferers should talk to a doctor to determine which type of anxiety medication would be most appropriate for them.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepine medications are intended to reduce muscle tension and other physical symptoms of anxiety to encourage relaxation. Long-term use of this type of medication may lead to problems of dependence and tolerance, so it is generally only prescribed for short-term use, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Types of benzodiazepine medication include alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, oxazepam, chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants can be an effective treatment of anxiety symptoms, according to Dr. Reid Wilson of the HealthyPlace website, but may cause unwelcome side effects like constipation, urinary retention, blurry vision, dry mouth and a drop in blood pressure when standing. Some tricyclic antidepressants that are prescribed for anxiety treatment include amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline, doxepin and clominpramine.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are effective at relieving anxiety symptoms and generally have less side effects than tricycle antidepressants, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. However, like many medications, they are not completely without side effects. Insomnia, sleepiness, sexual dysfunction and weight gain may all occur with use of this type of medication. Citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline are some medications included in this category of anxiety medications.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, also can be used to treat anxiety, the Mayo Clinic reports. Side effects include upset stomach, insomnia, headaches, sexual dysfunction and a minor increase in blood pressure. Like SSRIs, the effectiveness of this type of medication and the mildness of the side effects make it a first-line treatment, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Venlafazine and duloxetine are two SNRI medications that doctors may prescribe for anxiety.
Other Options
Buspirone is another medication that can be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. While it does take longer to work, it does not have the tolerance or dependency issues that benzodiazepine medications have, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. In addition, antipsychotic medication is sometimes also used at low doses for the treatment of anxiety. Some antipsychotic medication that may be prescribed include aripiprazole, olanzapine, paliperidone, risperidone and ziprasidone.
