Although there is no medication that is prescribed to treat both generalized anxiety and alcohol abuse, there are many medication options for each condition. Those struggling with generalized anxiety and alcohol abuse should not only learn about what medication options are available, but also the potential interaction between medications intended for alcohol abuse recovery and those treating generalized anxiety.
Medications for Alcohol Abuse
Three main medications are used to treat alcoholism: disulfiram, naltrexone and acomprosate. Disulfiram is designed to cause adverse physical reactions if combined with alcohol. These adverse reactions can include throbbing in the head and neck, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, heart palpitations, sweating, extreme thirst, breathing difficulties, hyperventilation, confusion, vertigo, blurred vision, weakness and flushing, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Naltrexone, on the other hand, does not produce unpleasant reactions if alcohol is consumed but instead blocks the chemicals in the brain that obtain satisfaction and pleasure from alcohol. Naltrexone is available as an oral medication or as an extended-release injectable medication. Finally, acomprosate is used to eliminate or reduce withdrawal symptoms that occur when an alcoholic stops drinking.
Medications for Generalized Anxiety
There is a wide variety of medications prescribed for generalized anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are most commonly prescribed due to their effectiveness and mild side effects, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Commonly prescribed SSRI medications include cialopram, escitalopram, fluxetine, fluxamine, paraxetine and sertraline, and commonly prescribed SNRI medications include venlafazine and duloxetine. Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline, doxepin and clominpramine, are sometimes prescribed, but are often not a front-line medication as they often come with unwelcome side effects. Other medication options for generalized anxiety may include buspirone, benzodiazepines or the antipsychotic medications aripiprazole, olanzapine, paliperidone, risperidone and ziprasidone.
Interactions
Disulfiram can react negatively to several medications that may be prescribed in relation to the treatment of anxiety, warns SAMHSA. Benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, isoniazid, rifampin, metronidazole, phenytoin, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, amitriptyline and desipramine are all medications that will negatively interact with disulfiram. Patients should talk to their doctors or therapists about these interactions and create an alternate treatment plan. Acamprostate can increase naltrexone blood levels, according to SAMHSA, but no other significant interactions with other medications have been found in clinical trials. Naltrexone does have some possible interaction concerns with certain pain and antidiarrheal medications, but does not negatively interact with any anti-anxiety medications. Regardless of the medication, however, it is important for all patients to tell their doctors about all medications they are currently taking before beginning another medication.
