A person experiencing anxiety can have several symptoms, such as excessive worry, fears and anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks. An anxiety attack can have a sudden onset; the person may begin shaking, experience a rise in blood pressure, have heart palpitations, begin sweating, feel nauseous or feel he is going to die. Often these attacks have no obvious cause. Anxiety attacks become problematic when they occur frequently and are uncontrollable. Many drugs available to help control and eliminate these symptoms.
Benzodiazepines
The most effective drugs used to address the immediacy of a panic attack are anti-anxiety medications called benzodiazepines. According to HelpGuide, these medications work on the central nervous system by acting as a mild sedative. These are used at the first sign of an impending anxiety attack and can take 30 to 60 minutes to begin working. Once the drug begins taking effect the person is then able to relax, and breathing and heart rate return to normal. Benzodiazepines are meant to be used on a short-term basis because of their addictive qualities. Some of these medications are Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan. Common side effects include drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, nausea and over-sedation.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Antidepressants are often used as a first course of treatment for anxiety and are preferred over benzodiazepines. SSRIs are effective because they block the reuptake of serotonin, a chemical that enhances mood. HelpGuide reports that it can take four to six weeks for this class of drugs to be effective and is not used at the onset of anxiety attacks. SSRIs work well over time to reduce overall anxiety and in turn induce a feeling of well-being, thus reducing the risk of an attack. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), these medications are effective and safe because of low risk of serious side effects. Common side effects are sleep disturbances, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. Some of the more commonly used medications are Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Another class of antidepressants is SNRIs. The ADAA describes that SNRIs are used much like SSRIs in that they make serotonin more available to the brain but also work to block the stress hormone norepinephrine. Side effects are similar to SSRIs and in addition can include an increase in blood pressure. Cymbalta and Effexor are some of the commonly prescribed SNRIs.
