Anxiety disorder patients use medication to reduce the severity of their symptoms, helping them function and perform their daily activities. Some of the medications for anxiety can be addictive, such as benzodiazepines, and are used only on a short-term basis. Other anti-anxiety medications can be used on a long-term basis without the risk of addiction. Patients may need to try more than one medication to find the one that works the best for them.
Buspirone
Buspirone acts as a mild tranquilizer, relieving anxiety by increasing serotonin and decreasing dopamine, according to Helpguide.org. The medication takes two weeks to start treating anxiety symptoms, compared to 30 to 60 minutes for benzodiazepines. Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone can be used for more than a few weeks. Buspirone is prescribed for patients who have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Side effects of buspirone include dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, diarrhea, headaches, constipation, dizziness and upset stomach.
Beta Blockers
Another non-addictive anxiety medication, beta blockers treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, like a rapid heart rate. These medications are prescribed to patients with social phobias who are greatly affected by the physical symptoms of anxiety. Beta blockers do not treat the emotional symptoms of anxiety, and are prescribed off-label. Generic versions of beta blockers that are given for anxiety are propranolol and atenolol. Helpguide.org states that side effects of beta blockers include sleepiness, nausea, light-headedness and an unusually slow pulse.
Antidepressants
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) states that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the first choice for anxiety medication. SSRIs are particularly effective with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and SNRIs with GAD. These medications can take four to six weeks to start treating symptoms. Side effects of SSRIs are insomnia, weight gain and sexual dysfunction, while the side effects of SNRIs are stomach upset, headaches and sexual dysfunction. Helpguide.org notes that withdrawal can be an issue if the medication is discontinued too quickly.
