Antianxiety drugs

Written by Last updated October 10, 2020 Anxiety drugs are prescribed to millions of individuals suffering from anxiety and stress. In this article, we will take a look at common anxiety drug side effects, and examine the reasons why anxiety medications are often not recommended. Common Side Effects of Modern Anxiety Medications Clumping all anxiety drugs together is misleading. Some have more side effects than others, just like some are stronger than others. Benzodiazepines can have some fairly pronounced side effects, while buspirone generally has fewer, but buspirone is also much weaker which is why most doctors prefer to prescribe benzodiazepines. Even within the benzodiazepine class there are different side effects for different medications. But the most common side effects of anxiety medicines are as follows: Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, etc.): • Hypotension (low blood pressure) • Decreased sex drive/libido • Nausea • Lack of coordination • Disinhibition • Depression • Unusual emotional dysfunction, including anger and violence • Memory loss • Difficulty thinking • Decreased IQ Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs): • Sexual dysfunction • Headache • Dizziness/drowsiness • Diarrhea • Weight loss/gain Both drugs may also cause what's known as "paradoxical effects," where in some cases the person may experience a worsening of symptoms rather than an improvement. In some, this may be more anxiety. In others, this can even be severe suicidal ideation and possibly even action....

• Be sure to take your medications exactly as prescribed. • If you are having serious side effects, consult your healthcare provider. • Do not stop your medication without talking to a doctor as this can cause serious health issues. Anxiety medication can provide relief for people who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or anxiety disorders. Some anxiety medications can be taken as needed when a person is feeling anxious. In other cases, medications need to be taken regularly in order to provide more lasting relief. SNRIs are another first-line anxiety medication and are considered as effective as SSRIs, although they can have more side effects. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Like SNRIs, TCAs block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. And they've been found effective for treating various anxiety disorders. Although they are just as effective as SSRIs in treating anxiety disorders, TCAs tend to cause significant side effects, including dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, trouble urinating, and hypotension (low blood pressure on standing). For these reasons, TCAs are usually only prescribed when other drugs don't provide relief. Benzodiazepines can help treat anxiety short-term, on an as-needed basis, but aren't recommended for long-term use due to an increased risk of dependence. Anxiety Medication Risks Anxiety medications have some important risks you should be aware of. These risks can differ a bit between the drug classes. Talk with your healthcare provi...

Brand Name (Generic Name) Possible Common Side Effects Include: Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) Drowsiness, dry mouth Ativan (lorazepam) Dizziness, excessive calm, weakness BuSpar, Buspirone (bus- pirone hydrochloride) Dry mouth, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea Centrax (pazepam) Decreased coordination, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, weakness Librium, Libritabs (chlordiazepoxide) swelling Miltown, Equanil (meprobamate) Diarrhea, bruising, nausea, rash, slurred speech Serax (oxazepam) Dizziness, problems, decreased coordination, nausea, swelling, vertigo Stelazine (trifluoperazine hydrochloride) Abnormal glucose in urine, allergic reactions, blurred vision, constipation, eye spasms, fluid retention and swelling Tranxene, Tranxene-SD (clorazepate dipotassium) Drowsiness Valium (diazepam) Decreased coordination, drowsiness, light-headedness Purpose Antianxiety agents, or anxiolytics, may be used to treat mild transient bouts of anxiety as well as more pronounced episodes of social phobia and specific phobia. Clinically significant anxiety is marked by several symptoms. The patient experiences marked or persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which he or she is exposed to unfamiliar people or possible scrutiny by others, and may react in a humiliating or embarrassing way. The exposure to the feared situation produces an anxiety attack. Fear of these episodes of anxiety leads to avoidance behavior, which impairs normal social functioning, incl...

An antidepressant is the name given to a medicine that can help relieve the symptoms of Antidepressants are classified into different types depending on their structure and the way that they work. There are at least seven types of antidepressant: • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) • Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) • Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) • Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs) • And miscellaneous antidepressants. MAOIs and TCAs were among the first antidepressants developed. They have largely been superseded by newer antidepressants (such as the SSRIs) that have fewer side effects, although these older antidepressants may still suit certain people or be effective when other antidepressants have been ineffective. Experts are not sure exactly how antidepressants work, but historically they were thought to work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and/or norepinephrine, in the brain. This does not appear to be the way they work for depression, although, they are still effective at treating depression. What are antidepressants used for? Antidepressants help to relieve the symptoms of depression such as low mood, irritability, feelings of worthlessness, restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty in sleeping. In addition to depression, certai...

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Anxiolytics, or anti-anxiety drugs, are a category of drugs used to prevent anxiety and treat anxiety related to several anxiety disorders. These drugs tend to work rather quickly and can be habit-forming. Because of this, they’re usually only prescribed for short-term use. They aren’t recommended for people with a history of substance misuse or addiction. Primarily, anxiolytics are used to treat symptoms of anxiety disorders, including Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include extreme worry or fear that lasts more than six months. Social phobia is the deep fear of social situations, such as meeting new people or speaking and performing in public. Social phobia can cause physical symptoms like profuse sweating and nausea. Over time, this disorder can be paralyzing and lead to social isolation. Anxiolytics are often combined with psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Together, they can help improve quality of life for people with anxiety disorders. For more information, read about You should use anxiolytics exactly as instructed. Misusing these drugs can lead to severe effects. Addiction Some anxiolytics can be habit-forming. You can develop cravings for some of these drugs, especially if you take them for too long. Taking anxiolytics for an extended period can also lead to drug tolerance. This means that after using the drug for a long time, you need more of it to get the same effect. Withdrawal Check with your doctor before you stop taking these drugs. If ...