Medication is one effective way to manage anxiety — and when it comes to anxiety meds, you’ve got options.
If you have anxiety, you might be wondering if medication could help you manage your symptoms. Chances are it could.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition, affecting some 40 million U.S. adults, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA). Despite being very treatable, only about 37% of people with anxiety seek care.
There are different types of anxiety disorders, and you can have more than one. Some of the most common include:
Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety.
Along with antidepressants, several other classes of meds encompass anxiolytics — aka anti-anxiety medications. They’re effective and tend to work better when used alongside therapy.
Anxiety is believed to be caused by a combination of factors like genetics, environment, and brain chemistry.
Anti-anxiety medications help minimize the symptoms of anxiety, while antidepressants affect neurotransmitters in the brain.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that work to keep our brains functioning while also affecting our moods. Low levels or an imbalance of neurotransmitters may contribute to certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Antidepressants can help by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, like serotonin.
Not all anti-anxiety meds are the same. Some, like benzodiazepines, are designed to work quickly in the body to reduce symptoms. Others, such as antidepressants, can take several weeks for you to notice a change in how you feel.
Everyone will respond differently to medications. If one isn’t working for you, you can always speak with your doctor to see if you should adjust your dose or switch to a new med.
There are several anti-anxiety medications available, such as antidepressants and anxiolytic drugs.
SSRIs work by regulating and increasing the levels of serotonin in your brain.
They can be used for treating all types of anxiety, but depending on your experience and condition, you may need higher doses.
In general, side effects of SSRIs can include:
Some examples of SSRIs include:
SNRIs work similarly to SSRIs — more specifically, they help increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.
SNRIs are frequently prescribed for all kinds of anxiety disorders, and their side effects are very similar to those of SSRIs.
Examples of SNRIs for anxiety include:
Tricyclics — aka TCAs — are an older type of antidepressant that work like SNRIs. They can be used for treating some anxiety disorders, but not social anxiety.
Because newer medications have fewer side effects, tricyclics aren’t used as often anymore. Side effects can include:
Examples of tricyclics for anxiety include:
This class of meds can be used to treat all forms of anxiety. Because it’s faster acting, benzodiazepines are often prescribed for short-term use alongside a maintenance medication (like an antidepressant) if you have high or chronic anxiety.
If you experience high anxiety or panic in certain situations — such as flying or going to the dentist — your doctor might prescribe a benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which decreases nerve activity. Some researchers believe too much nerve activity can cause anxiety. So benzodiazepines work by bumping up the effects of GABA.
While benzodiazepines can be highly effective, they also have higher potential for dependence and withdrawal, so they aren’t typically prescribed as a long-term solution.
Even if you’ve only taken a benzodiazepine for a few weeks, it’s possible to have intense withdrawal symptoms. And because of how quickly dependence can happen with these meds — within a few weeks of use — the FDA has released some guidelines for safe benzodiazepine use.
If you take these meds as prescribed by your doctor, you can minimize your chances of complications. If you have any questions, you can reach out to your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects of benzodiazepines include:
If your doctor prescribes a benzodiazepine for anxiety, it might be:
Buspirone (BuSpar) can work to treat anxiety in both the short and long term. It’s most commonly used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone works by increasing serotonin to help reduce anxiety. Since it can take time to build up in your system, it’s usually not the best option if you have a condition that requires fast-acting relief, like if you’re experiencing a panic attack.
Side effects can include:
Beta-blockers can be used off-label for anxiety, meaning they’re prescribed for a condition that’s different from what it was originally intended.
These medications are mainly used to help decrease blood pressure and allow people to manage certain heart conditions. They can be helpful for some physical symptoms of anxiety — like a racing heart beat.
Propranolol is one of the most commonly prescribed beta-blockers for anxiety. It can be used to treat social anxiety.
Side effects are generally minimal and might include:
MAOIs were originally used for depression, but healthcare professionals sometimes prescribe them off-label for anxiety.
MAOIs work differently than SSRIs and SNRIs by blocking the chemical monoamine oxidase from the body. This chemical is responsible for decreasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters. Inhibiting monoamine oxidase gives the neurotransmitters a chance to increase, and this can improve your mood.
While MAOIs do work for some people, they aren’t prescribed as often anymore due to the availability of newer types of medications with less side effects. These meds can also interact with certain foods, causing health issues.
MAOIs can be used to treat most forms of anxiety, but may work best for panic disorder and social anxiety. Potential side effects include:
If you’re prescribed an MAOI for anxiety, it might be: