Anxiolytic Medications: Types and Side Effects

Although SSRIs are a type of antidepressant, doctors can prescribe them to people with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). EMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Anxiety disorders are usually diagnosed with a psychological evaluation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association provides diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs (Anxiolytics)

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. SNRIs work similarly to SSRIs — more specifically, they help increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. These medications work by reducing the brain’s reabsorption of the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. These medications typically begin to take effect within 2–6 weeks, but they may not work for everyone. People usually take SSRIs for 6–12 months to treat anxiety and then gradually reduce the dosage.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications. Abstaining from alcohol when taking benzodiazepines is also important because the interaction between these drugs and alcohol can lead to serious, possibly life-threatening complications. Talk with your healthcare provider before discontinuing any medication. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, they may taper your medication dose, reducing it gradually. Many people who take medication over a long period of time can become dependent.

Although SSRIs tend to have fewer side effects than some other antidepressants, they may still cause gastrointestinal distress, sleep difficulties, and sexual dysfunction. Many of these effects go away within a couple of weeks of beginning the medication, however. Your doctor will likely gradually reduce your prescription to prevent withdrawal symptoms from occurring 1. If you or your family members notice any concerning changes in your mental state, or you have any thoughts of harming yourself, contact your doctor or mental health professional immediately. When starting a new medication, it is common to experience side effects, but they will usually reduce as your body adjusts to the new medication. If any side effects persist or become problematic, it is important to contact your doctor, as you may need a reduced dose or a change of medication 1.

List of Benzodiazepines Used to Treat Anxiety

Some of these small clinical studies suggest that Yoga may improve anxiety symptoms by improving the levels of GABA in the brain. Since Yoga and other types of exercise are Benzo Free beneficial for overall health, it may be a useful addition to standard medical therapy for anxiety. 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. Anti-anxiety medications help minimize the symptoms of anxiety, while antidepressants affect neurotransmitters in the brain. Almost all antipsychotic medications do not have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

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These side effects can include suicidal thoughts, and these may be more common in children and young adults. 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. 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.

List of Beta-Blockers for Anxiety

Instead, talk with a doctor about slowly tapering off your dosage to reduce your risk of withdrawal and seizure. Using benzodiazepines, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Your healthcare professional may want to first do a physical exam to make sure your anxiety isn’t actually caused by another medical condition and check on your overall health.

Anxiolytics are a class of medications used to prevent or treat anxiety symptoms or disorders. They’re sometimes called anti-anxiety medications or minor tranquilizers. Anxiolytic medications are habit-forming and can lead to dependency or a substance use disorder. For this reason, they’re often only prescribed for a short amount of time. This is not a complete list of the medications used to treat anxiety, and a psychiatrist may opt to use something else depending on the specific circumstances.