Anti-anxiety drugs are widely used today. Some use anxiety medication as a bridge to lower their anxiety until they find an all-natural method that works for them. But most users find that the side effects outweigh the treatment and opt not to use them. Regardless of your reason for seeking anxiety or panic attack medication, you should read the following information to help you make an informed decision.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers can be used successfully to control the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, especially those which occur in social anxiety: racing heartbeat, shaking and trembling. While they have less side effects than other anxiety medications, they can cause dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, diarrhea, and cold extremities. Common beta blockers include Propranolol (Inderal) and Atenolol (Tenormin).
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Frequently depression accompanies chronic panic attack sufferers who feel increasingly removed from their environment. Tricyclic antidepressants are used to treat severe depression or depression concurrent with anxiety and even obsessive disorders. Side effects can include dry mouth, difficulty urinating, constipation, blurry vision, sensitivity to sunlight, irritability, and disturbed sleeping patterns. Typical tricyclic antidepressants include Imipramine (Tofranil), Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane and others), Nortriptyline (Aventyl or Pamelor), Amitriptyline (Elavil), Doxepin (Sinequan or Adapin), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Venlafaxine (Effexor).
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are used as a panic attack medication which can be taken up to several times a day for months or even years. Clinically they have proven to reduce panic attack symptoms by about 70-80% in those who respond to the medication. Most of John Linden's clients have said that it made their situation worse. The pamphlet accompanying Diazepam (Serax) warns that the tablets may cause anxiety. Possible side effects of Benzodiazepine include drowsiness, grogginess, depression, irritability, and agitatiion. Well-known benzodiazepines include Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Oxazepam (Serax), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOIs are another big limb in the anti-depressant medical tree frequently used to reduce panic attack symptoms. Possible side effects of MAOIs include disturbances in night sleep, increased appetite, weight gain, dry mouth, sedation, sexual side effects and dangerously low blood pressure. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors include Phenelzine (Nardil) and Tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a newer branch of anti-depressants which was introduced in the United States with the now well-known Prozac (fluoxitine). Rather than addressing the symptoms of panic attacks, SSRIs assist the brain's production of serotonin which is typically low in people who suffer from depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCDs). Side effects may include nausea, headaches, irritation, insomnia, and sexual difficulties. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil).
Mild Tranquilizer
The only mild tranquilizer approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety with mild depression and social phobias with other OCD medications is Buspirone (Buspar). Buspirone has few side effects such as headache, and dizziness (in 3-12 percent of users, generally for the first few days). Mild drowsiness is also common.
It is important for you to realize that while these anti-anxiety drugs may help reduce your panic attack symptoms, they will not cure your attacks. Some can have serious side effects which worsen you condition; others may help temporarily serve as a crutch until you can find a program or method that addresses the root problem of your anxiety.