14 Questions You Shouldn't Be Afraid To Ask About Pills To Treat Anxiety
Types of Pills to Treat Anxiety
A certain amount of anxiety can be a normal reaction to what is happening in your life. If your anxiety is debilitating, and prevents you from sleeping or functioning normally, you may require medication to manage it.
Medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines, buspirone and beta-blockers. Antidepressants SSRIs or SNRIs can also be beneficial.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are one of the most popular kinds of drugs used to combat anxiety. They help by increasing the activity of GABA, which calms down the body. These drugs can also aid you to fall asleep and sleep all night. Benzodiazepines are commonly employed in conjunction with other medications, including pain relievers and antidepressants. However, they aren't appropriate for everyone. Patients with a history of addiction to drugs, those who have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or who suffer from breathing problems or medical conditions should only take this medication under the strictest supervision. Pregnant women and children are not advised to take these medications.
Medicines like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are fast-acting and can bring immediate relief from the symptoms of anxiety. However they are physically addictive and are not recommended for long-term use. Long-term use of benzodiazepine can lead to serious complications like respiratory depression or low blood pressure.
It's important that you speak with a medical professional when you are suffering from anxiety. treatment for panic and anxiety attacks are able to assess your mental and emotional health and recommend the most appropriate treatment. They can also suggest psychotherapy and therapy to address the root cause of your anxiety. This can be a crucial component in overcoming the condition.
Antidepressants can be used to treat anxiety in different ways, but only doctors can prescribe them. SSRIs for instance, are effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder and can be beneficial in reducing anxiety attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder. SNRIs are also used to treat anxiety. They increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline as well as dopamine in the brain. These medications can also enhance the quality of sleep and lessen the symptoms of anxiety like muscle tension, dizziness, confusion, and having trouble thinking clearly.
SSRIs can be an excellent option for treating anxiety. However, they can have side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, and dizziness. These effects could be more noticeable in the first 2 weeks of treatment, however, they should diminish as your body adjusts to the medication.
Buspirone
The brand name Buspar has been withdrawn however the generic drug is still available as a treatment for anxiety. The medication is known as anxiolytic. It helps relieve anxiety disorders and symptoms like sweating and an intense pulse. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.
Researchers believe that neurotransmitters play a role in the action. It is effective as an anti-anxiety medicine however it isn't effective for disorders that include anxiety episodes that are severe, like panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not effective in treating depression or psychosis. The pills are usually taken orally twice daily. It can be taken with or without food. However, it is important to stick to a regular schedule to get your body used to the medication.
This medication might be required to be taken in lower doses for people suffering from liver or kidney problems since their bodies be able to process the medication more slowly. This medication is not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers. Drinkers should stay away from alcohol as well as other drugs that may affect the medication. It is essential to inform your doctor about any health issues or medications you take.
If BuSpar does not alleviate your anxiety or if you are unable to take it due to any other medical conditions, your doctor can suggest other treatments. These include SSRIs such as Prozac or Lexapro or antidepressants like Cymbalta or Effexor and benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium. Beta blockers like propranolol and SNRIs such as duloxetine also work in the short-term.
Klarity's online doctor can prescribe these medicines and others to help treat your anxiety-related symptoms, if necessary. We can also arrange an appointment in person with a healthcare provider in case you want to discuss your treatment options in person. Then you can get back to your life faster and feel better sooner. Contact Klarity today to learn more about how we can assist you with your anxiety symptoms.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers can be used to relieve anxiety as well as heart conditions. They work by blocking receptors in the heart that receive signals from stress-related chemicals like adrenaline. Adrenaline binds to receptors in the heart and causes it to respond by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. Drugs that block these receptors can reduce the amount of adrenaline rushing through the heart and prevent its effects, including shaking. They are most effective at treating the somatic symptoms associated with anxiety, such as palpitations and trembling. They are the most effective in the treatment of acute stress reactions as well as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic attacks. They are not as effective in cases of extreme shaking such as that experienced by a violinist or a person experiencing an anxiety attack.
Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved beta-blockers for treating anxiety, many psychiatrists prescribe them "off label" to treat anxiety. One example is propranolol which is a medication that helps alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, such as sweating, flushing and a rapid heartbeat. It can ease symptoms for up to 4 hours. It is used on a short-term or on a need-to-know basis, like prior to a medical procedure or public speaking events.
Contrary to benzodiazepines beta-blockers are not able to slow down brain and nervous system activity, and carry less of a risk for addiction. Certain supplements in the diet such as antioxidants like garlic, saffron, or saffron, have been found to have effects similar to beta-blockers, but these are not FDA-approved, and their research is mixed.
It is not known how effective beta blockers aid in treating social anxiety and phobias with more psychological elements. It is known that beta-blockers can reduce symptoms more quickly and for longer when taken prior to the stress of the situation. This is because they can disrupt the process of the mind reacting to body's reactions which then causes physical symptoms of anxiety.
The medication taken prior to an event that causes anxiety could alter the way the body remembers and responds to frightening memories, and this may be the reason that some people with PTSD or phobias specific to their situation experience better symptoms when taking beta blockers.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were among the first antidepressants discovered. They were effective in treating depression, however, they were not popular due to the adverse effects that were triggered by certain drug and food interactions. The understanding of MAO, and its physiological role in the regulation of neurotransmitter metabolism rate, has allowed the development of selective inhibitors that are able to avoid the cheese reactions' that caused many to stop taking the medication.
MAOIs interfere with the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine as well as serotonin within neurons, increasing their concentration in the brain. This leads to an increase in the amount of these neurotransmitters. This can alter brain circuits that regulate anxiety and other mood disorders.
These drugs are used to treat bipolar disorders in addition to depression. They can also be used to treat anxiety and other psychiatric symptom. These drugs are especially useful for patients who do not respond well to other antidepressants, or who are resistant to them.
MAOIs can cause a variety of adverse effects that include dry mouth, diarrhea, sleepiness, sedation, and changes in appetite. They can also cause low blood pressure when moving from a sitting position to a standing position and vice versa, a condition referred to as orthostatic hypotension. They can also interact with a variety of medications which include antipsychotics.
MAOIs should not be prescribed to patients suffering from pheochromocytoma. This is a tumor of the adrenal gland, which may cause high blood pressure. MAOIs are generally prescribed only for short durations and with careful monitoring. Patients taking MAOIs must to adhere to dietary guidelines. This includes avoiding certain food items that can trigger high levels of tyramine. This can cause a dangerous side-effect called the "cheese response". MAOIs shouldn't take for more than two weeks before surgery. People with a history of substance use disorders should avoid them, since MAOIs can trigger an relapse. People who have a history of suicidal ideas and other mental health issues should not be taking MAOIs. They can also cause increased seizures in people with epilepsy.