List of drugs commonly used for anxiety disorders
Do not stop taking a medication without first consulting the doctor who prescribed the medicine as abruptly stopping may cause other health risks. See also Side Effects
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Drug Class |
Brand Name |
Generic Name |
Target Anxiety Disorder |
How they think it works |
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Antidepressants |
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) |
Celexa
|
Citalopram
|
PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD
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Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.
|
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Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) |
Adapin *
|
Doxepin
|
PD, PTSD, GAD
|
Affects the concentration and activity of the eurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) |
Marplan *
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Isocarboxid
|
PD, SAD, PTSD
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Blocks the effect of an important brain enzyme, preventing the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine.
|
|
Other Antidepressants |
Cymbalta
|
Duloxetine
|
PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD (sparse data for PTSD)
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Affects the concentration of the neurotransmitters serotonin and/or norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.
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Wellbutrin
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Bupropion
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No current indication for any anxiety disorder.
|
Exact mechanism unknown;
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Anxiolytics |
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Azapirones |
BuSpar * †
|
Buspirone
|
GAD
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Enhances the activity of serotonin.
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| Benzodiazepines | Ativan * Dalmane * Klonopin * † Halcion * Librium * Restoril * Serax * Tranxene * Valium * Xanax * †
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Lorazepam
|
GAD, SAD, PD
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Exact mechanism unknown; some research shown to enhance the function of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) .
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Antihistamines |
Atarax, Vistaril *
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Hydroxyzine
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GAD
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Sedative effects through blockage of histamine receptors in the brain.
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| Anticonvulsants |
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Augmentation therapy
|
These medications may be added when symptoms respond partially to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment.
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Gabitril
|
Tiagabine
|
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Enhances the function of GABA.
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Depakote *
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Valproate Lamotrigine Topiramate
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Exact mechanisms unknown; possible effects include enhancing or inhibiting effects of neurotransmitters associated with anxiety and blockade of sodium channels in the brain.
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| Noradrenergic Agents |
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| Beta Blockers | Inderal * Tenormin *
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Propranolol Atenolol Prazosin
|
Performance anxiety, possibly PD
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Blocks receptors associated with physiologic symptoms of anxiety.
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Alpha Blocker |
Minipress *
|
Prazosin
|
PTSD (nightmares)
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Catapres Tenex
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Clonidine Guanfacine
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Some evidence in PTSD, anticipatory anxiety
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Atypical Antipsychotics |
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Augmentation therapy
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These medications may be added when symptoms respond partially to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment.
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Abilify
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Aripiprazole
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Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.
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Key:
GAD = Generalized anxiety disorder
OCD = Obsessive-compulsive disorder
PD = Panic disorder
PTSD = Post-traumatic stress disorder
SAD = Social anxiety disorder
