Anti anxiety medication.

Best medication for anxiety.

Usually benzodiazepines are prescribed first as an anti anxiety medication. They work fast and have a calming effect. Though, they tend to make you sleepy. They are a good first choice.

There are other anti anxiety medications that are prescribed for depression. Depression and anxiety often appear together. Because of this the anti-depression medications may work for anxiety. The rationale being that the underlying cause for the anxiety is depression. Also, certain neurotransmitters make you feel good. When you feel good, your anxiety may well be lessened or eliminated.

Remember that it takes time for anti anxiety medication to take effect. This may be several weeks. The only way to tell if the medicine is going to help is to give it a chance to work under the close supervision of your doctor. If, after a fair trial, one specific anti anxiety medication doesn't work then consult your doctor to try another.

There is a natural desire to not want to take mood and mind altering medications. Many people feel uncomfortable when first starting prescribed medicine. Remember that many people medicate themselves with alcohol, caffeine, and illicit drugs. You are taking prescribed drugs to ease or eliminate your condition.

Talk to your doctor about this feeling you may have (uncomfortable taking medications). If your doctor seems uncaring or too busy you may want to look for another. You may want to enlist the aid of a competent therapist. Remember some doctors are so left brain dominate that they tend to miss out on the care and nurture required for their profession.

One good way to think of it is that you will take anti anxiety medication until you have learned to control or eliminate your anxiety. This is possible. Some doctors think this is the only way to cure anxiety problems. You may be able to reduce the medication over time after you have learned to control or eliminate your anxiety.

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Be aware that generally there are always side-effects for anti anxiety medications and depression medications. Ask your doctor what sort of side effects you will experience and if there are any drug interactions (in the case that you are on more than one prescribed drug). If you expect the possible side-effects then you may be less bothered by them. Quite often side-effects are temporary while your brain and body adjust to the medication.

Anti-anxiety prescription medication.

Benzodiazepines (Benzos):

They tend to work fast, usually within an hour of taking the medication. They are taken orally and may cause drowsiness. For this reason they also assist in falling asleep.

Alprozolam (Xanax);

Clonazepam (Klonopin);

Lorazepam (Ativan);

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium);

Clorazepate (Tranxene);

Diazepam (Valium);

Halazepam (Paxipam);

Oxazepam (Serax);

Prazepam (Centrax).

Non-benzodiazepine Anti-anxiety Medications:

Hydroxyzine (Atarax);

Propranol (Inderal).

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

The following is a list of SSRIs. The trade names are shown in parentheses:

Fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Seromex, Seronil, Sarafem, Fluctin (EUR), Fluox (NZ)); Escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex, Esertia);

Citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Emocal, Sepram, Seropram);

Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax, Deroxat, Rexetin, Xetanor, Paroxat);

Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Serlain);

Zimelidine (Zelmid, Normud);

Fluvoxamine (Luvox, Faverin, Dumyrox, Movox);

Dapoxetine (Not yet approved by the FDA): This is actually being developed to prevent premature ejaculation in men.

Brain neurons (brain cells) send messages using neurotransmitters. One of these transmitters is called serotonin. Serotonin is transmitted or passed through a gap or synapse between neurons. The receiving neuron picks up the transmitting neuron's chemical messenger. In this case serotonin, which is inhibited from being picked up (or uptaken) by the receiving neuron. The receiving neuron then recognizes the neurotransmitter serotonin for longer. Thus the reason for identifying these medications as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.

The end result is that you feel better because of the effect of creating more of the pleasure producing serotonin.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs):

Clomipramine (Anafranil);

Amitriptyline;

Amoxapine;

Desipramine (Norpramin);

Doxepin (Sinequan);

Imipramine (Tofranil);

Nortriptyline (Pamelor);

Protriptyline (Vivactil);

Trimipramine (Surmontil).

These medications work by inhibiting the reabsorption of neurotransmitters. Mainly, serotonin and norepinephrine, and to some extent dopamine.

These medications are called tricyclic because of their chemical structure. They were among the first types of antidepressants on the market. They were introduced in the 1960s.

There are generally more side-effects because these medications are not selective like the newer medications (SSRIs). Some of these side-effects include but may not be limited to:

Drowsiness Dry mouth Blurred vision Constipation Urinary retention Dizziness Sexual function problems Increased heart rate Disorientation or confusion Headache Low blood pressure Sunlight sensitivity Increased appetite rsulting in weight gain Nausea Muscle weakness

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):

MAO inhibitors block the breakdown of a number of neurotransmitters with the enzyme monoamine oxidase. The result is more of the needed feel good neurotransmitters are available in your brain. A major drawback is that MAO inhibitors block the breakdown of an amino acid called tyramine.

Tyramine is in many foods like cheese. Tyramine will accumulate fast in your body if you do not avoid eating foods containing it while on a MAO inhibitor. It can cause a sharp increase in blood pressure which may be fatal. These drugs affect many different brain chemicals; therefore, there can be many side effects including weight gain, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.

Phenelzine (Nardil;

Trancypromine (Parnate);

Isocarboxazid (Marplan);

Selegiline (Emsam). Emsam is the first transdermal, skin patch, designed for depression. The skin patch is applied every twenty-four hours. The medication is then absorbed into your bloodstream over that period of time.

Side effects of MAOIs may include:

Drowsiness Constipation Nausea Diarrhea Stomach upset Fatigue Dry mouth Dizziness Low blood pressure Lightheadedness Dereased urine output Sexual function problems Sleep disturbances Muscle twitching Weight gain Blurred vision Headache Increased appetite Restlessness Shakiness Trembling Weakness Increased sweating

Remember always consult your health care provider for any medical concern or condition including concerns regarding medications. They know best. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your doctor.

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