Types of Pills to Treat Anxiety
A certain amount anxiety is an normal reaction to events that occur in your life. If your anxiety is debilitating and keeps you from sleeping or performing normally, you may require medication to treat it.
Treatments for anxiety include benzodiazepines and beta-blockers. SSRIs and SNRIs are antidepressants. can also be helpful.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are one of the most commonly used kinds of drugs used to combat anxiety. They work by increasing the activity of GABA which is a calming agent for the body. These drugs can also aid you relax and sleep through the through the night. Benzodiazepines are frequently used in combination with other medications, such as antidepressants and pain relievers. However, they are not suitable for everyone. Patients with an history of abuse of substances or who have difficulty falling or staying asleep or have medical conditions that cause breathing issues should only use this medication under the strictest supervision. Pregnant women and children should not use these medications.
Medications such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are quick-acting and provide immediate relief from the symptoms of anxiety. However, they are physically addictive and not recommended for long-term use. Long-term use of benzodiazepine can lead to serious complications like respiratory depression and low blood pressure.
It's important that you speak to a doctor when you are suffering from anxiety. Psychologists can evaluate your mental and physical health and recommend the most appropriate course of treatment for you. They may also suggest psychotherapy and therapy to tackle the root cause of anxiety, which could be a key component in the process of overcoming it.
There are a variety of antidepressants that are effective in treating anxiety however only a physician can prescribe them. SSRIs are useful for treating panic attacks and posttraumatic stress disorder. They also are effective in treating generalized anxieties disorder. SNRIs are also used to treat anxiety. They increase the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline as well as dopamine in the brain. These medications can improve a person’s ability to sleep and reduce anxiety-related symptoms like dizziness and muscle tension.
While SSRIs are an excellent choice for treating anxiety, they can also cause negative side effects, like nausea, stomach upsets and the feeling of drowsiness. These side effects can be more noticeable during the first 1 or two weeks of treatment, however, they should diminish as your body adjusts to the medication.
Buspirone
The brand name Buspar is not available anymore, however the generic drug can be used to treat anxiety. The medication is an anxiolytic. It helps relieve anxiety-related symptoms and disorders, like sweating and a pounding pulse. It works by altering the levels of certain natural substances within the brain.
The exact mechanism for action is not known However, research suggests that it is a result of neurotransmitters within the brain. It is effective as an anti-anxiety drug, but it is not effective for conditions that involve episodes of extreme anxiety such as panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It's also not effective for depression or psychosis. The pill is typically taken orally two times a day. It can be taken without or with food, however, it is essential to adhere to a regular routine to ensure that your body gets used to the medication.
People with kidney or liver diseases may require smaller doses of this medication because their bodies process it more slowly. This medication is not recommended for nursing or pregnant mothers. Avoid alcohol and other drugs that may affect the medicine. It is also crucial to inform a doctor of any other health issues or medication that the patient is taking.
If BuSpar doesn't help you manage your anxiety or if you are not able to take it due to any other medical issues, your doctor may suggest alternative treatments. These include SSRIs such as Prozac or Lexapro and 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 pills and others to help treat your anxiety symptoms, if needed. We can even arrange a face-to-face appointment with a healthcare provider in case you want to discuss your treatment options in person. You can then return to your normal routine faster and feel better sooner. Contact Klarity today to find out more about how we can assist you deal with your anxiety issues.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are commonly used to treat heart problems however, they also aid in reducing anxiety. They work by blocking receptors that receive signals from the heart from stress-related chemical like adrenaline. When adrenaline binds with these receptors and triggers the body to react by raising blood pressure and heart rate. The drugs block the receptors and decrease the amount adrenaline that rushes through the heart, thus reducing its effects like shaking. They are most effective in dealing with the physical symptoms that are associated with anxiety, such as palpitations and trembling. They are most useful in the treatment of acute stress reactions, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as panic attacks. They are not as effective in cases of severe trembling such as the trembling felt by a violinist or a patient who is suffering from an anxiety attack.
Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved beta-blockers to treat anxiety, many psychiatrists prescribe these medications "off label" to treat anxiety. Propranolol is one example. It aids in reducing physical symptoms of anxiety, such as sweating and flushing. It can provide about four hours of relief from symptoms. It is usually taken on a temporary or on a need-to-know basis, like prior to a medical procedure, or a public speaking events.
Unlike benzodiazepines, beta-blockers are not able to reduce brain and nervous system activity, and they are less prone to chance of developing addiction. Certain dietary supplements like garlic, saffron, and antioxidants have the same effect as beta-blockers but are not FDA approved and research is mixed.
It isn't known how effective beta-blockers work against social anxiety or phobias which are more psychological components. It is known that beta-blockers can lessen symptoms faster and for longer when taken prior to the stress of the situation. They can disrupt the cycle in which the brain reacts to the body's response, which then causes physical symptoms of anxiety.
Taking the medication before an event that triggers anxiety can alter the way in which the body remembers and responds to traumatic memories, and this may be why some people who have PTSD or specific phobias have improved symptoms when they are on beta blockers.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were among the first antidepressants to be discovered. They proved effective in treating depression however, they fell out of fashion due to the side effects that could be triggered by certain foods and drug interactions. Fortunately, the understanding of MAO and its role in the regulation of neurotransmitter metabolism has resulted in the creation of selective inhibitors that are able to avoid the 'cheese reaction which led many to quit taking the medication.
MAOIs interfere the enzyme responsible for breaking norepinephrine down and serotonin neurons, thereby increasing the concentration of these neurotransmitters within the brain. This results in an increase in the amount of these neurotransmitters. This can affect the brain circuits that regulate anxiety and mood disorders.
These drugs are prescribed to treat bipolar disorders in addition to depression. They are also used to treat anxiety or other symptoms of psychiatry. These drugs are especially useful for patients who do not respond well to other antidepressants or are resistant to them.
MAOIs may cause a variety of adverse reactions, including diarrhea, dryness of the mouth, sleepiness and sedation. natural ways to treat anxiety may also affect appetite. They can also cause low blood pressure when you go from a sitting position to a standing position, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. In addition, they may be incompatible with a variety of medications, including some antipsychotics.
MAOIs are not recommended to patients with pheochromocytoma. This is a tumor of the adrenal gland that may cause high blood pressure. In general, doctors prescribe MAOIs for brief periods of time and with careful monitoring. Patients taking MAOIs should adhere to the dietary guidelines, which include abstaining from certain foods that may cause high levels of tyramine in the blood, which can result in a potentially dangerous side effect referred to as the "cheese reaction". MAOIs should not be used for more than two weeks before surgery. Those who have an antecedent of addiction disorders should stay clear of them, as MAOIs can cause an relapse. People who have a history of suicidal thoughts and other mental health problems should not take MAOIs. They can also increase seizures in people who have epilepsy.