SSRIs are among the most frequently sold drugs in Australia. Sertraline (sold under the brand name Zoloft) and escitalopram (Cipralex and Lexapro) are both among Australia's 10 most commonly prescribed medications.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Generally safe with a low risk of serious side effects, SSRI antidepressants are typically recommended as the first choice of medications to treat panic attacks.
The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as benzodiazepines; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
People with a history of addiction may benefit from taking anxiety medications that don't have addictive properties. SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, beta-blockers, pregabalin, gabapentin, hydroxyzine, PanX and diphenhydramine are all options for anxiety that are alternatives to addictive benzodiazepines.
Buspirone, also known by the brand name BuSpar, is a newer anti-anxiety drug that acts as a mild tranquilizer. Buspirone relieves anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain—as the SSRIs do—and decreasing dopamine. Compared to benzodiazepines, buspirone is slow acting—taking about two weeks to start working.
FDA-approved medications to treat anxiety include SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, benzodiazepines, and hydroxyzine. Your doctor may prescribe another medication off-label if they think it is the best option to treat your condition.
Herbal therapy such as with passionflower has documented benefits for insomnia, depression, anxiety, and overall stress reduction. Other herbal remedies have shown to be very useful as SSRI alternatives, such as St. John's Wort to treat depression, anxiety, as well as everyday cuts and burns.
SSRI's are anti-depressants and are currently the most popular anti-depression / anti-anxiety drugs as they have fewer side effects than MAOI's. SSRI's include drugs such as Prozac, Luvox and Aropax. SSRI's must be taken on a daily basis for at least a few weeks before they are effective.
It can be an effective treatment for anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders.
Among the drugs showing high effect sizes and that are licensed for anxiety disorders and recommended by guidelines were the SSRIs escitalopram (d=2.75) and paroxetine (d=2.42), and the SNRIs venlafaxine (d=2.32) and pregabalin (2.30).
SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. Common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR. Pros: They are effective for a lot of people and they have a solid safety profile.
Sertraline (Zoloft) has a more favorable safety profile compared to paroxetine. Sertraline is the safest SSRI for people with a history of heart problems. Sertraline is also considered safe in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and is approved for use in teens as well as adults.
It's worth talking to a doctor if you can't bring yourself to leave the house because you fear something bad might happen. If you worry so much that you find yourself with physical sensations, like shaking or hot flashes, a doctor, and perhaps anxiety medication, can help.
SSRIs. This group of drugs, including fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Cipralex) and sertraline (Zoloft), is usually the first choice for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre created a partnership with the pharmaceutical company Bionomics Ltd that has led to the development of BNC210 - a drug designed to reduce anxiety while avoiding the problems with existing treatments.
Some ways to manage anxiety disorders include learning about anxiety, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, correct breathing techniques, dietary adjustments, exercise, learning to be assertive, building self-esteem, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, structured problem solving, medication and support groups.
So, even though the technical answer to, “Can anxiety be cured?” is no, that does not mean anxiety will always control someone's life.
Alprazolam – indications for use
The approved indications for alprazolam, as listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, are: anxiety – short-term symptomatic treatment of anxiety, including treatment of anxious patients with some symptoms of depression.
Natural antidepressants include SAM-e, St. John's Wort, and omega-3 fatty acids, among others. If a person believes they are experiencing symptoms of depression, they should speak with a healthcare or mental health professional before trying any natural antidepressants.
A few common ways of handling anxiety without medication are exercise, mindfulness, deep breathing, and therapy. Find a supportive therapist that can help with anxiety. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.