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Types of Pills to Treat Anxiety Anxiety in some degree is a normal response to the events in your life. However, if your anxiety is causing problems and keeps you from sleeping or functioning normally, you may need medication to treat it. Beta-blockers and benzodiazepines are two of the drugs that can be used to combat anxiety. Antidepressants SSRIs or SNRIs may also be beneficial. Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines, one of the most commonly prescribed medications to combat anxiety, are a type of medication that is used quite often. They help by increasing the activity of GABA in the brain, which calms the body. They also induce the feeling of drowsiness that helps you fall asleep and sleep throughout the night. The benzodiazepines are combined with other medications such as antidepressants and pain relievers. They aren't suitable for everyone, but. People with an history of abuse of substances or have difficulty sleeping or falling asleep, or who have an illness that causes breathing difficulties should only take this medication under strict supervision. Children and pregnant women should not take these drugs. The medications like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are quick-acting and can bring immediate relief from symptoms of anxiety. However, they are physically addictive and are not recommended for long-term use. Long-term benzodiazepine usage can lead to serious complications like respiratory depression and low blood pressure.
There are a variety of antidepressants that can be effective in treating anxiety, but only a doctor is able to prescribe them. SSRIs, for example, are effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder and can be beneficial in reducing panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder. SNRIs are also useful in treating anxiety, and they can boost the levels of serotonin as well as noradrenaline in the brain. These medications can enhance a person’s ability to sleep and can reduce anxiety symptoms such as dizziness and muscle tension. While SSRIs are an excellent choice for treating anxiety, they can also cause negative side effects, like nausea, stomach upset, and drowsiness. These side effects can be more apparent in the first 2 weeks of treatment however, they should diminish as your body adjusts to the medication. Buspirone The brand name Buspar is no longer available, however the generic drug can be used to treat anxiety. The medication is an anxiolytic. It can help relieve anxiety disorders and symptoms, like sweating and an intense pulse. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. Researchers believe that neurotransmitters play a role in the process. It is effective as an anti-anxiety medicine however it isn't effective for conditions that involve anxiety episodes that are severe, like panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It is also not effective for psychosis or depression. The pill is usually taken orally two times a day. It can be taken with or without food, however, it is essential to follow a regular schedule to ensure that your body gets familiar with the medication. People with kidney or liver disease may need to take lower doses of this drug because their bodies process it more slowly. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing mothers. Avoid alcohol and other drugs that can interfere with the medication. It is crucial to inform your doctor about any health issues or medications you are taking. If BuSpar does not help with anxiety, or you can't take it because of other medical conditions your doctor might suggest a different method of treatment. These include SSRIs like Prozac or Lexapro or antidepressants like Cymbalta or Effexor, and benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium. Beta blockers like propranolol and SNRIs like duloxetine can be effective in the short-term. If you need to, Klarity's online physician can prescribe these and other medications to treat your anxiety symptoms. If you want to discuss your treatment options with a medical expert, we can schedule an appointment in person. Then, you can return to your normal routine faster and feel better faster. Contact Klarity to find out more about how we can help you with your anxiety symptoms. Beta-blockers Beta-blockers are often used to treat heart ailments However, they can help with anxiety as well. They work by blocking receptors that receive signals from the heart from stress-related chemical such as adrenaline. Adrenaline is a binder to receptors within the heart and causes it to respond by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. The medications block the receptors and reduce the amount of adrenaline that flows through the heart, preventing its effects, such as shaking. They are most effective in dealing with the physical symptoms that are associated with anxiety, including palpitations and trembling. They are most useful in the treatment of acute stress reactions, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic attacks. They are less helpful when there is severe trembling, such as that experienced by violinists during a performance or by a person with a panic 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 an example. It helps to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as sweating and flushing. It can provide up to four hours of relief from symptoms. It can be taken in the event of need or on a temporary basis, such as prior to an operation. Contrary to benzodiazepines beta-blockers do not slow down brain and nervous system activity, and they have a lower risk of addiction. Certain supplements in the diet like antioxidants such as garlic, saffron, and saffron have been shown to have beta-blocker-like effects, but these are not FDA-approved, and their research is mixed. It isn't known how well beta blockers help treat social anxiety and phobias that contain more psychological components. It is known that beta-blockers are able to reduce symptoms faster and for longer when taken prior to an event that is stressful. They can disrupt the cycle where the mind responds to body's reaction, which then triggers physical symptoms of anxiety. Taking the medication before an anxiety-provoking situation can also alter the way in which the body recalls and responds to fearful memories. This could be why some people who have PTSD or phobias specific to their situation experience better symptoms when taking beta blockers. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) were among the first antidepressants discovered. They were effective in treating depression, but they fell out of favour due to the potential side effects that can be caused by certain foods and drug interactions. The understanding of MAO and its physiological function in the regulation of neurotransmitter metabolism rate, has allowed the development of selective inhibiters that are able to avoid the cheese reactions' that caused many to stop taking the medication. These medications are typically prescribed to treat bipolar disorder addition to depression, but they can also be employed as a treatment for anxiety or other psychiatric issues. They can be particularly helpful for patients who do not respond to other antidepressants, or are resistant to them. MAOIs can trigger a variety of adverse reactions, including diarrhea, dryness of the mouth, sleepiness and sedation. They can also alter appetite. They can also cause low pressure when you go from a sitting position to standing position. This is known as orthostatic hypertension. They can also interact with a variety of medications such as antipsychotics. MAOIs should not be prescribed to patients with pheochromocytoma. This is a cancer of the adrenal gland which can cause high blood-pressure. In general, doctors prescribe MAOIs for a short period of time and under careful supervision. Patients taking MAOIs must follow dietary guidelines that include abstaining from certain foods that may cause a high level of tyramine in blood, which can cause a serious side effect referred to as the "cheese reaction". MAOIs should also not be taken for more than two weeks before surgery. MAOIs are not recommended for people who have a history of substance abuse disorders, as they can cause the relapse. People who have a history of suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues should not take MAOIs. They may also increase the risk of seizures for epilepsy sufferers. |
