Anxiety can be detrimental to health, if not diagnosed properly and treated in time. Taking anxiety medication, as prescribed, can relieve the symptoms of stress and depression in an effective manner…
Anxiety is a common disorder that can be observed in people of all age groups. Anxiety can be caused due to various factors like stress, fear of abandonment and other fears, etc. Anxiety can affect the overall health and personality of an individual. There are a few types of medication that are used as anxiety cures and can treat various degrees of anxiety, suited for the different needs of individuals.. These drugs provide temporary relief for anxiety symptoms but fail to treat the underlying cause of anxiety disorder. One can come across a variety of antianxiety drugs that are available in pharmacies.
Anxiety Medication List
A visit to the nearest pharmacy will reveal a variety of antianxiety drugs like benzodiazepine, clorazepate dipotassium, diazepam and alprazolam. Since long term usage of these drugs can lead to addiction, they must be taken only when prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner. Here are a few prescription drugs that can be used to bring down the effect of anxiety disorder:
There are many over-the-counter medications for anxiety like Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Proloftin that relieves stress by inducing calmness. Benadryl is also an effective remedy for treating insomnia, loose motions and nausea. It is also used to treat cough and common cold. Proloftin, which is also a vitamin supplement, contains ingredients like Beta Sitosterol, Theanine, Phosphatidylserine and magnolia bark that act as effective stress busters and also replenishes vitamin B that helps in fighting against strain.
Other over the counter anxiety drugs that do not need any prescription are a multipurpose herb called Valerian, chamomile, that is quite well-known as an antianxiety herb and Passiflora Incarnata (passion flower) that is a natural remedy for anxiety that is used to cure insomnia and induce sleep.
Even children tend to suffer from bouts of anxiety at times. Children who have anxiety disorders show symptoms like inability to concentrate, reluctance to go to school, depression and lack of confidence. In such a case, there are several anxiety drugs for children like Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), which are used as a long term treatment for curing anxiety, benzodiazepines that provide quick relief and Mono-Amine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) that are effective in treating depression.
Many people are quite conscious about weight gain. There is also a popular myth that anxiety drugs can cause excessive weight gain. But here’s a good news that puts such fads to rest with the availability of anxiety medication that does not cause weight gain like Buspirone, Lorazepam, Clonazepam, which is derived from benzodiazepines, and Paroxetine hydrochloride. These drugs not only help in relieving anxiety but also don’t lead to weight gain.
Anxiety Drugs: Side Effects
Antianxiety drugs are helpful in relieving stress and calming the nerves. This medication can help alleviate the sufferings. Apart from these advantages, there are also a few side effects of caused due to an overdose. These side effects vary according to the individual, the type of drug and the dosage. At times, the side effects can also lead to unpleasant and dangerous complications. A few side effects of anxiety drugs are listed below:
- One of the common effects of overuse of medication is the feeling of drowsiness, fatigue and confusion.
- Some individuals also experience excessive sweating, extreme weakness, abnormal sensations like tingling and numbness in the limbs and muscle pain.
- Taking benzodiazepines can cause sleep disorders like hallucinations and nightmares. Panic attacks, especially during the night, are a result of depression medication.
- Serotonin reuptake inhibitors can lead to mild nausea followed by vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and elevation of blood pressure, as a result of drug interactions.
- Some other side effects are dizziness, difficulty in breathing, sedation, irritability and speech disorder.
Never opt for self medication when taking antianxiety drugs. It is necessary to analyze the benefits and drawbacks before deciding if it is the appropriate medication. It is always advisable to take anxiety medication under the guidance of a health care provider. A change in lifestyle, adequate sleep and a healthy diet can help keep anxiety at bay.
