Getting the help you need: Anxiety Attack Medication

Anxiety attack medication can come in a variety of forms and should not be taken without the express advice of your doctor or medical professional. Anxiety attacks are a serious problem that plagues many Americans and there are multiple ways to deal with them properly. Some end up with a mental health professional and take the therapeutic route while others take pharmaceutical medications prescribed by a doctor. This article will mainly discuss the latter form of anxiety attack medication.

Drug Classes

Traditionally there are a few drug classes that are used to treat anxiety attacks. These are “Azapirones”, “Benzodiazepines”, “Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors”, “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors”, “Tricyclic Antidepressants”, and a selection of other antidepressants. The most effect of these medication types that are most often prescribed to anxiety attack suffers is the benzodiazepine. “Alprazolam” is the most commonly prescribed of that particular drug type. There is also a type of anxiety attack medication called “beta blockers”.

Beta blockers are especially helpful in controlling the physical symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks. They are traditionally prescribed to aide in the prevention of rapid heartbeat, shaking and trembling related symptoms. Beta blockers also tent to have fewer side effects than any other forms of medication, but they can cause insomnia and other sleep-related issues like nightmares. Most health care professionals suggest against beta blockers, however, because it does not actually cure the anxiety attack.

The Tricyclic Antidepressants are another popular class of drugs used to treat panic attack symptoms. “Tofranil”, “Nortriptyline”, and “Venlafaxine” are all types of Tricyclic Antidepressants. These medications are also used to fight severe depression and obsession disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. As with most medications of this type, there are side effects including loss of sex drive, trouble urinating, erectile dysfunction, and disturbed sleeping patterns. Some patients discover that the side effects of some anxiety attack medication can be worse than the actual problem.

Also worth discussing briefly are the benzodiazepines. Some people take these drugs as a single dose while others can end up on them for several years; each case is different. The benzodiazepine is, however, medication that claims it solves anxiety symptoms in 70-80% of the users. The only issue with this is that the pamphlet that is included with the drug states that benzodiazepine can actually CAUSE anxiety! Xanax is a popular benzodiazepine, for example.

All in all, research the medication you plan to take for your anxiety and talk to a medical professional. Most of these drugs have side effects that are often worse than actual anxiety attacks. Take care to notice what drugs do what and learn what you can about anxiety attack medication.

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