This Is How Best Drug For Anxiety Disorder Will Look In 10 Years' Time
What is the Best Drug For Anxiety Disorder?
Although there are plenty of medications that can help with anxiety disorders, there has been little progress in developing new ones. However, studies with neuropeptides as well as other agents demonstrate promising results.
The most commonly used medication to combat anxiety is a drug called benzodiazepine. These are fast-acting tranquilizers which include alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin). They provide immediate relief, but can also cause severe side effects.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, like Valium, Xanax and Lorazepam, work by enhancing the brain chemical GABA. They soothe the nervous system and provide quick relief, but they can become addictive when used long-term. They also increase your risk of having a seizure, if you take them along with other medications, like antidepressants.
They are prescribed to treat a wide variety of ailments, including alcohol withdrawal as well as agitation, aggression seizures, spasms, and REM sleep-related disorder. They also function as an anti-anxiolytic and hypnotic. Their use is controversial however, because they aren't suitable for all people. They can trigger side effects like drowsiness, confusion and dizziness. Some people might become dependent on them. This can lead to addiction. They may also trigger an unintentional rebound. It is not recommended to use them for longer than two weeks.
These drugs are usually taken in a short time, and begin to take effect within minutes. They work by blocking neurotransmitters that could send excessively stimulating signals to the brain. They also decrease the body's production rate of a stress hormone, adrenaline. They also stop the formation of new memories that could cause anxiety and panic.
There are several different types of benzodiazepines. Each has a different effect. You'll know the difference by the way you feel. generalized anxiety disorder will prescribe a benzodiazepine that is suitable for your needs. Some are short-acting, lasting only a few minutes while others are able to be used at any time.
Another medication that may help to reduce anxiety and hypnotic signs is the beta blocker Propranolol which is typically prescribed for anxiety related to social situations and public speaking. It can also reduce the negative effects of benzodiazepines such as orthostatic hypotension (when your blood pressure decreases when you stand up) and bradycardia (low heart rate) and sedation.
Antidepressants take longer to work, however they can help reduce anxiety, hypnotic and anxiolytic symptoms in some individuals. They do so by regulating and balancing the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. However, they're not considered to be first-line treatments for PD and could be more useful on a case-by-case basis combination with benzodiazepines in the treatment of acute anxiety.
Sleeping Medications
Being anxious or stressed from time to time is a normal part of life, but if you feel that the feelings are hindering your daily routine, it might be time to talk to an expert in mental health. Psychiatrists are trained in the field of medication management and can assist you in choosing the right anxiety medication for you according to your diagnosis, medical background and preferences.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also known as SSRIs are among the first drugs that doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders, and they work well for people suffering from depression too. SSRIs increase the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and appetite. They also help improve your sleep and reduce anxiety. The most common SSRIs used to combat anxiety include sertraline, citalopram, and escitalopram. SSRIs may take a couple of weeks to begin working, and they can have side effects like sexual dysfunction or insomnia.
Benzodiazepines (or benzos) are fast-acting medications that provide immediate relief from anxiety symptoms. Benzos are controlled substances that target the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and can reduce the brain and body when you feel overwhelmed. They can also reduce seizures and pain and are frequently used to treat conditions such as PTSD, GAD, and panic disorder. Benzos are addictive, and they can cause memory problems addiction, and other potentially dangerous adverse effects. Benzos can also cause dizziness and sedation. They can also cause confusion, a decrease in heart rate, and dizziness.
Beta blockers, like propranolol, are a different class of anti-anxiety medications that can be prescribed off-label to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Normally, these drugs are used to treat heart problems however they can be used to reduce blood pressure and heart rate in people with anxiety, and they can also reduce symptoms of asthma. Beta blockers can trigger severe side effects, which include liver damage, hepatitis, and heart attacks in those with preexisting health conditions.
There are numerous new drugs being developed and tested to treat anxiety disorders. Drugs that target neuropeptides and glutamate and other chemicals in the mind, are among these. However, very few have advanced to Phase III trials for anxiety disorders, in comparison to the number of medications in development and testing for PTSD, OCD, depression and bipolar disorder.
Antidepressants
The medications used to treat anxiety disorders are usually called antidepressants. There are a few different kinds of medicines that health professionals employ to treat anxiety disorders however, they all have similar effects on the body and brain. Before you take any medication to combat anxiety, it is important to speak with a doctor.
SSRIs such as fluoxetine sertraline and paroxetine are typically the first choice for treating anxiety. These medications boost the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the brain that enhances communication between nerve cell. They may also boost the levels of norepinephrine, which helps regulate mood. SNRIs such as venlafaxine (Effexor XR), and citalopram, (Celexa) are also frequently prescribed. They function in a similar way to SSRIs but have fewer side-effects.
Atypical antidepressants, such as mirtazapine, (Zoloft) and clonidine (Ursamin) are another class anxiety medications that function similarly to SSRIs or SNRIs. They are effective, but they take some time to begin working. Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin, pregabalin and tiagabine could help with anxiety. GABAergic medications increase the activity of receptors that block neurotransmitters, thus reducing anxiety.
Beta-blockers are prescribed to combat anxiety as well as heart issues. Propranolol (Benadryl) for instance can be prescribed off-label for anxiety related to performance, such as stage fright to lower the adrenaline rush that causes shaking and a higher heart rate.
Other medications are also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat anxiety, for example, hydroxyzine (Visitor) an antihistamine that helps relax the muscles and induce sleepiness. It is frequently used to treat anxiety accompanied by itching from allergies. Further research is needed for these drugs however they are promising in early studies.
Other Medicines
Psychiatrists recommend that people with anxiety who have been suffering for a long time try other treatments. These are usually a combination of antidepressants and other forms of drugs, like sleep medication or sedatives. They are typically used on a long-term basis and have a lower chance of addiction than benzodiazepines however, they can have adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation.
The first line of treatment for anxiety are antidepressants, including selective serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and SNRIs, which target brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. They include citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and paroxetine. Antidepressants such as duloxetine, Cymbalta, and venlafaxine, Effexor XR are also helpful for those suffering from anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants like mirtazapine, (Remeron) are also able to be helpful.
Medications that affect the neurotransmitter GABA have been proven to reduce anxiety, especially when used in conjunction with antidepressants. Pregabalin is among them as is gabapentin, as well as Tiagabine. They affect calcium channels in the nervous system which reduces neurotransmitter production. These are also effective in treating herpes and neuropathic neuralgia, as well as the fibromyalgia syndrome, some seizures and fibromyalgia.
A benzodiazepine can also be prescribed for treating symptoms of anxiety that are acute. However it should only be taken under medical supervision. These sedatives are addictive and can worsen the original anxiety disorder. Psychologists have a wealth of experience taking a look at your needs and putting together an appropriate medication management plan that is effective for you.
The final medication that can be prescribed is an MAOI which is an older type of drug that treats panic disorder as well as social anxiety disorders by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters present in your body. These are usually started at a low dose and then gradually increased to avoid adverse negative effects like low sodium levels and nausea.
The best solution to anxiety disorders is a tri-pronged one, that includes psychotherapy, exercise and medication. The exact combination will vary for each individual, but the majority of people find relief using a combination of these treatments. Your therapist will help you learn cognitive behavioral therapy which assists you in changing your thoughts, emotions and behavior. They may also suggest acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps you to accept your worries and fears rather than trying to get rid of them.