Best Medication for Anxiety Depression. Learn More commonly prescribed antidepressants in this category include Benzodiazepines.
There are several types of medications used to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzodiazepines help relieve anxiety by enhancing the activity of a neurotransmitter in the brain and generating a sedative effect. They work quickly, and can relieve anxiety for several hours.
They are usually prescribed for those with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Because they work so quickly, and because people taking them can build up a tolerance that leaves them needing higher doses to feel better, doctors will prescribe them for very short periods of time — usually no more than a month.
Unfortunately, people can become addicted to benzodiazepines, even in a short period of time. If you stop taking them suddenly, withdrawal symptoms may occur, so it's important to follow your doctor's instructions for tapering off your medication.
They can also be used with antidepressants initially while antidepressants take time to work.
"They're a powerful tool," says Duckworth, "but you have to be really smart about their use."
Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include:
Other Side Effects of Anxiety Medications may include:
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Anxiety and Stress. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Anxiety and Stress.
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Legend
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Rating |
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective). |
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Activity |
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list. |
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Rx |
Prescription only. |
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OTC |
Over-the-counter. |
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Rx/OTC |
Prescription or Over-the-counter. |
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Off-label |
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition. |
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EUA |
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. |
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Pregnancy Category |
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A |
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters). |
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B |
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. |
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C |
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
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D |
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
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X |
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits. |
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N |
FDA has not classified the drug. |
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Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule |
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M |
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication. |
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U |
CSA Schedule is unknown. |
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N |
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act. |
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1 |
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. |
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2 |
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. |
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3 |
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. |
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4 |
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3. |
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5 |
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4. |
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Alcohol |
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X |
Interacts with Alcohol. |
Updated by Admin: October 15, 2024
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