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Medications for Anxiety

Other names: Nervousness

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 3, 2023.

Two classes of medications are commonly used to treat anxiety: SSRIs and benzodiazepines.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are usually the first medications doctors will prescribe to help manage anxiety before considering other options such as benzodiazepines. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). They impact serotonin, a neurotransmitter influencing mood, sleep, and more, and they are particularly useful for people who also have depression as well as anxiety. While SSRIs they might initially cause side effects like nausea or insomnia, these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They're not addictive, but abrupt discontinuation can lead to severe symptoms, so dosage changes should be discussed with your doctor.

Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium) are second-line options for generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and may be considered when panic attacks or severe muscle tension are prominent. They enhance the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, providing quick relief but for a short duration. They are effective in reducing physiological symptoms like tension and insomnia. While generally well-tolerated, prolonged use can lead to dependence. Benzodiazepines and alcohol don't mix well and should be avoided. They're not recommended for individuals with a history of addiction or severe suicidal tendencies.

Other medications that may be considered if SSRIs and benzodiazepines are not appropriate, tolerated, or effective include:

 

Drugs used to treat Anxiety

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Alprazolam Intensol 10 8 reviews for Alprazolam Intensol to treat Anxiety
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
alprazolam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
alprazolam 8.6 872 reviews for alprazolam to treat Anxiety
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
alprazolam systemic
Brand names:
Xanax, Alprazolam Intensol
Drug class:
benzodiazepines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide 9.8 4 reviews for amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide to treat Anxiety
Rx N 4 X
Generic name:
amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide systemic
Drug class:
psychotherapeutic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amitriptyline / perphenazine 9.7 8 reviews for amitriptyline / perphenazine to treat Anxiety
Rx N N X
Generic name:
amitriptyline / perphenazine systemic
Drug class:
psychotherapeutic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
atenolol Off-label 7.9 53 reviews for atenolol to treat Anxiety
Rx D N X
Generic name:
atenolol systemic
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Ativan 8.1 344 reviews for Ativan to treat Anxiety
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
lorazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, miscellaneous antiemetics, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
bupropion Off-label 5.9 181 reviews for bupropion to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
bupropion systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants, smoking cessation agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
BuSpar 6.0 541 reviews for BuSpar to treat Anxiety
Rx B N X
Generic name:
buspirone systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
buspirone 5.9 1107 reviews for buspirone to treat Anxiety
Rx B N X
Generic name:
buspirone systemic
Brand name:
BuSpar
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cannabidiol 7.0 2 reviews for cannabidiol to treat Anxiety
Rx N X
Generic name:
cannabidiol systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Natural Product Monographs
chlordiazepoxide 7.6 38 reviews for chlordiazepoxide to treat Anxiety
Rx N 4 X
Generic name:
chlordiazepoxide systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
clonazepam Off-label 8.5 808 reviews for clonazepam to treat Anxiety
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
clonazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
clonidine Off-label 7.0 91 reviews for clonidine to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
clonidine systemic
Drug class:
antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
clorazepate 9.3 50 reviews for clorazepate to treat Anxiety
Rx N 4 X
Generic name:
clorazepate systemic
Brand names:
Tranxene, Tranxene T-Tab
Drug class:
benzodiazepines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Compro Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
prochlorperazine systemic
Drug class:
phenothiazine antiemetics, phenothiazine antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cymbalta 6.4 304 reviews for Cymbalta to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
desvenlafaxine Off-label 7.2 188 reviews for desvenlafaxine to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
desvenlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Diazepam Intensol 10 3 reviews for Diazepam Intensol to treat Anxiety
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
diazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
diazepam 8.4 483 reviews for diazepam to treat Anxiety
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
diazepam systemic
Brand names:
Valium, Diazepam Intensol
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
doxepin 7.1 45 reviews for doxepin to treat Anxiety
Rx N N X
Generic name:
doxepin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
duloxetine 6.4 405 reviews for duloxetine to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Brand name:
Cymbalta
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Effexor XR 7.0 240 reviews for Effexor XR to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
venlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
escitalopram 7.4 1557 reviews for escitalopram to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
escitalopram systemic
Brand name:
Lexapro
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
gabapentin Off-label 7.9 472 reviews for gabapentin to treat Anxiety
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
hydroxyzine 5.5 918 reviews for hydroxyzine to treat Anxiety
Rx N N X
Generic name:
hydroxyzine systemic
Brand name:
Vistaril
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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Topics under Anxiety

Alternative treatments for Anxiety

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Anxiety. 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.

Learn more about Anxiety

Care guides

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

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).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
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.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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