Anxiety medication List types and side effects
Anxiety Medication: Types and Side Effects
Medication is oftentimes prescribed to patients suffering from anxiety to help manage symptoms. Although medication can be helpful, it can carry a variety of side effects that have the potential to worsen anxiety. Before starting a course of medication prescribed by a doctor, one should be aware of possible side effects.
Types of Anxiety Medication
There are a few types of medication prescribed to treat anxiety:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI): Used to treat major depressive disorder, but can also help with anxiety.
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI): Used to treat major depressive disorder, but can also help with anxiety.
- Benzodiazepines: Used to treat a variety of issues including anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
- Tricyclic Anti-depressants: Effective at managing symptoms of different types of anxiety.
Side Effects of Anxiety Medication
Medication prescribed to treat anxiety usually comes with a variety of side effects, some of which can be serious. Side effects vary depending on the type of medication, but common ones include:
- Drowsiness– Benzodiazepines in particular can cause drowsiness, which can impede the ability to do activities that require alertness.
- Dizziness– Medication prescribed for anxiety can cause vertigo or dizziness which can lead to falls or difficulty in concentration.
- Sleep Problems– Anxiety medications can cause difficulty in falling asleep and staying asleep, or even oversleeping and sleepiness during the day.
- Nausea and Vomiting– Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of medications prescribed to treat anxiety.
- Headache– Anxiety medications can produce headaches as a side effect.
Conclusion
Medication can be an effective way to treat anxiety, but it’s important to be aware of potential side effects in order to stay safe. Before starting any course of medication, consulting a doctor is the best way to ensure any side effects are monitored and managed.
