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Drug Class | Brand Name | Generic Name | Target Anxiety Disorder | How It's Thought to Work |
Antidepressants | ||||
Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) |
Celexa
Lexapro Luvox Paxil * Prozac * Zoloft |
Citalopram Escitalopram Fluvoxamine Paroxetine Fluoxetine Sertraline |
PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD | Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders |
Tricyclic
Antidepressants (TCAs) |
Adapin
* Anafranil * Aventyl * Elavil * Ludiomil * Norpramin * Pamelor * Sinequan * Surmontil * Tofranil * Vivactil * |
Doxepin
Clomiprimine Nortriptyline Amitriptyline Maprotiline Desipramine Nortriptyline Doxepin Trimipramine Imipramine Protriptyline |
PD,
PTSD, GAD OCD (Anafranil only) |
Affects
the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin and
norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety
disorders |
Monoamine
Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) |
Marplan
* Nardil * Parnate * |
Isocarboxid Phenelzine Tranylcypromine |
PD, SAD, PTSD | Blocks the effect of an important brain enzyme, preventing the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine |
Other Antidepressants | Cymbalta Desyrel * Effexor Remeron |
Duloxetine Trazodone Venlafaxine MIrtazapine |
PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD (Data in PTSD is sparse) | Affects the concentration of the neurotransmitters serotonin and/or norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders |
Wellbutrin | Bupropion | No
current indication for any anxiety disorder. Depression, possibly ADHD |
Exact
mechanism unknown. Effects may be mediated through the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine |
|
Anxiolytics |
||||
Azapirones |
BuSpar * |
Buspirone |
GAD |
Enhances the activity of serotonin |
Benzodiazepines |
Ativan
* |
Lorazepam Flurazepam Clonazepam Triazolam Chlordiazepoxide Temazepam Oxazepam Clorazepate Diazepam Alprazolam |
GAD, SAD, PD |
Exact mechanism
unknown. |
Antihistamines |
Atarax, Vistaril * | Hydroxyzine | GAD |
Sedative effects through blockade of histamine receptors in the brain |
Anticonvulsants |
Augmentation therapy |
These medications may be added when symptoms only partially respond to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment |
||
Gabitril Neurontin |
Tiagabine |
Enhances the function of GABA | ||
Depakote
* Lamictal Topimax |
Valproate |
Exact mechanisms unknown. Possible effects include: enhancing or inhibiting effects of neurotransmitters believed to be associated with anxiety; blockade of sodium channels in the brain |
||
Noradrenergic Agents |
||||
Beta Blockers |
Inderal
* |
Propranolol |
Performance anxiety, possibly PD | Blocks receptors associated with physiologic symptoms of anxiety |
Alpha Blocker |
Minipress * |
Prazosin | PTSD (nightmares) | |
Catapres |
Clonidine |
Some evidence in PTSD, anticipatory anxiety | ||
Atypical Antipsychotics | Augmentation therapy | These medications may be added when symptoms only partially respond to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment | ||
Abilify Geodon Risperdal Seroquel Zyprexa |
Aripiprazole Ziprasidone Risperidone Quetiepine Olanzapine |
Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders |
Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. Speak with your doctor
if you have questions about a medication or are experiencing side effects
from your medication.
Last revised: 10/04
This material was supported by an educational grant from SmithKline Beecham.
©2004 Anxiety Disorders Association of America