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The oldest anti anxiety drug is alcohol, and it remains the most frequently used and most easily accessible tranquilizer. In early 1960s Imipramine (Tofranil), then an antidepressant was found to alleviate anxiety; the effects of this being independent of its antidepressant property.
Research has come a long way to now using
- SSRI: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine, Citalopram)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (Clomipramine, Imipramine, Desipramine)
- Benzodiazepines (Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
- MAOIs: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine)
- RIMAs: Reversible MAOIs (Moclobemide, Brofaromine)
All these types of drugs are used in different diagnosis under different situations. Much thought goes into the duration of medicine considering the adverse effects.
The fastest way to anxiety relief is still anxiety medicines. Even clinical psychologists use drugs to stabilize before they start with other cognitive therapies.
Almost always drug therapy is for short term use. But as most anxiety disorders are chronic, treatment goes for long but intermittently. Even doctors are aware of the adverse effects, so prescribe it with much caution after a thorough investigation.
- One common problem is medically called “Burnout”. Burnout refers to people who, after a few months of response, develop drug resistance while on medication. And another problem is some of these drugs are addictive.
- Dry mouths, sexual dysfunction, Insomnia, photo sensitivity, increased risk of coronary heart disease are among many side effects.
- Weight gain is one of the most troublesome adverse effects of antidepressant, anti anxiety drugs.
Good doctors make the patient aware of the side effects before administering the drugs. In short be under the vigilant eye of your doctor while on medication and do not forget to tell your doctor every little reaction. They are trained enough to understand your body’ s behavior and act accordingly. They know which reactions are normal and which are not, and thus change doses, frequency and sometimes the drugs.