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- General Topics
- EATING DISORDERS
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Affecting millions of people, anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders across the world. [1] These disorders can profoundly affect daily functioning, leading to fear, worry, and a host of physical symptoms. While lifestyle management and therapy are crucial elements of anxiety medications, experts often prescribe medications to reduce symptoms and improve life quality. However, like other medications, anxiety pills can also lead to a range of side effects. Understanding these side effects can help individuals make informed choices and control their anxiety with minimal complications.
To understand anxiety pills side effects, it is imperative to know about the categories of these medications, as each may lead to a different set of adverse reactions. The most commonly used anxiety medications include the following: [2]
These medications include sertraline, fluoxetine, and escitalopram, along with many other similar drugs. SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain to positively impact mood. This drug class is typically the best for controlling panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety.
This non-benzo medication is a potent anxiolytic that directly impacts dopamine and serotonin receptors. Buspirone typically works well for generalized anxiety disorder but requires long-term use, with effects not noticeable until weeks.
Some examples of benzodiazepines include diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam, which work by enhancing the impact of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to produce a calming effect. Benzodiazepines can help manage acute anxiety episodes and are reserved for short-term use due to a high risk of dependence.
Common examples of SNRIs include duloxetine and venlafaxine, which work by boosting norepinephrine and serotonin to reduce anxiety and improve mood. SNRIs are best used to control panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and other associated conditions.
MAOIs generally include medications like tranylcypromine and phenelzine that work by preventing the breakdown of mood-regulating chemicals, including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. This drug class is usually used in cases where all other anxiety pills have failed or are contraindicated.
Beta-blockers, such as atenolol and propranolol, work by blocking the effect of a chemical called adrenaline. These medications essentially relax the body and control physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shakiness and a rapid heart rate. Beta-blockers are often helpful in managing situational anxiety, for example, performance anxiety.
TCAs include medications like clomipramine and imipramine that work by regulating serotonin, norepinephrine, and other mood regulators to manage anxiety. While TCAs are highly effective, they have a higher chance of causing side effects, making them a less likely choice to consider.
The primary benefit of using an anti-anxiety medication is their ability to manage debilitating symptoms. For many people, these pills can bring significant relief while helping them maintain relationships, engage in everyday activities, and improve their overall quality of life.
Following is a quick overview of why someone would be keen to try an anti-anxiety pill:
While anxiety pills can be highly effective in managing symptoms, they also have a risk of causing side effects. The type and severity of these side effects may vary depending on which anti-anxiety pill a person is using, their dosage, and individual response.
Mentioned below are some common short and long term effects of anxiety medicine:
While anxiety medications can be highly effective, they also come with the potential for side effects. The nature and severity of these side effects vary depending on the type of medication, dosage, and individual response. Below are the common side effects associated with each category of anxiety medication:
Following are some common side effects of using SSRI drugs:
Most side effects associated with SSRIs typically diminish over time, but in some cases, they can be severe enough to change the medication.
Following are some common side effects of using SNRIs: [4]
Experts strictly advise all people taking an SNRI to monitor their blood pressure as regularly as possible. This is particularly true for people with pre-existing hypertension, as they may need adjustments in their medications.
The following are the common side effects of using benzodiazepines:
Due to a considerable risk of dependence, mental health experts prescribe benzodiazepines only for short-term use.
Following are some common side effects of buspirone:
Most people can tolerate buspirone well with fewer side effects compared to other anxiety pills. Hence, it is a good option for long-term use.
Following are some common side effects of using beta-blockers: [5]
Beta-blockers are not a usual option for daily anxiety management and are best for specific situations. For instance, some people like taking it before an anxiety-provoking event, like a presentation or exam.
The following are the side effects of using tricyclic antidepressants:
Due to the TCA side effect profile, these medications are not the first option for anxiety management. Experts usually resort to using them when other options fail.
Following are some common side effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs:
In general, experts recommend strict dietary restrictions along with careful management to steer clear of potential interactions while using MAOIs. Due to this considerable risk, MAOIs are no longer the preferred drug for anxiety management.
While the antianxiety meds side effects explained above are typical, some people may experience rare and severe ones. These serious side effects include the following and require immediate medical care to save lives.
While anxiety pills side effects are prevalent, managing them is possible. Experts recommend adopting a proactive approach in close collaboration with a healthcare provider. Following are some strategies to consider in this regard:
Individuals using anxiety medications on a long-term basis must keep specific tips in mind due to the possible tolerance, dependency, and chronic side effects associated with these pills. Following are some anxiety medication side effects long-term to consider and how to avoid them:
Individuals on long-term anxiety medication must never forget to schedule regular reassessments with a healthcare provider to check if they need to continue it or if alternative measures are more appropriate.
Anxiety medications play a crucial role in managing anxiety disorders and relieving debilitating symptoms to improve overall quality of life. However, these medications can also lead to potential side effects, ranging from mild to severe, which must be managed carefully to avoid long-term damage. Maintaining an open communication link with a mental health professional, undergoing regular assessments, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce anxiety pills side effects.
While anxiety medications are generally helpful in controlling symptoms, they may cause side effects. For instance, benzodiazepines may lead to dependence, addiction, and severe withdrawal when discontinued. However, careful use of anxiety medications and regular assessments and monitoring can reduce these side effects, making their use safer.
The onset of effects can vary depending on the type of anxiety medication a person uses. SSRIs and SNRIs usually take four to six weeks to cause noticeable benefits. Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, can work much more quickly, leading to relief within hours.
Stopping anxiety medications abruptly can lead to discontinuation syndrome, causing symptoms like dizziness, anxiety, and even seizures. Hence, doing so under expert supervision while following a proper tapering regimen is imperative.
Anxiety medications can easily interact with many other drugs, both over-the-counter and prescription pills. Some of these anxiety pills can also interact with certain food items. Hence, informing the doctor about all supplements and medications currently in use is essential.
Choosing an appropriate anti-anxiety medication involves careful consultations with a mental health professional. These professionals are trained to conduct in-depth assessments and suggest an anti-anxiety medication based on a person’s overall health, the nature and severity of anxiety, and any other medicines being used simultaneously.
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