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Anxiety Medications

Other names: Anti-anxiety; Nervousness; Worry

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 medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Xanax 8.5 558 reviews for Xanax to treat Anxiety Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
alprazolam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
clonazepam Off-label 8.5 813 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
alprazolam 8.6 862 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
buspirone 5.9 1113 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
lorazepam 8.0 681 reviews for lorazepam to treat Anxiety Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
lorazepam systemic
Brand names:
Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, miscellaneous antiemetics, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
hydroxyzine 5.6 930 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
Ativan 8.1 340 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
Lexapro 7.6 966 reviews for Lexapro to treat Anxiety Rx C N X
Generic name:
escitalopram systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
BuSpar 6.0 543 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
escitalopram 7.5 1600 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 7.9 483 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
diazepam 8.4 485 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
Valium 8.7 203 reviews for Valium to treat Anxiety Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
diazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
propranolol Off-label 7.5 378 reviews for propranolol to treat Anxiety Rx C N X
Generic name:
propranolol systemic
Drug class:
non-cardioselective beta blockers, group II antiarrhythmics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Cymbalta 6.5 309 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
bupropion Off-label 6.0 183 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
Vistaril 5.3 196 reviews for Vistaril to treat Anxiety Rx N N X
Generic name:
hydroxyzine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
trazodone Off-label 6.5 137 reviews for trazodone to treat Anxiety Rx C N X
Generic name:
trazodone systemic
Drug class:
phenylpiperazine antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
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
duloxetine 6.5 413 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
clonidine Off-label 7.2 95 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
mirtazapine Off-label 6.7 549 reviews for mirtazapine to treat Anxiety Rx C N X
Generic name:
mirtazapine systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Paxil 7.2 273 reviews for Paxil to treat Anxiety Rx D N X
Generic name:
paroxetine systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
venlafaxine 6.5 421 reviews for venlafaxine to treat Anxiety Rx C N X
Generic name:
venlafaxine systemic
Brand name:
Effexor XR
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
paroxetine 7.2 378 reviews for paroxetine to treat Anxiety Rx D N X
Generic name:
paroxetine systemic
Brand names:
Paxil, Paxil CR
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

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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