Tips for taking anxiety meds

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tips for taking anxiety meds
3
Fri, 04-29-2005 - 7:02am



Tips for Taking Anxiety Meds

If you're taking medication for an anxiety disorder, here are a few facts to keep in mind.

Medicines called benzodiazepines relieve symptoms quickly and have few side effects, although drowsiness can be a problem. Because people can develop a tolerance to them — and would have to continue increasing the dosage to get the same effect — benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for short periods of time. One exception is panic disorder, for which they may be used for six months to a year. People who have had problems with drug or alcohol abuse are not usually good candidates for these medications because they may become dependent on them.

Some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking benzodiazepines, although reducing the dosage can diminish those symptoms. In certain instances, the symptoms of anxiety can rebound after these medications are stopped. Potential problems with benzodiazepines have led some physicians to shy away from using them, or to prescribe them in smaller doses.

Benzodiazepines include clonazepam, which is used for social phobia and general anxiety disorder (GAD); alprazolam, which is helpful for panic disorder and GAD; and lorazepam, which is also useful for panic disorder.

Buspirone, a member of a class of drugs called azipirones, is a newer anti-anxiety medication that is used to treat GAD. Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Unlike the benzodiazepines, buspirone must be taken consistently for at least two weeks to achieve an anti-anxiety effect



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Fri, 04-29-2005 - 9:21pm

I take Xanax as needed, where does that fit into the classifications?

Renee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 04-30-2005 - 7:18am
That's one of the benzodiazepines, Renee. Valium, xanax, ativan & klonopin are all in that family of meds. HTH (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Sat, 04-30-2005 - 9:55am

Thanks, Jan.

Renee :o)