Questions & Answers About Anxiety Meds

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Registered: 03-11-2004
Questions & Answers About Anxiety Meds
Mon, 09-26-2005 - 10:10am
September 26, 2005
Welcome to today's edition of Emotional Health.
Questions and Answers About Anxiety Meds
Psychiatrists or other physicians can prescribe medications for anxiety disorders. These doctors often work closely with psychologists, social workers, or counselors who provide psychotherapy. Although medications won't cure an anxiety disorder, they can keep the symptoms under control and enable you to lead a normal, fulfilling life.
Before taking medication for an anxiety disorder:
Ask your doctor to tell you about the effects and side effects of the drug he or she is prescribing.
Tell your doctor about any alternative therapies or over-the-counter medications you are using.
Ask your doctor when and how the medication will be stopped. Some drugs can't safely be stopped abruptly; they have to be tapered slowly under a physician's supervision.
Be aware that some medications are effective in anxiety disorders only as long as they are taken regularly, and symptoms may occur again when the medications are discontinued.
Work together with your doctor to determine the right dosage of the right medication to treat your anxiety disorder.
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.
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