| Drug Class |
Brand Name |
Generic Name |
Target Anxiety Disorder
|
How It's Thought to Work |
Benefits
|
Draw-
backs |
Anti-
convulsants |
Neurontin
|
Gabapentin
|
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
|
Affects GABA.
|
Usually effective within 2-4 weeks.
|
Sedation
|
| Azaspirones |
BuSpar |
Buspirone
|
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
|
Enhances the activity of serotonin
|
Effective for many people; less sedating than benzo
diazepines
|
Works slowly.
|
Benzo-
diazepines |
Ativan
Centrax
Dalmane
Klonopin
Halcion
Librium
Paxipam
Restoril
Serax
Tranxene
Valium
Xanax
|
Lorazepam
Prazepam
Flurazepam
Clonazepam
Triazolam
Chlordiazepoxide
Halazepam Benzodiazepines
Temazepam
Oxazepam
Clorazepate
Diazepam
Alprazolam
|
GAD, SAD,
Panic Disorder
|
Enhances the function of GABA.
|
Fast-acting, some people feel better the first day.
|
Potentially habit-forming; can cause drowsiness; can produce withdrawal symptoms; dis-
continuation should be done slowly.
|
Beta
Blockers |
Inderal
Tenormin
|
Propanolol
Atenolol
|
SAD
|
Reduces ability to produce adrenaline
|
Fast acting; not habit-forming.
|
Should not be used with certain pre-existing medical conditions, such as : asthma, congestive heart failure, diabetes, vascular disease, hyper-
thyroidism and angina pectoris.
|
| Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) |
Eldepryl
Marplan
Nardil
Parnate
|
Selegilene
Isocarboxid
Phenelzine
Tranylcypromine
|
Panic Disorder, SAD, PTSD
|
Blocks the effect of an important brain enzyme, preventing the breakdown of serotonin and noradrenaline.
|
Effective for many people, especially for patients not responding to other medications; 2-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.
|
Strict dietary restrictions and potential drug interactions; changes in blood pressure, moderate weight gain; reduced sexual response; insomnia.
|
|
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
|
Celexa
Lexapro
Luvox
Paxil
Prozac
Zoloft
|
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Fluvoxamine
Paroxetine
Fluoxetine
Sertraline
|
Panic Disorder, OCD, SAD, GAD
|
Affects the concentration of the neuro-
transmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.
|
Effective, with fewer side effects than other medications. 4-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.
|
Some people experience nausea, nervousness and diminished sex drive.
|
|
Tricyclic Anti-
depressants (TCAs)
|
Adapin
Anafranil
Aventyl
Elavil
Janimine
Ludiomil
Norpramin
Pamelor
Pertofrane
Sinequan
Surmontil
Tofranil
Vivactil
|
Doxepin
Clomiprimine
Nortriptyline
Amitriptyline
Imipramine
Maprotiline
Desipramine
Nortriptyline
Desipramine
Doxepin
Trimipramine
Imipramine
Protriptyline
|
Panic Disorder, PTSD,
OCD (Anafranil only)
|
Regulates serotonin and/or noradrenaline in the brain.
|
Effective for many people, may take 2-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.
|
Dry mouth; constipation; blurry vision; difficulty urinating; dizziness; low blood pressure; moderate weight gain; sexual side effects.
|
|
Other Anti-
depressants
|
Desyrel
Effexor
Pristiq
Serzone
|
Trazodone
Venlafaxine
Desvenlafaxine
Nefazodone
|
Panic Disorder, OCD, SAD, GAD
|
Affects the concentration of the neuro-
transmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.
|
Effective, with fewer side effects than other medications. 4-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.
|
Some people experience nausea, nervousness and diminished sex drive.
|
