Some people find that medication is helpful in managing an anxiety disorder. Talk with your health care provider about the potential benefits, risks and side effects.

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Traditional Prescriptions:

• Anti-anxiety medications. Certain medications work solely to reduce the emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety. Benzodiazepines can be effective for short-term reduction of symptoms, but can create the risk of dependence when used for a long time. Be sure to review these potential risks if you select these medicines. Click here for more information on these medications.

• Antidepressants. Many antidepressants may also be useful for treating anxiety. These can also be useful if your anxiety has a co-occurring depression. Be sure to check our Medication page for more information.

• Pharmacologic interventions for anxiety include: 

  • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs are used to treat anxiety, depression, panic disorder, fibromyalgia and back pain. They work by blocking or delaying the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps to improve your mood. Some SNRI brand names include Cymbalta, Pristiq, Effexor and Savella. Common side effects of these medications include dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, sexual problems, constipation, weight loss, insomnia, headaches, dry mouth and agitation.

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs are used to correct low serotonin levels in the brain. SSRIs are used to treat anxiety disorders and depression. Some examples of commonly prescribed SSRIs include Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa. Possible side effects of these medications include drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, headache, sexual problems, agitation, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia and blurred vision. In fact, research shows that approximately 30–50 percent of patients on SSRIs experience these kind of mild side effects. (4)

  • Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are used to enhance the effect of GABA, a neurotransmitter that reduces the activity of neurons that cause anxiety. Benzodiazepine drugs are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, pack attacks and seizures (due to their anticonvulsant properties). The most popular types of benzodiazepines include Xanax, Valium, Librium and Tranxene. These medications come with side effects like dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, sweating, trouble sleeping, impaired coordination, confusion and an increased risk of falling in elderly patients. (5) trad med for e.d.

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Hallucinogenic Therapy:

Several recent studies have shown strong evidence that natural and man-made hallucinogenics can be helpful in treating people with acute depression, PTSD and substance and alcohol dpendence. May studies have also shown that many forms of hallucingens, such as psylocibin, are non-addicting. Please consult with your doctor before moving forward with any hallucinogenic or other new or experimental medicine. 

• Ketamine - Ketamine is a man-made hallucinogen that has been legally available and used for decades in US hospitals as an anesthesia. In the past few years, ketamine has gained more interest and usage as an effective treatment for suicidal depression and other forms of depression. Ketamine clinics, where ketamine is administered intraveniously, on-site are now operating in many States in the US. Ketamine differs from traditional antidepressants in its mechanism of action – it affects different brain systems, neurotransmitters, and neural pathways.

• Psychedelics -The natural, psychedelic substance psilocybin (derived from "magic mushrooms") is having a revival of interest as a potential therapy for major depression and for substance abuse. A number of clinical studies are currently underway at major universities, including Johns Hopkins, University of Michigan, NYU and UCLA, with some promising results that may lead to greater availability of this therapy. Psychedelic therapy is currently not legal in any State in the US other than Oregon, but it is legal in a number of countries outside of the US, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Netherlands and Portugal.

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Natural Herbs and Medicines:  

• Ashwagandha  is used as a popular home remedy in India and it has shown promise in the reduction of anxiety

• Ginko is one of the best researched medicinal plants has also been found effective in the treatment of anxiety

• American skullcap is widely used for complaints involving an overactive nervous system such as insomnia, anxiety, and epilepsy.   

• Lemon balm is mainly known as an anxiolytic (reduces anxiety), nootropic, anti-depressant, and carminative (reduces excess gas). Double-blind placebo-controlled human studies have shown positive results for lemon balm extracts in the improvement of mood, reduction of anxiety, and improvement of cognitive abilities.  

• Minchex - It is said to help keep the nervous system healthy. The ingredients found in Min-Chex are said to induce a natural calming effect by exerting their individual influence on specific parts of the central nervous system.