Anxiety and It’s Medications

by Rene A Lacape

Anti anxiety drugs work by producing a calming and relaxing effect in the body. Like any other drug, anti anxiety are not without side effects and it is vital to seek an advise with doctors to understand the drug’s effect on individuals before commencing any course of treatment.

Before the wide use of modern anti-anxiety drugs, anxiety used to be treated with anxiolytics which are anxiety agents, while these older drugs are still relevant today, there are only used in certain circumstances only and doctors still recommend modern anti anxiety drugs to patients for best results as it is more effective.

Benzodiazepines remain one of the more popular Benzodiazepines based anti anxiety drugs of today. It is also available in other brands such as Alprazolam (Xanax) and Lorazepam (Ativan). There is a lot of doubt as to the use of Valium to treat anxiety patients among medical experts; nevertheless, doctors themselves continue to prescribe valium to patients as no further evidence has proved that the consumption of Valium is harmful.

Among the brand names that are anti-anxiety drugs are: Citalopram, Fluoxetine and Fluvoxamine and other lesser known barnds. All of the aforementioned drugs are serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors or more commonly known as SSRIs. One major advantage of such drugs is their minimum side effects which do not affect patients severely unlike other anti anxiety drugs. The drugs can also be consumed in short terms and will not cause adverse effects when discontinued. However, the drug is not without drawbacks, medication has to be continued for 5 weeks or more to see any improvements.

While there are known and reported side effects from the continued use of Benzodiazepines and Buspirones, people suffering from milder complaints can use these anti anxiety drugs without becoming overly addicted to them. Benzodiazepines can be given at least 30 to 60 minutes before a person suffering from anxiety is exposed to any stressful situations. Buspirones take at least 2 to 3 weeks before an improvement can be seen.

Patients have to be instilled awareness on the importance of seeking medical attention to determine the types of medication that are suitable to cure their anxiety disorder. This is because every individual may have distinct medical conditions and background or certain allergic that has to be taken onto consideration when prescribing drugs. It is also important that expectant or breastfeeding mothers and women that are trying to conceive make known of their intention to doctors. Only through proper consultation with a certified medical practitioner can we be assured suitable and safe medication and recover in the quickest possible.

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