Anxiety medications can provide relief from some of the problematic symptoms brought on by this condition. However medication for anxiety cannot be a long term solution as these medicines also have some side effects. Before opting for medication for anxiety it is important to determine whether the medicine is suitable for the particular patient.

Different kinds of anxiety medications are prescribed for treating the different anxiety disorders. These medicines may include traditional medicines like benzodiazepines or newer drugs like antidepressants along with beta blockers. While these medicines provide relief from the symptoms they do not cure the basic cause of this condition. Anxiety medications should be prescribed only after a careful evaluation of the patients. The symptoms experienced, their duration and severity should be carefully identified before prescribing these medicines. Many of these medicines are addictive or habit forming and so the dosages should be taken strictly as per the directions of the doctor.

Along with anxiety medications it is extremely important to incorporate lifestyle changes including adequate sleep, healthy diet and regular exercise so as to heal from this condition. Anti anxiety medicines also called tranquilizers work by slowing the nervous system. Benzodiazepines are common anti anxiety medicines and these include klonopin, xanax, ativan and valium.

Benzodiazepines are quite fast acting and tend to bring relief in around thirty minutes to approximately one hour. These can be particularly effective during panic attack or other anxiety episodes. These anxiety medications however make people feel quite sleepy, uncoordinated and foggy and this may cause problems with school, work and other everyday activities. These medicines are metabolized slowly and so may build within the body and this can result in sedation.

The typical side effects of benzodiazepines are clumsiness, slurred speech, drowsiness, dizziness, impaired thinking, memory loss, nausea and confusion. Long term use of benzodiazepines can cause depression among the users. Some anxiety medications are known for other effects like hostility, rage, aggressiveness, mania and hallucinations.

Other medications like antidepressants may also be prescribed and these include tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and newer atypical antidepressants. Antidepressants tend to take around 4 to 6 weeks to become effective. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that may be prescribed include Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa and Lexapro.

The side effects associated with the use of antidepressant medications include sleepiness, nausea, nervousness, weight gain, dizziness, stomach upset and headaches. Buspirone are also newer anxiety medications that have mild tranquilizing effects. This medicine works by increasing the serotonin and decreasing the dopamine within the brain. The benefit of using this medicine is that it does not have a sedating effect and does not affect coordination or memory like other drugs. The side effects associated with buspirone include nausea, headache, constipation, dry mouth and upset stomach.

Beta blockers are also used as anxiety medications to provide relief from the physical symptoms associated with this condition. The physical symptoms or problems like trembling of voice, dizziness, shaky hands and rapid heart rate are reduced by these medicines. These medicines work by blocking the effects of the stress hormone norepinephrine which is responsible for causing the fight or flight response of the body. The side effects associated with these medicines include sleepiness, nausea, slow pulse and light headedness.

While taking anxiety medications it is important to understand that it takes some time for the medicines to work. Alcohol should not be taken with these medicines as this combination can be lethal. The medication response should be closely watched so as to identify the side effects caused by these medicines. The dosages of these medicines should be changed only as per the directions of the doctor. It is important for patients to also seek therapy as medication can only provide limited relief from the symptoms and cannot resolve the underlying cause of the anxiety.