Table: Medications Used to Treat Anxiety Disorders-Merck Manual Consumer Version

Medications Used to Treat Anxiety Disorders

Drug	Uses	Some Side Effects	Comments
Benzodiazepines
	Generalized anxiety disorder Panic disorder Phobic disorders	Sleepiness, memory problems, impaired coordination, and slowed reaction time May lead to medication dependence	Most commonly used type of antianxiety medication Promote mental and physical relaxation by reducing nerve activity in the brain Begin to work quickly, sometimes within an hour Should not be used with other medications that cause drowsiness
	Generalized anxiety disorder	Dizziness and headache	Does not cause drowsiness or interact with alcohol Does not lead to medication dependence May take several weeks to start working
Antidepressants*
MAOIs	Generalized anxiety disorder Panic disorder Phobic disorders Posttraumatic stress disorder	See table Medications Used to Treat Depression	See table Medications Used to Treat Depression
Other antianxiety medications
	Generalized anxiety disorder	Dizziness and headache	Does not cause drowsiness or interact with alcohol Does not lead to drug dependence May take several weeks to start working
* Not all of the antidepressants listed work for all of the uses that are listed. MAOI = monoamine oxidase inhibitor; SNRI = selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor; SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; TCA = tricyclic antidepressant.

Drug

Uses

Some Side Effects

Comments

Benzodiazepines

Generalized anxiety disorder

Panic disorder

Phobic disorders

Sleepiness, memory problems, impaired coordination, and slowed reaction time

May lead to medication dependence

Most commonly used type of antianxiety medication

Promote mental and physical relaxation by reducing nerve activity in the brain

Begin to work quickly, sometimes within an hour

Should not be used with other medications that cause drowsiness

Generalized anxiety disorder

Dizziness and headache

Does not cause drowsiness or interact with alcohol

Does not lead to medication dependence

May take several weeks to start working

Antidepressants*

MAOIs

Generalized anxiety disorder

Panic disorder

Phobic disorders

Posttraumatic stress disorder

See table Medications Used to Treat Depression

Other antianxiety medications

Generalized anxiety disorder

Dizziness and headache

Does not cause drowsiness or interact with alcohol

Does not lead to drug dependence

May take several weeks to start working

* Not all of the antidepressants listed work for all of the uses that are listed.

MAOI = monoamine oxidase inhibitor; SNRI = selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor; SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; TCA = tricyclic antidepressant.