Table: Drugs Used to Treat Anxiety Disorders - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

Drugs Used to Treat Anxiety Disorders

Drug	Uses	Some Side Effects	Comments
Benzodiazepines
Alprazolam Chlordiazepoxide Clonazepam Clorazepate Diazepam Lorazepam Oxazepam	Generalized anxiety disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder consists of excessive nervousness and worry about a number of activities or events. People have anxiety more days than not over a period of 6 months or longer. People... read more Panic disorder Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder A panic attack is a brief period of extreme distress, anxiety, or fear that begins suddenly and is accompanied by physical and/or emotional symptoms. Panic disorder involves recurrent panic... read more Phobic disorders Specific Phobic Disorders Specific phobic disorders involve persistent, unrealistic, intense anxiety about and fear of specific situations, circumstances, or objects. The anxiety caused by a phobic disorder can interfere... read more	Sleepiness, memory problems, impaired coordination, and slowed reaction time May lead to drug dependence	Most commonly used type of antianxiety drug Promote mental and physical relaxation by reducing nerve activity in the brain Begin to work quickly, sometimes within an hour Should not be used by people with an alcohol use disorder Alcohol Use Alcohol (ethanol) is a depressant (it slows down brain and nervous system functioning). Consuming large amounts rapidly or regularly can cause health problems, including organ damage, coma,... read more
Buspirone
—	Generalized anxiety disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder consists of excessive nervousness and worry about a number of activities or events. People have anxiety more days than not over a period of 6 months or longer. People... read more	Dizziness and headache	Does not cause drowsiness or interact with alcohol Does not lead to drug dependence May take several weeks to start working
Antidepressants*
SSRIs (such as escitalopram) SNRIs (such as venlafaxine) MAOIs TCAs (such as clomipramine)	Generalized anxiety disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder consists of excessive nervousness and worry about a number of activities or events. People have anxiety more days than not over a period of 6 months or longer. People... read more Panic disorder Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder A panic attack is a brief period of extreme distress, anxiety, or fear that begins suddenly and is accompanied by physical and/or emotional symptoms. Panic disorder involves recurrent panic... read more Phobic disorders Specific Phobic Disorders Specific phobic disorders involve persistent, unrealistic, intense anxiety about and fear of specific situations, circumstances, or objects. The anxiety caused by a phobic disorder can interfere... read more Posttraumatic stress disorder Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves intense, unpleasant, and dysfunctional reactions beginning after an overwhelming traumatic event. Events that threaten death or serious injury can... read more	See table Drugs Used to Treat Depression Drugs Used to Treat Depression	See table Drugs Used to Treat Depression Drugs Used to Treat Depression
* 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.