This chart lists the names of drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders,
the disorder for which they're indicated, and how they are thought to work.
NOTE:
The information in this table applies to the treatment of anxiety
disorders in adults age 18 and older, not to the treatment
of these conditions in children and adolescents.
KEY
| GAD
= Generalized anxiety disorder OCD = Obsessive-compulsive cisorder PD = Panic disorder PTSD = Posttraumatic stress disorder SAD = Social anxiety disorder |
* Generic commercially available † FDA approved for the treatment of one or more anxiety disorders |
| Drug Class | Brand Name | Generic Name | Target Anxiety Disorder | How It's Thought to Work |
| Antidepressants | ||||
| Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) |
Celexa Lexapro † Luvox † Luvox CR † Paxil * † Prozac * † Zoloft † |
Citalopram Escitalopram Fluvoxamine Paroxetine Fluoxetine Sertraline |
PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD | Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders. |
| Tricyclic
Antidepressants (TCAs) |
Adapin
* Anafranil * Aventyl * Elavil * Ludiomil * Norpramin * Pamelor * Sinequan * Surmontil * Tofranil * Vivactil * |
Doxepin Clomiprimine Nortriptyline Amitriptyline Maprotiline Desipramine Nortriptyline Doxepin Trimipramine Imipramine Protriptyline |
PD,
PTSD, GAD OCD (Anafranil only) |
Affects
the concentration and activity of the eurotransmitters serotonin and
norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety
disorders. |
| Monoamine
Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) |
Marplan
* Nardil * Parnate * |
Isocarboxid Phenelzine Tranylcypromine |
PD, SAD, PTSD | Blocks the effect of an important brain enzyme, preventing the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine. |
| Other Antidepressants | Cymbalta Desyrel * Effexor † Remeron |
Duloxetine Trazodone Venlafaxine MIrtazapine |
PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD (sparse data for PTSD) | Affects the concentration of the neurotransmitters serotonin and/or norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders. |
| Wellbutrin | Bupropion | No
current indication for any anxiety disorder. Depression, possibly ADHD |
Exact
mechanism unknown; effects may be mediated through the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. |
|
Anxiolytics |
||||
Azapirones |
BuSpar * † |
Buspirone | GAD |
Enhances the activity of serotonin. |
Benzodiazepines |
Ativan
* |
Lorazepam Flurazepam Clonazepam Triazolam Chlordiazepoxide Temazepam Oxazepam Clorazepate Diazepam Alprazolam |
GAD, SAD, PD |
Exact mechanism
unknown; |
Antihistamines |
Atarax, Vistaril * | Hydroxyzine | GAD | Sedative effects through blockade of histamine receptors in the brain. |
Anticonvulsants |
Augmentation therapy |
These medications may be added when symptoms respond partially to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment. |
||
| Gabitril Neurontin |
Tiagabine |
Enhances the function of GABA. | ||
| Depakote
* Lamictal Topimax |
Valproate |
Exact mechanisms unknown; possible effects include enhancing or inhibiting effects of neurotransmitters associated with anxiety and blockade of sodium channels in the brain. |
||
Noradrenergic Agents |
||||
Beta Blockers |
Inderal
* |
Propranolol |
Performance anxiety, possibly PD | Blocks receptors associated with physiologic symptoms of anxiety. |
Alpha Blocker |
Minipress * |
Prazosin | PTSD (nightmares) | |
Catapres |
Clonidine |
Some evidence in PTSD, anticipatory anxiety | ||
| Atypical Antipsychotics | Augmentation therapy | These medications may be added when symptoms respond partially to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment. | ||
| Abilify Geodon Risperdal Seroquel Zyprexa |
Aripiprazole Ziprasidone Risperidone Quetiepine Olanzapine |
Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders. |
DISCLAIMER
The information above is for educational purposes only. Talk to your doctor
if you have questions or are experiencing side effects
with a medication.
Updated 04/08