MEDICATIONS
FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS
Medication
can be very useful in treating anxiety disorders and is often
used in combination with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral
therapy. The most important aspect of the process of beginning
a medication is to have an open and honest discussion with your
physician, followed by ongoing evaluation and monitoring.
While
medications can be extremely effective in treating the symptoms
of anxiety disorders, such as worry, panic attacks, insomnia,
and difficulty concentrating, they have notable limitations:
-
Medications
may not resolve all of the symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
To achieve complete remission, which is the goal
of any treatment, you may need to make important changes
in your life. You may also benefit from individual or group
psychotherapy treatment.
-
Medications will work only if they are taken according the explicit instructions of your
physician.
If
your physician does not want to spend the time to answer
your questions, you may need a referral to a different
physician. Visit the ADAA Online Bookstore for titles
on treatment, including medication, for adults and children.
Discussing
Your Medications: What You Need to Know
Here are some tips to help you effectively talk with your doctor
about medications:
- Let
your doctor know all medications you are taking, including prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, herbal
or dietary supplements, and vitamins.
- Make sure you
get all of the information you need about a new prescription. How will the medication
help you? What side effects might occur? Should you avoid
any foods or beverages? Are drug
interactions with other prescriptions a possibility?
- Make
sure you know when to take a new medication and how, such as on any empty
stomach or with food, in the morning or evening, and how frequently.
- Find
out how long it should take for the medication to start working
and what you should expect when this happens.
- Ask
for the prescribing physician's after-hours phone number in case you develop side effects.
-
A good source of information about medications
and over-the-counter products is your pharmacist, who should have information about all your prescriptions
to advise you about possible drug interactions, side
effects, and instructions for use.
Side
Effects
Although many patients do not experience any side effects of anxiety
medications, the most commonly reported include the following:
-
headaches
- nausea
-
stomach upset
- dizziness
- sexual
side effects
Most side effects are temporary, but some may be persistent and
require a dosage adjustment or a change of medication. Rarely will medications
prescribed for anxiety disorders require blood monitoring.
What
should I do if I experience a side effect?
- Contact your physician, even if
you are not sure a symptom is caused by a medication.
- Do not stop taking a medication without consulting the prescribing
physician; abrupt discontinuation may cause other health risks.
Many
patients are concerned about becoming addicted to
medications. Those commonly prescribed for anxiety
disorders do not cause addiction, although some (such as alprazolam, diazepam, and clonazepam) may be associated
with dependency. Inform your physician if you have a history of substance abuse. Most patients can stop
taking any medication safely under supervision when the
course of treatment is finished.
Patient-Assistance Programs for Prescription Drugs
Major pharmaceutical companies and states offer programs
to help provide low-cost or no-cost medications to patients unable to afford their mental health medications; below are links to patient-assistance
programs. Eligibility
and application instructions vary by program and are subject to
change.
Partnership
for Prescription Assistance
Alliance4Aging, Inc.
Rx Outreach
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
of America (PhRMA)
NeedyMeds
Bridges to Access
Medicare-approved
U Share™ Prescription Drug Discount Card program, sponsored by United HealthCare Insurance Company:
1-800-344-3095
