This is usually reserved for people who don’t respond to SSRIs or SNRIs alone.īut atypical antipsychotics can cause bothersome side effects. Some studies show that atypical antipsychotics help treat GAD when added to another anti-anxiety medication, like an SSRI or SNRI. They include medications like olanzapine (Zyprexa), aripiprazole (Abilify), and quetiapine (Seroquel). Atypical antipsychoticsĪtypical antipsychotics are usually used to treat other mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Taking pregabalin as prescribed can lower your risk of dependence. If you have a prescription for pregabalin, talk to your healthcare provider about how to take it. It's more likely than non-controlled medications to cause dependence and misuse. Pregabalin is also a controlled substance. In fact, weight gain is seen in almost all clinical studies of pregabalin. Pregabalin may have significant side effects, such as dizziness, fatigue, and weight gain. It can be used alone or added to an SSRI or SNRI for GAD. Some studies suggest it works faster than SSRIs and SNRIs. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is usually used to treat nerve pain but can be used off-label for GAD. But it sometimes causes mild side effects, like dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. It’s often added to an SSRI or SNRI if anxiety symptoms are not fully controlled. Buspironeīuspirone is an anti-anxiety medication that’s FDA approved to treat GAD. One option is to add another medication to your SSRI or SNRI to help address your symptoms more fully. If you try a few SSRIs or SNRIs and they don’t help your anxiety, you still have other options. Duloxetine is more likely to cause a headache. While both these SNRIs can cause sexual problems, like ED, it’s more likely with venlafaxine. SNRIs include medications like venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). Sexual side effects, like erectile dysfunction (ED) or lowered sex drive Increased anxiety when first starting the SSRI SSRIs do have some side effects in common though, including: ![]() All SSRIs work similarly, but may differ in their side effects and how long they last in the body. But any of the other SSRIs, like sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac), can be used off-label to treat GAD. SSRIsĮscitalopram (Lexapro) and paroxetine (Paxil) are FDA approved to treat GAD. You may have to try more than one SSRI or SNRI before finding a good fit. And some people might take them for longer.Įach SSRI and SNRI has its own unique features. Your healthcare provider may suggest taking them for up to 6 to 12 months to treat symptoms. SSRIs and SNRIs can take about a month to start reducing anxiety symptoms. In fact, they have the most evidence to support their use and have a lower risk of side effects compared to other medication options. They’re antidepressants that also work to treat anxiety symptoms. ![]() Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors ( SNRIs) are first-choice medication options for GAD. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) These are “first-choice options.” Second-choice options can be tried if first-choice options aren’t effective. ![]() Naturally, you’d want the front of the line to be reserved for medications that have research to support their use, and have the fewest side effects. Imagine that all anxiety medication options are standing in a line. They can help while you get established on your long-term treatment or when your anxiety symptoms are overwhelming. But these aren’t considered first-choice medications. This means that they may take a few weeks to kick in, and they may be used for many months to years.įor people who need treatment to work faster, there are short-acting medications that can help. It’s worth knowing that first-choice medications work by treating anxiety symptoms in the long-term. If you and your healthcare provider decide medications may be helpful, there are many to choose from. Therapy techniques for anxiety include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a type of mindfulness. GAD treatment can involve therapy, GAD medications, or a combination of the two. View more medications How is GAD treated?
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