What’s the most important thing to know about GAD medications?
If you’ve been diagnosed with GAD, certain medications may be used to help manage your condition.
Understanding the benefits and risks of these drugs can help you decide which medications may be right for you.
Jonathan Nourok / Getty Images
Antidepressants can also be helpful for people with both GAD and depression.
Here are several to consider, along with their potential side effects and addiction risk.
This can be helpful for those with anxiety aslow serotonin levelshave been linked to anxiety issues.
Increased anxiety, confusion, and irregular heartbeat are all signs of serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening.
If you experiencesigns of serotonin syndrome, it’s critical to get medical help immediately.
Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter also involved with mood and sleep, along with memory, alertness, and arousal.
Studies show that SSRIs are just as effective as SNRIs fortreating anxiety disorders.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Research studies have found that this antidepressant throw in can effectively manage GAD.
This creates an anti-anxiety effect.
Some side effects are minor, such as nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and trouble sleeping.
They work by strengthening the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA.
This helps you feel more calm and relaxed while also improving your ability to sleep.
Now it is available under the generic name of buspirone.
Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone does not lead to drug dependence.
Research has found that it is effective short term, along with being highly effective for people withsevere anxiety.
The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to live with anxiety.
Many treatment options exist, including a variety of medication options.
Talk to your health provider about your GAD symptoms and treatment-related concerns.
Based on your condition and situation, they can help find a medication that you feel comfortable taking.
2016;24(4):243-256. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000098
Cleveland Clinic.Serotonin.
2021;13(3):387-401. doi:10.3390/neurolint13030038
Cleveland Clinic.Norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
2018;36(3):198-212. doi:10.1002/da.22854
Cleveland Clinic.SNRIs (Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Suicidality in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications.
Cleveland Clinic.Beyond depression: Other uses for tricyclic antidepressants.
Menkes D, Bosanac P, Castle D.MAOIs does the evidence warrant their resurrection?Australas Psychiatry.
Anxiety & Depression Association of America.SSRIs and benzodiazepines for general anxiety disorders (GAD).
2018;19(8):883-894. doi:10.1080/14656566.2018.1472767
Soyka M.Treatment of benzodiazepine dependence.New Eng J Med.
2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584
Zahreddine N, Richa S.Non-antidepressant treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.Curr Clin Pharmacol.
2015;10(2):86-96. doi:10.2174/15748847113089990058
Ansara ED.Management of treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder.Ment Health Clinic.
2015;64:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.02.017
Melarango AJ.Pharmacology for anxiety disorders: From first-line options to treatment resistance.Focus.
2021;19(2):145-160. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200048
