Modern Medication Reference for Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
A physician may choose to prescribe a medication to help treat the symptoms
of Panic Disorder and panic attacks. Beta blockers, Tricyclics, Benzodiazepines,
MAOIs, and SSRIs, are among the type of medications currently prescribed
for the treatment of Panic Disorder and panic attacks.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers can be helpful in controlling the physical symptoms of panic
attack and Panic Disorder and are prescribed to control rapid heartbeat,
shaking, trembling and blushing.
Beta blockers tend to have less side effects than other medications
but can cause light-headedness, drowsiness, short-term memory loss,
decrease in heart rate, insomnia, diarrhea, cold extremities, depression
and nightmares. Like all anti anxiety medication, beta blockers do
not cure panic attacks.
Beta Blockers include:
- Propranolol (Inderal)
- Atenolol (Tenormin)
Tricyclic Antidepressants
These are used to treat Panic Disorder and panic attacks as well as severe
depression. Some of these anti-depressants are also used to treat Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder.
Side effects include a dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty
urinating, postural hypotension, tachycardia, loss of sex drive,
erective failure, sensitivity to sunlight, weight gain, sedation, sweating,
jitteriness, irritation, unusual energy and disturbed sleep patterns.
These medications are not a long term solution to anxiety disorders and panic
attacks.
Tricyclic antidepressants include:
- Imipramine (Tofranil) panic, depression, generalized anxiety
- Desipramine
(Norpramin, Pertofrane and others) panic, depression
- Nortriptyline
(Aventyl or Pamelor) panic, depression
- Amitriptyline (Elavil) panic,
depression
- Doxepin (Sinequan or Adapin) panic, depression
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
panic, OCD, depression
- Venlafaxine (Effexor) OCD, depression
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can be taken as a single dose therapy or several times a
day for months or years. They are supposed to be effective in reducing panic
attack symptoms in 70% – 80% of patients according to doctors; however,
a potential side effect of using benzodiazepines is a panic attack. This
is very alarming for many patients.
Other possible side effects include: drowsiness, decreased mental sharpness,
slurred speech, clumsiness, less occupational efficiency, sexual side effects,
low moods, irritability, agitation and increased susceptibility to the effects
of alcohol.
Benzodiazepines include:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Oxazepam (Serax)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors(MAOIs)
MAOIs are another major anti-depressant family which are often used to treat
panic attacks.
Side effects include disturbed sleep, increased appetite, sexual
side effects, weight gain, dry mouth, sedation and low blood
pressure.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors include:
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a newer type of anti-depressant introduced into the US in the
1980s beginning with Prozac (fluoxetine). These drugs work differently to
traditional antidepressants and work by assisting the brain in maintaining
levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin which is often found to be low in
sufferers of depression, OCD and anxiety and panic disorders. As with all
of the anxiety medications, SSRI's are meant for short term use for specific
conditions and are by no means a solution to Panic Disorder.
Potential side effects include nausea, insomnia, headaches, sexual difficulties
and initial agitation.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors include:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
Mild Tranquilizer
The mild tranquilizer Buspirone (Buspar) has been approved for use for anxiety
with mild depression and also for social phobias in combination with
other medicines for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Buspirone has few side effects, headache and dizziness can occur in
3% - 12% of users but this usually clears within a few days of use.
Other people may experience mild drowsiness.
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