The most commonly prescribed ones include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed type of antidepressant and include: Fluoxetine. Citalopram. Sertraline.
SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. Common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR. Pros: They are effective for a lot of people and they have a solid safety profile.
What are the most common antidepressant medications? Sertraline, also known by the brand name Zoloft, used for multiple mental health and mood disorders, is the most prescribed antidepressant dispensed to U.S.
Escitalopram is an SSRI under the brand name Lexapro. Individuals taking it may notice therapeutic effects within the first week. It has the fastest known response of an SSRI and the mechanisms behind it are still being studied.
Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour. That makes them very effective when taken during a panic attack or another overwhelming anxiety episode.
Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative that may sometimes be used as a short-term treatment during a particularly severe period of anxiety. This is because they help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking the medication. If you're prescribed a benzodiazepine, it'll usually be diazepam.
The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as benzodiazepines; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant, doctors can prescribe them to people with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). According to one article, doctors consider SSRIs to be the first-line drug treatment for anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) cover both depression and certain anxiety disorders including GAD and PD. However, TCAs are ineffective in SAD and post traumatic stress disorder where SSRIs are required.
Bupropion and mirtazapine are as effective as SSRIs and SNRIs. And both are considered first-choice options for treating depression. But trazodone may be a better choice if a person has both depression and insomnia (trouble sleeping).
Practice changer. When you initiate antidepressant therapy for patients who have not been treated for depression previously, select either sertraline or escitalopram. A large meta-analysis found these medications to be superior to other “new-generation” antidepressants. A: Meta-analysis of 117 high-quality studies.
Recap. SSRIs are considered the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders and often have fewer adverse effects than other medications.
First-line drugs are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Benzodiazepines are not recommended for routine use. Other treatment options include pregabalin, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, moclobemide, and others.
SSRIs. This group of drugs, including fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Cipralex) and sertraline (Zoloft), is usually the first choice for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.
Sertraline (Zoloft) has a more favorable safety profile compared to paroxetine. Sertraline is the safest SSRI for people with a history of heart problems. Sertraline is also considered safe in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and is approved for use in teens as well as adults.
Stimulants. Improve fatigue and concentration. These drugs include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta).
Doctors widely prescribe some antidepressants for people with anxiety. Examples include amitriptyline (Elavil), mirtazapine (Remeron), and trazodone (Desyrel). Melatonin-like medications: These medications mimic melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle and promotes sleep.
Benadryl is readily available and fast-acting, can have a calming effect, and can even help you sleep, so it may help you deal with feelings of anxiety. That said, there are potential downsides to off-label use medications like Benadryl for anxiety.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Klonopin, provide rapid relief from a panic attack. Providers may also prescribe them to prevent cases of acute anxiety like those stemming from a plane ride, for those with a fear of flying, or the moments leading up to a surgery.
The FDA has approved Auvelity, a new antidepressant that may treat symptoms faster than other medications. The drug may be especially effective for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Auvelity joins ketamine as a potential new wave of faster-acting antidepressants.
Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Prozac gives people more energy than other antidepressants. That being said, it can be helpful for those with low energy. Fluoxetine treats many mental health issues, including depression, OCD, and panic disorder.