What Medications Are Effective at Treating Panic Attacks?

By Candace Martin

If you have been having panic attacks pretty often, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about panic attack medication that may work well for you. And, even if you don't want to take prescription medications, there are several natural remedies that you can explore as well.

Several types of antidepressants are used to treat panic attacks. These are often effective and can elevate the mood of the person. However there are some disadvantages when using them. They can take a while to kick in and some patients have reported a significant weight gain. Patients with glaucoma or heart problems may not be able to take some kinds of antidepressants safely. Some side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision and irregular sleep patterns. It is important not to get discouraged and stop taking these medications before they have a chance to work.

Requiring no dietary changes, SSRIs are a type of antidepressant medication that are virtually impossible to overdose on. They have very few side effects. Although some people experience nausea, headache, or tiredness, these symptoms usually fade within a week. Your doctor starts you on a relatively low dose, to accustom you to the effects. Your dosage may rise, if your doctor determines you need more of the medication. You do not develop a tolerance, thus your doctor does not need to increase your dosage every few days.

Tricyclics are also used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Similar to SSRIs, tricyclics harmonize the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain. However, tricyclics have more side effects, including weight gain, drowsiness, vomiting, and fainting. Imimpramine (Tofranil) is commonly prescribed for anxiety.

Benzodiazepines, such as Alprazolam (Xanax ) and diazepam (Valium), are sometimes used to treat recurrent panic attacks. Side effects are few, but some patients feel drowsy. Unfortunately, your body develops a tolerance to benzodiazepines, which means you must continually increase the dosage to achieve the same effect. Benzodiazepines are also addictive. If you've had a history of drug abuse, stay away from benzodiazepines.

When beta blockers first appeared in pharmacies, they were meant for heart conditions. Interestingly enough, doctors then discovered their potency as anti-panic attack medication. During a panic attack, your heart beats very fast. Beta-blockers such as propanolol prevent this from happening, therefore relieving many of the symptoms of a panic attack.

Foods that are high in vitamins B and C will increase the strength of your nervous system, and will give you the ability to think clearly in situations that may normally cause you to be anxious. You may even find that as you are making deliberate changes to your diet in order to improve your health, you will have the confidence that you need to handle the stress in your life with more ease. - 32513

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