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Suggest Medicines For Anxiety

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Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Question: What medications treat root cause of unspecified anxiety? Appears almost daily, usually in late afternoon.
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Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
SSRIs are the first choice...

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.

I understand that you are suffering from unspecified / generalised anxiety and would like to know about medications to treat the same. In such cases, a class of medication called SSRIs are the first choice for treating generalised anxiety. There are different SSRIs like Escitalopram, Citalopram, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, etc. In your case, since there are concerns about weight gain, I would consider Sertraline among the above mentioned SSRIs.

The other type of medication that can be useful in the short term management of anxiety is benzodiazepines like Alprazolam, Clonazepam, etc. But the problem with this type of medication is the risk of dependence / addiction. This is the reason why your doctor may have stopped Klonopin (Clonazepam).

Finally, there is one more option available - an antianxiety medication called Buspirone. This can help ease anxiety symptom as well as has the advantage of not causing weight gain or dependence.

So, you can discuss about these options with your doctor and make an informed decision on the choice of medication for your anxiety symptoms.

Best wishes,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (18 hours later)
Sertine vs Wellbutrin vs Cymbala for anxiety. Pro and con. Bus par did not do any thing.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Pros and cons given.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have given below the pros and cons of each of the medication that you have asked about.

1) Sertraline
Pros: First-line recommended medicine for generalized anxiety disorder. Quite effective for long term relief of anxiety symptoms. Dose adjustment is easier.
Cons: May take a few weeks for full effects to take over. Sexual side effects can be there.

2) Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
Pros: Least likelihood for weight gain. Very less sexual side effects
Cons: Not a primary antianxiety medication. Risk of seizures in high doses.

3) Cymbalta (Duloxetine)
Pros: Quicker onset of action. Relatively less weight gain.Sleep disturbances can occur.

Hope I have clarified your query.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Cons: Drug-drug interactions are relativelymore.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 2190 Questions

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Suggest Medicines For Anxiety

Brief Answer: SSRIs are the first choice... Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for your query. I understand that you are suffering from unspecified / generalised anxiety and would like to know about medications to treat the same. In such cases, a class of medication called SSRIs are the first choice for treating generalised anxiety. There are different SSRIs like Escitalopram, Citalopram, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, etc. In your case, since there are concerns about weight gain, I would consider Sertraline among the above mentioned SSRIs. The other type of medication that can be useful in the short term management of anxiety is benzodiazepines like Alprazolam, Clonazepam, etc. But the problem with this type of medication is the risk of dependence / addiction. This is the reason why your doctor may have stopped Klonopin (Clonazepam). Finally, there is one more option available - an antianxiety medication called Buspirone. This can help ease anxiety symptom as well as has the advantage of not causing weight gain or dependence. So, you can discuss about these options with your doctor and make an informed decision on the choice of medication for your anxiety symptoms. Best wishes, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.) Consultant Psychiatrist