Panic Attack Medication - What Are They

When a person has a panic attack and does not know what to do about it, this fact alone can lead to more anxiety and further attacks. Treatment for panic attacks is available through psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and panic attack medication. Chief among the medications currently being prescribed are beta blockers, benzoidazepines, MAOIs, SSIs, Tricyclic Antidepressants and a mild antidepressant. Beta Blockers Control the physical symptoms of panic attack. They are prescribed to control rapid heartbeat, shaking, trembling and blushing. Side effects may include light-headedness, drowsiness, short-term memory loss, decrease in heart rate, insomnia, diarrhea, cold extremities depression and nightmares. * Propranolol (Inderal) * Atenolol (Tenormin) Benzodiazepines Effective in reducing panic attack symptoms and can be taken in multiple doses each day. It is not effective in all cases. A side effect could be panic attacks. In addition there might be drowsiness, decreased mental sharpness, slurred speech, clumsiness, sexual side effects, low moods, irritability, agitation and increased susceptibility to the effects of alcohol. * Penelzine (Nardil) * Tranycypromine (Parnate) Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) An anti-depressant family that is used to prevent panic attacks. Side effects include disturbed sleep, increased appetite, sexual side effects, weight gain, dry mouth, sedation and blood pressure. * Alprazoam (Xanax) * Clonazepam (Klonopin) * Diazapam (Valium) * Lorazapam (Antivan) * Oxazepam (Serax) * Chlordiazepoxide ( Librium) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Relatively new on the market since the 1980s. Works to assist the brain in maintaining levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This chemical is often found to be low in people with depression, anxiety and panic disorders. They are meant for short use. Potential side effects are nausea, insomnia, headaches, sexual difficulties and initial agitation. * Fluoxetine (Prozac) * Fluvoxamine (Luvox) * Sertraline (Zoloft) * Paroxetine (Paxtil) Tricyclic Antidepressants Used to treat panic attacks and panic disorder as well as severe depression. Side effects include a dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, postural hypotension, tachycardia, loss of sex drive, erectile failure, sensitivity to sunlight, weight gain, sedation, sweating, jitteriness, irritation, unusual energy and disturbed sleep patterns. These are not to be used as a long term solution panic attack medication. *Imipramine (Tofranil) panic, depression, generalized anxiety * Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane and others) panic, depression * Nortriptyline (Aventyl or Pamerlor) panic, depression * Amitriptyline (Elavil) panic, depresion * Doxepin Sinequan or Adapin) panic,deprssion * Clomipramine (Anafranil) panic, OCD, depression * Venlafaxine (Effexor) OCD, depriession Mild Tranquilizer Has been approved for use for anxiety and with mild depression and for social phobias. It has few side effects, headache dizziness or mild drowsiness may occur. * Buspirone (Buspar) Panic attack medication is not the first choice for treatment. It should be used sparingly and in most cases in conjunction with therapy.

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