What Are the Top 10 Medications for Anxiety?

Here are the top 10 medications for anxiety, which aim to treat the associated symptoms rather than cure the disorder.

The top 10 medications for anxiety are summarized below:

1. Benzodiazepines (also called tranquilizers)
• How they work: The exact mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is not well understood. These drugs mainly act by increasing the levels of a chemical substance in the brain and spinal cord (neurotransmitter) called gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA. Raised GABA levels have a calming effect on nerve cells that relieve anxiety symptoms.
• Examples: Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Xanax (alprazolam)
• Side effects: Confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, sleep disturbances, feeling disoriented, memory impairment, irritability, and aggression.
2. Beta-blockers (also called beta-adrenergic blockers)
• How they work: They block the 
• effect of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). This results in lowering the rate and force of contraction of the heart. Consequently, the symptoms such as a racing heartbeat or palpitations are relieved.
• Examples: Inderal (propranolol),
•  Sectral (acebutolol), and Zabeta (bisoprolol)
• Side effects: Fatigue, weight gain, cold hands or feet, trouble breathing, difficulty sleeping, and disturbed blood lipid levels may trigger asthma in susceptible individuals.
3. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (also called selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SSNRIs)

How they work: They increase the brain levels of the two hormones called serotonin and norepinephrine. These hormones are types of feel-good hormones that improve mood. SNRIs act by blocking or reducing the reuptake of these two hormones by the nerve cells, thus increasing their activity in the brain.

Examples: Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and Effexor (venlafaxine)

Side effects: Constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, hot flushes, nausea, diarrhea, reduced libido, and erectile dysfunction

Gabapentin , 

Trazodone hydrochloride

Bupropion XL 

Duloxetine hydrochloride

Alprazolam

Buspirone hydrochloride

Clonazepam

Hydroxyzine hydrochloride

Alprazolam

Buspirone hydrochloride 

Clonazepam

Hydroxyzine hydrochloride

Venlafaxine hydrochloride ER  

Venlafaxine hydrochloride

Lamotrigine

Lorazepam

Topiramate

Levetiracetam

Bupropion hydrochloride SR

Hydroxyzine pamoate 

Diazepam

Desvenlafaxine succinate ER

Oxcarbazepine 

Divalproex sodium

Divalproex sodium