Drug Class

Brand Name

Generic Name

Target Anxiety Disorder

How It’s Thought to Work

Benefits

Draw-
backs

Anti-
convulsants

Neurontin

Gabapentin

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Affects GABA.

Usually effective within 2-4 weeks.

Sedation

Azaspirones

BuSpar

Buspirone

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Enhances the activity of serotonin

Effective for many people; less sedating than benzo
diazepines

Works slowly.

Benzo-
diazepines

Ativan

Centrax

Dalmane

Klonopin

Halcion

Librium

Paxipam

Restoril

Serax

Tranxene

Valium

Xanax

Lorazepam

Prazepam

Flurazepam

Clonazepam

Triazolam

Chlor-
diazepoxide

Halazepam Benzo-
diazepines

Temazepam

Oxazepam

Clorazepate

Diazepam

Alprazolam

GAD, SAD,

Panic Disorder

Enhances the function of GABA.

Fast-acting, some people feel better the first day.

Potentially habit-forming; can cause drowsiness; can produce withdrawal symptoms; dis-
continuation should be done slowly.

Beta
Blockers

Inderal

Tenormin

Propanolol

Atenolol

SAD

Reduces ability to produce adrenaline

Fast acting; not habit-forming.

Should not be used with certain pre-existing medical conditions, such as : asthma, congestive heart failure, diabetes, vascular disease, hyper-
thyroidism and angina pectoris.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Eldepryl

Marplan

Nardil

Parnate

Selegilene

Isocarboxid

Phenelzine

Tranyl-
cypromine

Panic Disorder, SAD, PTSD

Blocks the effect of an important brain enzyme, preventing the breakdown of serotonin and noradrenaline.

Effective for many people, especially for patients not responding to other medications; 2-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.

Strict dietary restrictions and potential drug interactions; changes in blood pressure, moderate weight gain; reduced sexual response; insomnia.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Celexa

Luvox

Paxil

Prozac

Zoloft

Citalopram

Fluvoxamine

Paroxetine

Fluoxetine

Sertraline

Panic Disorder, OCD, SAD, GAD

Affects the concentration of the neuro-
transmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.

Effective, with fewer side effects than other medications. 4-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.

Some people experience nausea, nervousness and diminished sex drive.

Tricyclic Anti-
depressants (TCAs)

Adapin

Anafranil

Aventyl

Elavil

Janimine

Ludiomil

Norpramin

Pamelor

Pertofrane

Sinequan

Surmontil

Tofranil

Vivactil

Doxepin

Clomiprimine

Nortriptyline

Amitriptyline

Imipramine

Maprotiline

Desipramine

Nortriptyline

Desipramine

Doxepin

Trimipramine

Imipramine

Protriptyline

Panic Disorder, PTSD,

OCD (Anafranil only)

Regulates serotonin and/or noradrenaline in the brain.

Effective for many people, may take 2-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.

Dry mouth; constipation; blurry vision; difficulty urinating; dizziness; low blood pressure; moderate weight gain; sexual side effects.

Other Anti-
depressants

Desyrel

Effexor

Serzone

Trazodone

Venlafaxine

Nefaxadone

Panic Disorder, OCD, SAD, GAD

Affects the concentration of the neuro-
transmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders.

Effective, with fewer side effects than other medications. 4-6 weeks until improvement ocurrs.

Some people experience nausea, nervousness and diminished sex drive.