7 Nonaddictive Anxiety Medications

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 U.S. adults have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Fortunately, a variety of medications are prescribed for people with this mental health condition. Just like any other treatment, it’s important to learn more about the anxiety medications available and any potential side effects — such as an increased risk of addiction.

Psychiatry Treatment Centers specializes in mental health treatments for patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression and other conditions. In this article, we’ll explore some of the nonaddictive medications for anxiety and the types that may pose a higher risk.

7 nonaddictive anxiety medications

Medications with anxiety-reducing effects are called anxiolytics. They’re categorized across several different drug classes (groups of medications that share common characteristics) and may also be used to treat other mental health conditions. While some drugs come with a risk of adverse side effects, not all of them are considered potentially habit forming. Common types of nonaddictive anxiety medication include:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are FDA-approved antidepressants. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, memory, sleep and other functions. SSRIs work to prevent the reabsorption of serotonin to help increase the amount of this substance in the brain and improve a person’s ability to reduce their anxiety symptoms. Common SSRIs for anxiety include:

Lexapro (escitalopram)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs are also FDA-approved antidepressants, and they work similarly to SSRIs. However, these drugs help increase the serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter associated with things like attention, cognitive function and the body’s reaction to stress. Common SNRIs for anxiety include:

Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Effexor (venlafaxine)
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

TCAs are another type of FDA-approved medication that works to increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels. But because newer antidepressants, like SSRIs, typically yield fewer side effects, TCAs aren’t as widely recommended. TCAs that may be prescribed for anxiety include:

Anafranil (clomipramine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Aventyl (nortriptyline)

Beta-blockers (propranolol)

Propranolol is a beta-blocker that can be used to treat anxiety. Beta-blockers are typically prescribed for heart disease. However, this one can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of anxiety by blocking the effects of the neurotransmitters associated with the body’s fight-or-flight response (epinephrine and norepinephrine). This helps lower blood pressure and alleviate symptoms like rapid heart rate and trembling.

Antihistamines (hydroxyzine)

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) is an antihistamine, but it’s also FDA approved for anxiety. It’s designed to block histamine produced by the body’s immune system during an allergic reaction. At the same time, it suppresses the activity in the subcortical areas of the central nervous system, which may help alleviate anxiety symptoms.

Azapirones (buspirone)

Buspar (buspirone) is an azapirone that can be prescribed for anxiety. It’s designed to change the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain to help regulate mood and is commonly used as an adjunctive treatment for GAD alongside an SSRI or SNRI.

Antipsychotics

If other medications haven’t worked, certain antipsychotics may be used to treat anxiety, as well. Depending on the type of medication, antipsychotics can help rebalance key neurotransmitters in the brain and perform other actions to produce anti-anxiety effects. Common antipsychotics for anxiety include:

Abilify (aripiprazole)
Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Seroquel (quetiapine)

Addictive anti-anxiety medications

Outside the medications listed above, there are other pharmaceutical options. However, they typically fall under the benzodiazepine drug class. Benzos are considered controlled substances and usually only recommended for short-term use because they can be habit-forming. This means there’s a higher risk of dependence or addiction.

Benzodiazepines help slow down the activity in the brain and nervous system by telling it to release a neurotransmitter called GABA. It can make you feel sleepy, more forgetful and less anxious. Common benzos for treating anxiety include:

Ativan (lorazepam)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Xanax (alprazolam)

Nonpharmaceutical treatment for anxiety

Even though anxiety can often be managed through therapy and medication, some people may benefit from more advanced care. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive, evidence-based approach for patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, it can also be used for anxiety-related conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression with anxious features (anxious depression), that have not responded to traditional medication or have resulted in intolerable side effects.

Partner with Psychiatry Treatment Centers for anxiety treatment

It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious or stressed sometimes. However, if you experience constant feelings of fear, overwhelm or excessive worry, you may have an anxiety disorder. This mental health condition can make it harder to cope with everyday stressors and even enjoy everyday life. If you think you may need help, partner with the experts at Psychiatry Treatment Centers.

Psychiatry Treatment Centers specializes in treating patients with anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), ADHD and OCD. Every patient at our practice receives a personalized treatment plan designed to help them manage their symptoms effectively. Led by a team of caring, dedicated professionals, we offer psychotherapy, medication management and TMS therapy.

Call our team today for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can also book your first consultation online now to discuss your anxiety symptoms and the treatments that might work best for you.