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There are a variety of anxiety attack medications and they shouldn't be taken without the advice of your doctor or another medical professional. Many Americans are plagued by the serious problem of anxiety attacks and there are many proper ways to deal with them. Some take the therapeutic route and go to a mental health professional while other take medications prescribed by a doctor for the pharmaceutical route. The medical form of anxiety attack medication is discussed in this article.

Drug Classes

To treat anxiety attacks there are a few traditional drug classes. These drug classes include Azapirones, Benzodiazepines, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Tricyclic Antidepressants and other selections of antidepressants. Benzodiazepine is the most commonly prescribed medication types and the most effect drug to treat anxiety attack sufferers. The particular drug type most commonly prescribed in Alprazolam. This is also a anxiety attack medication type known as beta blockers.

The physical symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks are successfully helped by beta blockers. To prevent the rapid heartbeat, shaking and trembling related symptoms these medications are typically prescribed. There are also fewer side effects with beta blockers than any other form of medication. However, sleep related issues such as nightmares and insomnia can be caused by beta blockers. Since beta blockers don't actually cure the anxiety attack many health care professionals suggest against them.

Another popular class of drugs for the treatment of panic attack symptoms is Tricyclic Antidepressants. Types of Tricyclic Antidepressants include Tofranil, Nortriptyline and Venlafaxine. In addition to panic attacks these medications are also used in the treatment of obsession disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and severe depression. Side effects such as loss of sex drive, trouble urinating, erectile dysfunction and disturbed sleep patterns are the most common with medications of this type. Sometimes the side effects of anxiety attack medication can be worse than the actual problem for some patients.

Benzodiazepines are also worth mentioning briefly. Each case is different with this drug, some take it in a single dose while other take them for several years. However, this medication claims that in seventy to eighty percent of the users it solves anxiety symptoms. The main issues with benzodiazepine is that the drug pamphlet states anxiety can actually be caused by this drug.

If you plan on taking a medication for anxiety it is best to research it first and talk with a medical professional. There are often side effects with these medications that are worse than the actual anxiety attacks. When taking these drugs you should take care to learn what you should do about the medication.