Side Effects of Drugs for Anxiety and Depression

by | Sep 11, 2008

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The following is an excerpt from “What You Need to Know About Drugs for Anxiety.”


Anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines work by reducing brain activity. This leads to side effects beyond anxiety relief. The higher the dose, the more pronounced these side effects typically are. But some people feel sleepy, foggy, and uncoordinated even on low doses of benzodiazepines.


Common Side-Effects of Anti-Anxiety Drugs: Valium, Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin
• Drowsiness, lack of energy
• Clumsiness, slow reflexes
• Slurred speech
• Confusion and disorientation
• Depression
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Impaired thinking and judgement
• Memory loss, forgetfulness
• Nausea, stomach upset
• Blurred or double vision


These drugs are also associated with depression. Long-term users of these benzodiazepine drugs are often depressed, and higher doses are believed to increase the risk of both depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, benzodiazepines can cause emotional blunting or numbness. The medication relieves the anxiety, but it also blocks feelings of pleasure or pain.


Antidepressant Suicide Risk

The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The SSRIs include drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. The SSRIs have been used to treat panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).


All antidepressants are required by the FDA to carry a warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts, hostility, and agitation. There is also the risk that antidepressants will cause an increase, rather than a decrease, in depression and anxiety.


Common side effects of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa:
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Headaches
• Sleepiness
• Sexual dysfunction
• Dizziness
• Stomach upset
• Weight gain

To learn more about “What You Need to Know About Drugs for Anxiety” click here.


For Natural Alternatives to Drugs for Anxiety and Depression, click here.

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