Panic Attack Medication: What Is Best For Me?

November 13, 2009 by Jeffery  
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B 468x60 Panic Attack Medication: What Is Best For Me?

If you are one of those living with panic attack symptoms, you know it
can almost take over your life. Living with the fear that you will
have to suffer through another period of grief, pain, and discomfort
is sometimes enough to bring on a panic attack. When it comes to
treating a panic attack, some medication has been known to
significantly reduce the symptoms, enabling people to continue living
a life that is not ruled by the fearful unknown. The following
provides information about some of the most effective medications
available to consumers.

Alprazolam (al-PRAZ-zo-lam)

This medication is one of the more common prescriptions for general
anxiety treatment. It is a benzodiazepine, which is used to treat
short term panic attack symptoms in many people every day. This
medication is not meant to treat ongoing and daily forms of a panic
attack, but is very useful to people who experience these symptoms
periodically.

Azapirones (a-zah-PIE-ronz)

Azapirones is a drug which works on the central nervous system by
relieving the many symptoms of anxiety. This drug can be found in many
antidepressants and is the reason many people who normally would not
take antidepressants do, because of their panic attack symptoms. It is
used to calm the nervous system, putting it somewhat into sleep mode.

Benzodiazepines (ben-zo-die-AZ-a-peens)

This is a tranquil medication, used to help fight anxiety and
insomnia. The drug is very potent, and a fear of becoming addicted to
it is shared with both physicians and patients. For extreme cases of
anxiety, this is the medication most commonly used, but its also
something that can significantly alter your mood or personality if not
used properly or for longer periods of time than prescribed.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

These are a newer type of anti-depressant introduced into the US in
the 1980s beginning with Prozac. They work differently to traditional
antidepressants and they do so by increasing and assisting the brain
to maintain levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin which is often
found to be low in people sufferering from depression, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety and panic disorders.

Which Panic Attack Medication to Use

The severity of the panic attack, will influence which medication a
physician will prescribe for you. Remember that you should not
determine which medication to use. It is essential to consult a doctor
about what is best for you. Using someone else’s medicine may help
your symptoms in the short term, but in the long run you need a
solution for long term results. Taking someone else’s medicine for
your undiagnosed panic attack would be considered as being very
irresponsible. Because of the nature of the problem your doctor will
probably prescribe more than one medication over a period of time so
as to ascertain what is best for you. Using the least amount of
medication to control your panic attack symptoms is the most
beneficial, so most doctors will recommend starting with a low dosage
and work their way up from there until the best solution is found.

Mike O’Brien offers advice and information about panic attack
treatment If you or a loved one is suffering from a panic attack you
will find quality information in this article and on this site.

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