Page "Anxiolytic" Paragraph 13

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor ( SSRIs ) are a class of compounds typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders.

SSRIs are primarily classified as antidepressants and typically higher dosages are required to be effective against anxiety disorders than to be effective against depression but nevertheless most SSRIs have anxiolytic properties, but are anxiogenic when first initiating treatment, and in some individuals continue to be anxiety-provoking.

For this reason, a low dose of a benzodiazepine is often used for several weeks when initiating SSRI / SNRI therapy in order to counteract the initial anxiety caused by the drugs until the therapeutic delay of the SSRI / SNRI is finished and the drug becomes effective.

Older tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) are very anxiolytic as well, however, side effects are greater.

Examples include: imipramine, doxepin, amitriptyline, and the unrelated trazodone.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors ( MAOIs ) are very effective for anxiety, but due to drug dangers, are rarely prescribed.

Examples include: Nardil and Parnate.