Panic Attack Drugs and Medication Options

One of the problems associated with an anxiety panic attack is that they tend to become serious energy and time consuming problems - the simple questions one asks about what the future holds and whether they will have to suffer through another period of grief, pain, and discomfort is enough to put a panic attack into full action. Some medications that you can find in pharmacies have been known to significantly reduce anxiety and panic attack symptoms, enabling people to continue living a life that is not consumed with the fearful unknown. The following medications are know for their effectiveness in dealing with an anxiety or panic attack.

Azapirones (a-zah-PIE-ronz)

• Azapirones targets the central nervous system and helps it relive the symptoms of anxiety and panic.
• It 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. 
• Azapirones calms the nervous system and thus reduces the intensity of a panic attack when it occurs.

Alprazolam (al-PRAZ-zo-lam)

• Used mostly for general anxiety treatments 
• Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, a drug used to treat short term panic attack symptoms. 
• 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.

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

• This is a very strong and effective drug and a fear of becoming addicted to it is shared with both physicians and patients. 
• Benzodiazepines is used mostly to fight anxiety, panic attack and insomnia. 
• For extreme cases of anxiety or panic, this is the medication most commonly used, but it’s also something that can significantly alter your mood or personality if not used properly.
• Long periods of treatment with Benzodiazepines are not advised.

Selecting the right panic attack medication

Your physician will prescribe the medication that is most suitable to the level of aggravation your attacks take. Remember that you should not determine which medications to use on your own - always ask your doctor regarding such matters. Using other people’s medications may help your symptoms at the time, but in the end you still need a solution for long term results. Using the least amount of medication to control your panic attack symptoms is the most beneficial for you, so physicians will start with low dosages or light medication and work their way up from there. Medications tend to alter our body structure when used for long periods of time, so moderation is vital here.