Each drug has advantages and disadvantages. Dietary restrictions are necessary when taking some drugs, and some medications may be off-limits to avoid dangerous interactions with other drugs a patient is taking. Older people may react differently than younger individuals to the same medication, and a woman may respond differently than a man. Most people can take medications commonly used to treat anxiety disorders without difficulty, but sometimes there are side effects. These vary with the drug, but they can range from minor annoyances like dry mouth, drowsiness, or blurred vision, to more troubling reactions like irregular heartbeat.
Most side effects go away after several weeks of treatment.
If they persist, the doctor may change dosages or try a different medication. The treatment of anxiety depends on the type of anxiety being treated. For an acute anxiety attack, short-term treatment with benzodiazepines is generally used first. To help prevent episodes of anxiety, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and buspirone are generally tried first. Other choices may include tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, and, rarely, monoamine oxidase inhibitors.