A patient can take a low dose of a benzodiazepine about one hour before exposure to the phobic stimulus to help reduce anticipatory anxiety. If this is not sufficient, the physician can prescribe a higher dose for the next time. It is important to note that medications are not a successful primary treatment of simple phobias. Consider medications only as an option to assist you in your efforts. E. Social Anxieties and Phobias For social anxieties or phobias, medications can help to reduce the tensions associated with entering the fearful situation, to bring a racing heart and sweaty palms under control, and to reduce some shyness.
Physicians use several classes of medications that are beneficial, individually or in combination.
The drugs with the longest history of use with social phobias are the beta adrenergic blocking agents, also known as beta blockers . The patient can take propranolol as needed or in dosages of 10 to 20 mg three to four times a day, or atenolol in dosages of 25 to 100 mg once daily. Surprisingly, controlled research studies have not supported the widespread anecdotal reports of success with beta blockers. It's possible that their best use is for occasional mild social anxieties. A combination of a beta blocker and low dosages of clonazepam or alprazolam could be best for some individuals.