Medications For Anxiety Attacks: Overview Of Tricyclic antidepressants

The treatment of panic disorder is often done with medications. The most common types of medications that are used for the treatment of panic disorders are beta blockers, Tricyclic antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and mild tranquilizers. Each of these classes of medications have their own advantages and disadvantages. For the treatment of panic disorder, you doctor may prescribe one or more classes of drugs.

Tricyclic antidepressants are often prescribed by doctors when the patient has depression along with anxiety. Common Tricyclic antidepressants are as follows:

o    Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane)

o    Imipramine (Tofranil)

o    Amitriptyline (Elavil)

o    Nortriptyline (Aventyl or Pamelor)

o    Clomipramine (Anafranil)

o    Doxepin (Sinequan or Adapin)

o    Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Most of the above mentioned medications may be given to patients for a short term use. Most common side effects of Tricyclic antidepressants are constipation, weight gain, blurred vision, irritation, sensitivity to sunlight, and dry mouth. One of the most commonly prescribed Tricyclic antidepressants is Desipramine. This medication needs to be taken under medical supervision only and cause serious damage if you take an over dose. If you happen to take an over dose, call up your doctor immediately or you may also call the emergency services.

Desipramine has adverse effects on the fetus so if you are pregnant; you need to inform your doctor immediately. If you are pregnant, you doctor will not prescribe Desipramine. In addition, Desipramine is not recommended for nursing mothers. If you miss a dose of Desipramine, then don’t take a double dose to compensate for the dose that was missed by you earlier.

Special care needs to be taken for the storage of Desipramine. This medication is very sensitive to extreme temperatures hence it needs to be stored at room temperature. This medication must never be given to children and so you need to store it in a place that is out of the reach of children. Extreme care needs to be taken when you are under the influence of Desipramine. This medication can cause slight drowsiness or dizziness hence the consumption of alcohol along with this drug is not recommended at all.

After taking Desipramine if you feel drowsy or dizzy, then you need to sit or lie down on the bed or sofa immediately. Most patients experience drowsiness or dizziness in the mornings. Hence, the best way to prevent this from happening is to sit up and stand slowly and steadily. Because Desipramine can cause sensitivity to sun, you may have to avoid being in contact with strong sunlight, tanning booths, or sunlamps.

Though Tricyclic antidepressants are one of the best treatments of panic disorder, you need to weigh your benefits with the disadvantages and then make a choice. If you don’t want to go ahead with the medications for anxiety attacks, you can choose many other treatment options. If you want a completely safe treatment for panic disorder, then you can choose from a myriad of herbal products that are available in the market today. The only major disadvantage of herbal treatments for panic disorders is that it may take a long time to actually show its good effects on you.

Medications for anxiety attacks on the other hand are fast acting and some medications give you immediate relief from the symptoms of anxiety attacks. If medications and herbal treatments are not your preferred choice of treatment for panic disorder, they you may try psychotherapy. The most common form of psychotherapy that is used for the treatment of panic disorders is called cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT.

There are some doctors or physicians who may prescribe a combination of treatment for panic disorders. Most common combination for the treatment of panic disorder is medications and CBT. While you are on the medications for anxiety attacks, you may also switch to CBT, but you need to take the consent of your doctor first. One most important aspect of the medications for anxiety attacks is that it must not be stopped abruptly.

One of the major aspects of medications for anxiety attacks is that these medications do not cure the anxiety attacks or panic attacks. This is a universally accepted fact and you will have to live by it for a very long time.