Anxiety is common and is experienced by many people on a regular basis. It can often feel like high stress or uneasiness. However, it can develop into physical symptoms like a rapid heart rate or sweating more than what is usual for you.
You may have serious symptoms, which can affect your daily functioning and get in the way of you living your life to its fullest. If your symptoms persist, you may have an anxiety disorder.
Causes of anxiety may include a stressful job or a health condition. However, anxiety can also result from the medication you take.
Many different medications can cause anxiety as a side effect. These include:
Medications containing caffeine
Caffeine is a common ingredient, not just in your morning coffee but in many over-the-counter (OTC) medications. In fact, according to a 2022 review, caffeine is the most widely used legal psychoactive substance.
It is added to many OTC pain-relieving medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol Ultra Relief), as it can help boost the effects of pain-relieving drugs.
It works by directly affecting and reducing your brain’s ability to receive pain signals. It is particularly helpful for managing pain from headaches.
If you are sensitive to the effects of caffeine, it can also cause symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and an increase in heart rate. However, you typically need to consume at least 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily to notice this. For context, one tablet of a combined acetaminophen and caffeine medication contains 65 mg of caffeine.
If you are also drinking coffee throughout the day, this may increase your symptoms of anxiety.
Cardiac medications
Heart conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension) and high heart rate (tachycardia) are linked with experiencing symptoms of anxiety, with up to 25% of people with cardiac disease experiencing anxiety.
The medications prescribed to treat cardiac health conditions may worsen and trigger anxiety symptoms. These types of medications include:
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These medications can intensify or cause anxiety symptoms as they can affect your central nervous system. According to a study from 2023, nearly 20% of people taking stimulant drugs for ADHD treatment experience anxiety symptoms.
Nasal decongestant medications can help treat upper respiratory tract diseases, such as common allergies and headaches due to sinus infections.
Certain types of decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), contain active ingredients that narrow your blood vessels. This can lead to physical anxiety symptoms like nervousness and increased blood pressure.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are medications that doctors prescribe for a range of health conditions, from allergies and dermatitis to autoimmune conditions like arthritis. They work by reducing the activity of your immune system and lowering inflammation.
If you are taking corticosteroid medications for a long time to treat a chronic illness, you may be at risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety, as well as a reduced ability to think.
Antidepressant medications are prescription-only medications that can help manage symptoms of depression. They work in various ways depending on the type you take but generally increase the levels of chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that are responsible for your mood.
However, some types of antidepressant medications can increase feelings of agitation, nervousness, and anxiety. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
While this will not be the case with everyone, it’s important to be aware of the side effects of the medication you are taking — especially if you regularly experience anxiety.
What can help with drug-induced anxiety?
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If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and you suspect that your medication is the cause, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They will be able to recommend steps to help manage your symptoms.
They will likely recommend one or a few of the following treatment forms to help improve your quality of life.
These include:
Changing your medication: It may be the case that other types of medication can help manage the condition you are receiving treatment for that do not cause anxiety. A doctor can change your treatment plan to create a regimen that suits you best.
Taking anti-anxiety medications: If there is no alternative medication, a doctor may prescribe you antianxiety medications to improve your symptoms.
Exercising regularly: Aerobic exercises such as jogging or walking can help relieve symptoms of anxiety. Exercise can help distract you but also releases powerful chemicals to boost your mood.
Psychotherapy: Several types of therapy can help manage symptoms of anxiety by addressing the root cause. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps train your brain to identify triggers of anxiety and reduce your response to them.
When to speak with a doctor
If you notice persistent feelings of anxiety, such as stress, nervousness, and agitation, to the point where these feelings are affecting your ability to function in your daily life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional.
Getting help from a professional is the best way to receive the right treatment and improve your mood and daily life.
Summary
If you notice feelings of anxiety that start around the same time you begin a new medication regimen, this could be the cause of your symptoms.
This is because the way certain medications work can also result in symptoms of anxiety as a side effect. These symptoms can include increasing heart rate, nervousness, and agitation.
If you suspect the feelings of anxiety you are experiencing are related to a medication you are taking, it is important to speak with a doctor. They can help improve your medication regimen by trying alternative medications or recommending methods for managing your symptoms if alternatives are not available.
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Savas M, et al. (2020). Systemic and local corticosteroid use is associated with reduced executive cognition, and mood and anxiety disorders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31220843/
