Anxiety medications for instant relief

If you experience severe symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks, fast-acting anxiety medications can help provide quick relief during these periods.

Some fast-acting anxiety medications are drugs that your body processes quickly, typically within 1 hour. Doctors refer to this as a short half-life. These medications mainly consist of benzodiazepines, which promote relaxation of your nervous system.

Other types of instant-relief anxiety medications work to reduce your physical symptoms of anxiety by blocking certain hormones that trigger the physical symptoms that cause you distress, like a rapid heart rate and excess sweating.

However, fast-acting medications are generally only suitable for short-term relief of physical anxiety symptoms. You may consider trying long-term options to help manage your symptoms.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that doctors can prescribe for:

• generalized anxiety disorder
• insomnia
• seizures
• social phobia
• panic disorder

They are a type of sedative medication that you can take in small doses to help slow down certain processes in your body that contribute to unpleasant symptoms of anxiety.

Benzodiazepines work on your central nervous system. They increase the amount of a certain neurotransmitter — gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) — that slows down the activity of your central nervous system. This relieves symptoms of anxiety.

Benzodiazepines can work quickly. Alprazolam (Xanax) is considered very fast-acting, and you should notice the effects of it within 30 minutes. Other options, such as lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium), also get to work quickly within 30 minutes, so you should start to notice the effects shortly after this time.

Benzodiazepines are not typically safe for long-term use for treating anxiety. This is because these medications place you at high risk of dependence.

Doctors will only prescribe benzodiazepines in their lowest possible effective dose for a maximum of 2–4 weeks. This dose is the type a doctor will specify if you are experiencing a crisis period where your symptoms worsen.

Examples

Some common benzodiazepines that doctors may prescribe for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms include:

• alprazolam (Xanax)
• triazolam (Halcion)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• diazepam (Valium)
• lorazepam (Ativan)

These drugs can cause side effects that may affect your daily functioning — another reason why long-term use is not typically suitable. It is important to take these medications as the prescribing doctor advises.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.

Side effects

Benzodiazepines can cause drowsiness and problems with how your brain functions, such as memory issues. As well as this, these medications also cause:

• confusion
• headaches
• nausea
• tremors
• diarrhea
• depressive symptoms

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are a type of medication that doctors typically prescribe for heart conditions like high blood pressure, medically called hypertension.

However, they can also help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, like a racing heartbeat. This is an “off-label use,” meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not evaluated beta-blockers for the specific use of antianxiety medications.

Beta-blockers work by relaxing your heart and blood vessels, which can relax your body and reduce physical symptoms of anxiety. They will not, however, reduce thoughts of anxiety. Propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin) are two beta-blockers that doctors may prescribe for anxiety symptoms.

Propranolol is highly effective in reducing symptoms within 2 weeks of treatment, but you can also take it for short-term relief, like before giving an important presentation.

Other remedies

Long-term medications are available that can help prevent severe episodes of anxiety or treat chronic anxiety. These typically take longer to take effect but have longer-lasting symptom relief.

These medications include:

• Buspirone (Buspar): Buspirone can help manage anxiety both in the long- and short-term.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These medications take up to 6 weeks for you to start to notice improvements in your symptoms. Examples include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac).
• Tricyclic antidepressants: Along with SSRIs, these medications are typically for treating depression. However, they are also effective for managing anxiety disorders. One example is imipramine (Tofranil).
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: These are another form of antidepressant that can help manage anxiety symptoms. Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

At-home remedies

There are many different steps you can take within your lifestyle and diet that can help manage symptoms of anxiety. These can be particularly effective alongside antianxiety medications.

Lifestyle and diet approaches include:

• Exercising: Aerobic exercise can help release endorphins. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America Studies, exercise helps boost your overall well-being, as well as reduce stress levels, which can contribute to anxiety.
• Meditation: Focusing on your breathing and being present can be grounding and help manage stress levels. Try setting aside 15 minutes each day to clear your mind.
• Avoiding caffeine: Studies show that caffeine can increase your risk of experiencing panic attacks.
• Chamomile supplements: Chamomile supplements of 500 milligrams three times daily can help reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

Summary

There are various methods for managing symptoms of anxiety, including short-acting or “instant” relief medications. These medications, while maybe not exactly instantaneous, typically take action within 1 hour to help relieve physical symptoms of anxiety. For example, they may slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

These medications include benzodiazepines and beta-blockers. Doctors will not typically prescribe benzodiazepine medications for long-term treatment due to their risk of dependence.

Several at-home changes can also help reduce anxiety symptoms, including increasing your daily exercise and trying supplements like chamomile.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.