Best Medicine for Panic Attacks

If you have suffered from sudden bouts of anxiety it is highly likely that you are looking to find the best medicine for panic attacks. These sudden feelings of terror and fear that strike you with no warning are horrific so what can be done about it?

As someone who has suffered from panic attacks or seen someone else with this problem, you may know that in some cases the symptoms are so bad it feels like you may be suffering a heart attack. The sweating, chest pains, palpitations and a shortness of breath can cause sufferers in extreme circumstances to draw this conclusion.

As a result of these symptoms some people will visit the hospital, only to draw a sigh of relief when they learn they haven’t had a heart attack, but instead had a panic attack. What triggers these panic attacks can be a mystery and a big concern to sufferers.

Click here to learn how to eliminate panic attacks naturally

Physicians will often prescribe antidepressants as the best medicine for panic attacks in order to overcome the problem. Essentially when you look for suitable drugs you need to find something that will improve your motivation and help you face up to panic and its repercussions.

The best medicine for panic attacks should address the two stages:

· Anticipatory anxiety – Negative thoughts and uncomfortable symptoms arise as you anticipate facing a panic situation.
· The Symptoms of the attack itself

The most commonly prescribed drugs to treat panic disorders are antidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines. SSRIs are preferred because they have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants for example. Tests show that SSRIs provide a significant improvement in up to 80 percent of patients with panic disorders.

If you suffer from panic attacks then the following are commonly used SSRIs to treat the problem:

· Fluoxetine (Prozac),
· Fluvoxamine (Luvox),
· Sertraline (Zoloft),
· Paroxetine (Paxil),
· Citalopram (Celexa)
· Escitalopram (Lexapro)

The success rate mentioned earlier is encouraging to sufferers of panic attacks, many of whom really feel the benefits of just taking SSRIs. In some cases though, a physician will feel that the best medicine for panic attacks is a combination of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

In fact benzodiazepines are known to block panic attacks quicker than the antidepressants, sometimes within just 10 days. However, some physicians are less inclined to prescribe these due to the stronger withdrawal effects. It’s easy to taper off the SSRIs than it is benzodiazepines such as alprazolam or clonazepam.

This is why some physicians prescribe the combination of the two as the best medicine for panic attacks. As a patient you could use both for a month or two until the antidepressants start to take effect. At this point you could slowly reduce your usage of the benzodiazepines thus reducing any withdrawal effects.

If you suffer from panic attacks, the best thing to do is consult your physician first and seek their advice. Alongside the medicine they may also be able to inform you of other self help techniques that will help counter the panic.

Many people do make the road to recovery and are able to find the courage to deal with the situation. It is reassuring for sufferers that there are treatments available to help overcome this horrible condition.

Click here to learn how to eliminate panic attacks naturally