The Use of Medication for Panic Attacks
Panic attack medication has developed and come a long way in helping people who suffer from panic attacks manage their symptoms and their underlying root causesPanic attacks can be quite debilitating in causing tremendous stress and anxiety, particularly involving the expectation of potential future attacks.When used in conjunction with therapy, however, an effective panic attack medication can reduce the risks and symptoms of panic attacks, and in turn, reduce the possibilities of a further occurrence.
It is clear that therapies will focus more on the cognitive or behavioral aspects of the patient’s disorder, while medication will work from a biological and chemical perspective, dealing more directly with the symptomology rather than the root causes.
Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac are well recognized panic attack medications and are readily available to soften the blow of panic attacks. Their primary benefits are that in easing the severity of the symptoms of panic attacks, they can allow the patient to reduce their stress and anxiety about facing future episodes. These anti-depressants are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs and commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression.
These drugs function by acting upon the brain’s neurotransmittersand help block certain signals that lead to depression, or in the case of panic attacks, those receptors which can cause the heart rate to increase and/or one’s breathing ton increase, frequently observed symptoms (or conditions) which occur just before a panic attack is experienced.
SSRIs are not the first medications available to help ease the conditions or symptoms of panic attacks. TCAs, or tricyclic antidepressants were earlier prescribed as panic attack medication, but SSRIs have been proven to be safer and more effective in long-term control of the symptoms.
Tofranil, Anafranil, and Norpramin are three of the most common TCA medications.Sometimes, however, a TCA panic attack medication will be more effective than its SSRI counterpart, as long as it is taken under the close supervision of a qualified and licensed medical professional. TCA side effects cover a wide range from minor (insignificant) to life-threatening (dangerous). Under no circumstances is it generally recommended for a pregnant woman to use any of these medications as all will pose a potential threat to the unborn child.
Also, medications that help reduce or alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and stress, such as Xanax, Valium, or Klonopin, are useful in treating panic attacks or panic disorders. These are recommended to be used more to deal with an immediate set of symptomswhile SSRIs have to be taken over a period of time. As noted, the SSRI will be required to build to a certain level in the system to be effective. The TCA, on the other hand, will act right away and then dissipate over time.
When taking an SSRI panic attack medication, symptoms should begin to improve within six to eight weeks. If no improvement is noted, a dosage adjustment or change in medication may be prescribed. Most of these medications are intended to be used for a year or longer before being reduced. These decisions concerning prescription medicine for panic attacks should only be made by a licensed and qualified practitioner. In any case, it should be understood that medication alone may ameliorate certain symptoms, but only when combined with effective therapy will the true value of treatment be found to be most effective, combating the ailment itself and not just the symptoms.
