Medications for Post-traumatic Stress

Medication can play a useful role in treating anxiety disorders and may be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy. Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications are often used to ease symptoms so that other therapy can go forward. Please be advised that the list is always changing as new drugs become available to veterans.

MEDICATIONS

Below is a chart listing the names of drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, the disorder for which they're indicated, how they are thought to work. Medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the various anxiety disorders are identified with a "†".

NOTE: The information provided in this table applies to the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults 18 years of age and older, and does not apply to the treatment of these conditions in children and adolescents.

Key:
GAD = Generalized Anxiety Disorder * Generic commercially available
OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Disorder † FDA approved for the treatment of one or more anxiety disorders
PD = Panic Disorder
PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
SAD = Social Anxiety Disorder

Drug Class	Brand Name	Generic Name	Target Anxiety Disorder	How It's Thought to Work
Antidepressants
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)	Celexa Lexapro † Luvox † Paxil * † Prozac * † Zoloft †	Citalopram Escitalopram Fluvoxamine Paroxetine Fluoxetine Sertraline	PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD	Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)	Adapin * Anafranil * Aventyl * Elavil * Ludiomil * Norpramin * Pamelor * Sinequan * Surmontil * Tofranil * Vivactil *	Doxepin Clomiprimine Nortriptyline Amitriptyline Maprotiline Desipramine Nortriptyline Doxepin Trimipramine Imipramine Protriptyline	PD, PTSD, GAD OCD (Anafranil only)	Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)	Marplan * Nardil * Parnate *	Isocarboxid Phenelzine Tranylcypromine	PD, SAD, PTSD	Blocks the effect of an important brain enzyme, preventing the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine
Other Antidepressants	Cymbalta Desyrel * Effexor † Remeron	Duloxetine Trazodone Venlafaxine MIrtazapine	PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD (Data in PTSD is sparse)	Affects the concentration of the neurotransmitters serotonin and/or norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders
	Wellbutrin	Bupropion	No current indication for any anxiety disorder. Depression, possibly ADHD	Exact mechanism unknown. Effects may be mediated through the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine
Anxiolytics
Azapirones	BuSpar * †	Buspirone	GAD	Enhances the activity of serotonin
Benzodiazepines	Ativan * Dalmane * Klonopin * † Halcion * Librium * Restoril * Serax * Tranxene * Valium * Xanax * †	Lorazepam Flurazepam Clonazepam Triazolam Chlordiazepoxide Temazepam Oxazepam Clorazepate Diazepam Alprazolam	GAD, SAD, PD	Exact mechanism unknown. Some research shown to enhance the function of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Antihistamines	Atarax, Vistaril *	Hydroxyzine	GAD	Sedative effects through blockade of histamine receptors in the brain

Anticonvulsants			Augmentation therapy	These medications may be added when symptoms only partially respond to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment
	Gabitril Neurontin	Tiagabine Gabapentin		Enhances the function of GABA
	Depakote * Lamictal Topimax	Valproate Lamotrigine Topiramate		Exact mechanisms unknown. Possible effects include: enhancing or inhibiting effects of neurotransmitters believed to be associated with anxiety; blockade of sodium channels in the brain

Noradrenergic Agents
Beta Blockers	Inderal * Tenormin *	Propranolol Atenolol Prazosin	Performance anxiety, possibly PD	Blocks receptors associated with physiologic symptoms of anxiety
Alpha Blocker	Minipress *	Prazosin	PTSD (nightmares)
	Catapres Tenex	Clonidine Guanfacine	Some evidence in PTSD, anticipatory anxiety
Atypical Antipsychotics			Augmentation therapy	These medications may be added when symptoms only partially respond to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment
	Abilify Geodon Risperdal Seroquel Zyprexa	Aripiprazole Ziprasidone Risperidone Quetiepine Olanzapine		Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders

Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. Speak with your doctor if you have questions about a medication or are experiencing side effects from your medication.
Last revised: 10/04

Medication for Post Tramatic Stress And Anxiety Disorders

Medication for Post Tramatic Stress
And Anxiety Disorders