Anxiety medication side effects vary by drug class. The effects of an SSRI, an SNRI, buspirone and a benzodiazepine are not interchangeable, so safety information should be specific to the medicine being used.
Anxiety medication side effects vary by drug class
SSRIs and SNRIs can cause nausea, sleep changes, headache, activation, sexual side effects and other symptoms, depending on the specific drug and individual response. Some effects improve with time while others may persist.
Sedation and impaired alertness
Benzodiazepines and some other medicines can impair attention, memory, coordination and driving. Alcohol and other sedatives can magnify these effects.
Dependence and withdrawal
Benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence. Antidepressants can also cause discontinuation symptoms if stopped abruptly, although that is not the same process as addiction.
Early treatment changes
Some people feel temporarily more anxious or activated when starting certain medicines. Significant worsening, severe agitation or suicidal thoughts require prompt professional attention.
Talk before stopping
If side effects are troublesome, contact the prescriber rather than abruptly stopping a regular medicine. A different dose, timing, medication or gradual change may be appropriate.
Early side effects and persistent side effects may need different responses
Some effects appear soon after a medicine is started and improve as the body adapts, while others persist or emerge later. A healthcare professional can help decide whether observation, timing adjustments, a dose change or another treatment is appropriate. The safest response depends on the medicine and the severity of the symptom.
Stopping suddenly can create new symptoms
Several medicines used for anxiety can cause discontinuation or withdrawal symptoms when reduced too quickly. That does not mean every person will have the same experience, but it is a reason not to stop treatment abruptly without guidance. A taper, when needed, should be individualized rather than copied from another person’s schedule.
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