Panic Attack Medication Can Be A Very Confusing Subject, It Is Crucial To Be Informed

As an affliction panic attacks can be very debilitating. A person with panic attacks also has a panic disorder but it can be treated with therapy. By learning to change certain ways of thinking a person can overcome panic atacks with the help of medication. People lucky enough to get treatment from both medication and therapy jointly are less likely to get panic attacks again.

A doctor can prescribe many different types of medications to control panic attack symptoms. Medications can also reduce the number and severity of panic attacks plus, reduce the anxiety of having another attack. By reducing serotonin reuptake, (giving them the name SSRI's), medications such as Prozac, Zoloft are effective products to help panic attack victims.. SSRI are antidepressants and commonly prescribed drugs to treat depression. Nerves in the brain use neurotransmitters to communicate with one another and these medications work on them. Neurotransmitters get passed from nerve to nerve. Nerves will "reuptake" neurotransmitters if the nerve that is receiving them does receive all of them. By inhibiting this "reuptake" of serotonin SSRI's make it more available to other nerves in the brain. Tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs) such as Tofranil, Norpramin, or Anafranil were used more commonly before SSRI's.  However SSRI's are simply a lot safer. TCAs have been used less often as a result. Although, when used in the right individual with close monitoring, these medications can be an effective treatment for panic disorders. Side effects, unfortunately, are a natural element of medical treatment. This is why it is vital to consult your doctor in advance of going on treatment. Pregnant women should not use the medication.

The Food and Drug Administration also sanctions some medications from benzodiazepine families. Some examples of this medication are Xanax, Valium, Ativan, or Klonopin. In reducing nervous tension and anxiety these medications are also extremely effective for panic attcks. Unlike SSRI's this type of medication can occasionally be prescribed "as needed".

Panic disorder symptoms should start to improve within a few weeks after beginning medications. A higher dose or another medication might be needed if improvement is not seen in 6-8 weeks. Most medications need to be used for a year of more. In order to make the person not dependant on the medication a doctor will usually prescribe a lower dose after this time. Reducing the medication like this can result in an greater number in panic attacks. Often when this happens the original dose is used for a long time. Some people may have to continue medication for a prolonged period of time.