In general, it’s not unusual for medications to come with a myriad of potential adverse reactions after their consumption, especially for medications that target anxiety, also known as anxiolytics. They have a range of side effects that include fatigue, slowing mental functioning, and sleepiness. Whether these medications would cause addiction will depend on their class. Here is a comprehensive guide on anxiety medication, its side effects, and possible causes.
Common Classes of Anxiety Medications
If you’re still learning how you can find the most suitable anxiety medication, it’s crucial to understand what you’re dealing with in greater detail. Many doctors choose to prescribe anxiety medications that can react quickly to combat the effects of anxiety or an anxiety attack, as well as to reduce daily anxiety over a longer time period.
Typically, there are four major classes of medications utilized in treating anxiety disorders – Tricyclic Antidepressants, Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, Benzodiazepines, and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. The accompanying side effects of these medications usually vary from class to class and medication to medication.
Common Anti-Anxiety Medication Side Effects
Like any medication, anti-anxiety medications have their side effects too. Out of all the anti-anxiety medication classes, benzodiazepines are the fastest-acting and they are very effective within a short period of time. However, benzodiazepines carry a significantly larger risk of developing addictions to them.
For all classes of medications, a doctor’s guidance is required before stopping the consumption of these drugs. The reason is that abrupt discontinuation of these medications after prolonged usage can result in several debilitating or severe side effects.
Why Medicines Generally Have Side Effects
Unquestionably, medications and certain pharmacological treatments are absolute necessities despite their often undesired side effects when taken by patients. Common flu remedies can cause drowsiness and aspirin can cause adverse complications like gastric ulcers and bleeding.
The body is a highly complex structure of chemicals that need frequent regulation for their smooth functioning. Our hormones usually control such functions but in the event of a disturbance like a disease, medications take the place of the hormones in readjusting the balance.
Finding the Right Medications According to Your DNA
If you have experienced issues such as struggling to get the right medication, having the wrong medication prescribed to you in the past, or suffering from adverse side effects from medications, then this could be for you!
ClarityX is a clinical grade pharmacogenetic test that incorporates the latest clinical guidance from key governing and scientific organizations. We have two testing options – the ClarityX Mindwell test can provide clear-cut answers as to how you will respond to various mental health medications based on your DNA; the Clarity Max Rx test goes above and beyond mental health to further examine a wide range of medications for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes and many more, and find out which drugs will increase your risk of suffering from serious side effects. Reach out to us today to find out more!
