Medicines for anxiety: antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and avoidance in an anxiety disorder, even without depression. Benefits develop gradually; side effects may start earlier, and reduction should be step by step with the prescriber.

• Persistent worrying, intense fear or panic attacks that are difficult to control.
• Palpitations, sweating, shaking, feeling breathless, nausea or dizziness with anxiety.
• Take the medicine at a fixed time and use a reminder if you forget doses.
• Briefly record changes in anxiety, sleep, functioning and side effects and bring this to check-ups.
• Contact a healthcare professional promptly if anxiety, panic, insomnia or agitation clearly worsens after starting.
• For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.