What Is the Best Anxiety Medication with Less Side Effects?

Anxiety is a prevalent condition that can significantly impact daily life. An estimated 31.1% of adults in the United States experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders can negatively affect your relationships as well as your job and school performance. Many medications can treat anxiety, but they can cause side effects. So what is the best anxiety medication with less side effects? Choosing the best anxiety medication with low side effects can be a challenge.

Who Should Take Anxiety Medications?

The decision about whether to start an anxiety medication is a very personal one. Your healthcare provider can use scales to help determine whether anxiety is severe enough to warrant medications. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a standardized tool for evaluating anxiety. Each of the seven questions is graded 0-3. The higher the score, the greater the severity of anxiety. Scores range from 0-21, and there are standard cutoffs for varying levels of anxiety. A score of 10-14 indicates moderate anxiety, while a score of 15 or higher indicates severe anxiety. Another way to decide whether someone should take anxiety medication is based on whether and how much the symptoms you are experiencing affect your quality of life. If you feel that the symptoms you are experiencing are negatively impacting your life, you may want to consider medication to treat your anxiety. While there aren't anxiety meds without side effects, you can sometimes choose an anxiety medication with less side effects.

Types of Anti-Anxiety Meds

There are several types of anti-anxiety medications available and many of them treat depression too. They can be divided into several classes. Understanding these classes and their potential side effects can help you choose the best medication for anxiety and depression with least side effects.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications for both depression and anxiety. SSRIs work by decreasing the reabsorption of serotonin, which increases the amount available. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps with mood. It can take time for SSRIs to improve depression and anxiety. Most medications take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to see maximum effects. Medicines in this class include citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline. The efficacy of the individual medications can vary based on what condition they are treating.

Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs work on another type of neurotransmitter in the brain, norepinephrine. Like SSRIs, they decrease reabsorption and increase the neurotransmitters available in the brain. Medications in this class include duloxetine and venlafaxine.

Tricyclic Anti-Depressants (TCAs)

TCAs aren't used as often as SSRIs and SNRIs, but patients who don't respond to the generally used medications can tolerate them. These are in an older class of drugs that can be taken more commonly for panic disorder.

Calcium Modulators

More commonly used for nerve pain and seizure disorders, the class calcium modulators include gabapentin and pregabalin. These medications can treat anxiety disorders.

Azapirones

In this class of medications, only one is used regularly. Buspirone is only indicated for anxiety disorders, unlike some of the other medications we've discussed.

Aminoketones

Like the Azapirones, the Aminoketone class only has one commonly prescribed medication: bupropion. Bupropion was initially approved for depression. It is also used to treat anxiety, though it may not be as effective as other medications for this indication. Other uses for bupropion include therapy for smoking cessation, and it is available in combination with naltrexone under the brand name Contrave for weight loss. The mechanism of action isn't understood, but it is believed to work on the dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Atypical antipsychotics are primarily used for psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia as well as for bipolar disorder. They are being studied for their use as adjunct medications for anxiety and depression and, in some cases, can be used alone when other drugs have been ineffective.

Most Common Side Effects of Anxiety Medications

The side effects of anti-anxiety medications depend on the class. The best medication for anxiety and depression with the least side effects depends on several factors unique to you. So, what anxiety medication has the least side effects? Let's look into the side effect profile for each class. SSRIs have several possible side effects, including:

• Nausea
• Feelings of restlessness or jitteriness
• Nausea
• Decreased libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Difficulty ejaculating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Weight changes
• Changes in appetite

Even though SSRIs have several potential side effects, they are usually effective for depression and anxiety, and individuals tolerate them well. But if SSRIs don't seem like the best anxiety med without side effects for you, then there are other choices. The potential side effects of SNRIs are similar to SSRIs and include:

• Restlessness and jitteriness
• Nausea
• Weight changes
• Fatigue
• Tremor
• Sweating
• Sexual dysfunction (though less common than with SSRIs)
• Urinary retention
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly

SNRIs are great choices for a lot of people and may be low side effect anxiety meds for some, but they may or may not be the best choice for you. Your healthcare provider can help you decide. Fortunately, there are other choices if these aren't the best anxiety medication with least side effects for you. TCAs are sometimes used for insomnia because they can cause sleepiness. Other potential side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Weight gain
• Nausea
• Headache
• Urinary retention
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Sexual dysfunction

Gabapentin and pregabalin are also frequently used to treat insomnia. Their side effects include:

• Weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Sleepiness
• Dry mouth
• Swelling
• Constipation
• Balance problems
• Appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly

Buspirone is associated with:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Nervousness
• insomnia

Bupropion is less likely to cause weight gain or sexual side effects than some of the other medications frequently used for anxiety. Some of the side effects include:

• Nausea
• Dry Mouth
• Headache
• Vivid dreams

For many people, weight gain is a serious concern with any medication. Because of its lower risk of weight gain and sexual side effects, bupropion may be your answer to the question, "What is the best medication for anxiety with least side effects?" Atypical antipsychotic medications are associated with:

• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Increased cholesterol
• Sleepiness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Elevated prolactin levels leading to lactation or enlarged breasts
• Abnormal movement

When deciding which medication to use and which anti anxiety meds with least side effects may work for you, the common side effects are a factor to consider.

How to Choose Your Daily Anxiety Medication with the Least Side Effects

Choosing the best medication depends on which side effects you are most willing to tolerate. Not everyone experiences all of the potential side effects of medication, and it is not always possible to know how any individual will respond. Every medication has the potential for side effects, so there is no anxiety medication with no side effects, it's just a matter of which side effect profile best meets your needs. If you've been on a medication for anxiety or depression before, whether it was effective or if you had side effects may guide the decision about which medication to take. In many cases, newer medications will have fewer side effects than some of the older medications, but this is very dependent on the individual. Your medication choice will also depend on any other health conditions you may have and any medications you may be taking. The best medication for you may be the one that interacts least with your other medications.

Tips to Avoid Side Effects When Taking Anxiety Medication

There are many ways to avoid or minimize the side effects of anxiety medications. Some of these include:

• Taking medication with food
• Eating smaller meals more frequently
• Staying well hydrated
• Decreasing sweets and sugary drinks
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Getting regular physical activity
• Taking the medication at night if it makes you sleepy
• Take the medication in the morning if it gives you insomnia
• Napping if your schedule allows
• Increasing your fiber intake
• Getting up slowly
• Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine

If the side effects of the medication are very bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider about whether changing medications or doses is appropriate. Some anti-anxiety medications can cause withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped suddenly. Therefore, it's important not to stop medication without discussing it with your healthcare provider first.

Alternative Treatment Options

If you're not sure about starting medication, there are some potential alternatives to medication to treat anxiety.

Therapy

Counseling is a common non-medication treatment for anxiety. Some studies have demonstrated that counseling may be at least as effective as medication for some people with anxiety, and in some cases, it can be even more effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly studied types of therapy for anxiety and is effective.

Supplements

Several supplements may benefit people with anxiety. These include ashwagandha, chamomile extract, kava kava, lavender, passion flower, St. John's wort, valerian root, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and magnesium. Some evidence supports the use of these supplements, which are generally well-tolerated. Many of these supplements can interact with other medications, so you must talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Anxiety can significantly impact your life. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for anxiety, and your healthcare provider can help you decide which is the best anxiety medication without side effects you. The choice may be based on several factors, including side effect profile, cost, and other medical conditions. If your healthcare provider has recommended medication for anxiety or any other health condition, consider visiting us at ScriptSave® WellRx. Medication is expensive, and we want to help you find the lowest cost options. Some people save a little. Some people save a lot. Prices vary across zip codes. Even pharmacies across the street from each other can have substantial price differences. We aim to bring transparency to prescription medication pricing, helping consumers keep more money in their pockets. ScriptSave has been helping consumers save on their prescriptions for 25 years.

FAQs

What are the best anxiety pills with the least side effects?

There are many options for anxiety, and all medications have potential side effects. It's hard to predict which side effects you may experience. When choosing the best anxiety pills for you, consider the side effect profile of each of the medications and which ones you may tolerate best, and remember, if you don't tolerate one medication, there may be other options.

What is the best SSRI for anxiety with the least side effects?

There is no one best SSRI for everyone, but in general, citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline seem to be well tolerated by most people. Given your unique needs, your healthcare provider can help you choose the best option for you.

What is the antidepressant with the least side effects?

Choosing the antidepressant with the least side effects may depend on which side effects you are hoping to avoid. Wellbutrin is one of the more weight-neutral antidepressants, but SSRIs have fewer side effects overall.

What is the best SNRI with the least side effects?

The side effect profiles for SNRIs are very similar, and there is no way to determine which one may cause more or less side effects. If you are concerned about the side effects of medication, your healthcare provider can help you choose the proper medication for you.

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