{"id":5277,"date":"2022-10-31T08:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T15:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/?p=5277"},"modified":"2024-02-06T08:52:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T16:52:41","slug":"ssris-vs-beta-blockers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/post\/ssris-vs-beta-blockers\/","title":{"rendered":"SSRIs vs. Beta Blockers For Anxiety: Which One Should I Take?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Navigating the world of anxiety treatment can be overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with an array of medication options. SSRIs are considered to be first-line medications for many anxiety disorders but what about beta-blockers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, Klarity will outline the primary differences between SSRIs and beta-blockers and discuss where one medication might be better than the other, depending on certain medical conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Determining which medication is best for you takes time, patience, and help from experienced anxiety-trained mental health specialists. Luckily for you, we can speed that process up\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klarity has already helped 30,000+ Americans find online mental health treatments for<\/em> anxiety<\/em><\/a> and other mental illnesses. Our unique telehealth services are fast and convenient, taking the wait, expense, and hassle out of finding the right anxiety treatment.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schedule an appointment<\/a> today and speak with an anxiety-trained mental health provider in as little as 48 hours<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
<\/th>SSRIs<\/th>Beta Blockers<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Drug Class<\/strong><\/td>Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)<\/td>Beta Blockers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand \/ Generic Status<\/strong><\/td>Brand-names and generics available
\n
\nMost common SSRIs:
\n\u2022 Prozac (fluoxetine)
\n\u2022 Paxil (paroxetine)
\n\u2022 Zoloft (sertraline)
\n\u2022 Celexa (citalopram)
\n\u2022 Luvox (fluvoxamine)
\n\u2022 Lexapro (escitalopram)
\n\u2022 Trintellix (vortioxetine)
\n\u2022 Viibryd (vilazodone)
\n<\/td>		Brand names and generics available
\n
\nMost common beta blockers:
\n\u2022 Sectral (acebutolol)
\n\u2022 Zebeta (bisoprolol)
\n\u2022 Coreg (carvedilol)
\n\u2022 Inderal (propranolol)
\n\u2022 Tenormin (atenolol)
\n\u2022 Lopressor (metoprolol)
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Form(s) of the Drug<\/strong><\/td>Common forms of SSRIs include:
\n\u2022 Color-coded* capsules
\n\u2022 Color-coded* tablets
\n\u2022 Flavored liquid suspensions
\n
\n*Color-coding often indicates dosage amount<\/td>		Common forms of beta blockers include:
\n\u2022 Capsules
\n\u2022 Tablets
\n\u2022 Eyedrops
\n\u2022 Intravenous
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard Dosage<\/strong><\/td>Varies, depending on SSRI and condition being treated<\/td>Varies, depending on type of beta blocker and condition being treated<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conditions Treated<\/strong><\/td>Conditions most often treated:
\n\u2022 Major depressive disorder
\n\u2022 Generalized anxiety disorder
\n
\nOther conditions treated:
\n\u2022 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
\n\u2022 Eating disorders
\n\u2022 Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
\n
\nDifferent SSRIs are \u2022 FDA-approved for different uses
\n
\nMany SSRIs are prescribed off-label to treat certain conditions
\n<\/td>		Conditions most often treated:
\n\u2022 Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
\n\u2022 Heart failure
\n\u2022 Chest pain (angina)
\n\u2022 High blood pressure
\n
\nOther conditions treated:
\n\u2022 Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
\n\u2022 Panic disorder (PD)
\n\u2022 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost<\/strong><\/td>Average cost of a 30-day supply:
\n\u2022 $4 to $40 for generic formulas*
\n\u2022 $130 or more for brand-name formulas**
\n
\n*Some SSRIs don\u2019t have a generic formula available for Rx.
\n
\n**Cost of brand-name SSRIs may be offset by coupons and insurance
\n<\/td>		Average cost of a 30-day supply:
\n\u2022 $6 to $32 for generic formulas*
\n\u2022 $111 to $$468 for brand-name formulas**
\n
\n*Some beta blockers don\u2019t have a generic formula available for Rx.
\n
\n**Cost of brand-name beta blockers may be offset by coupons and insurance
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Side-Effects<\/strong><\/td>Common side effects:
\n\u2022 Nausea, vomiting, GI upset, or diarrhea
\n\u2022 Dry mouth
\n\u2022 Headache
\n\u2022 Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
\n\u2022 Drowsiness or dizziness
\n\u2022 Increased nervousness, feelings of restlessness, or agitation
\n\u2022 Reduced libido, erectile dysfunction
\n\u2022 Increase or decrease appetite, leading to changes in weight
\n<\/td>		Common side effects:
\n\u2022 Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
\n\u2022 Hypotension (low blood pressure)
\n\u2022 Arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)
\n\u2022 Fatigue
\n\u2022 Nightmares
\n\u2022 Dry mouth
\n\u2022 Dry eyes
\n\u2022 Dizziness
\n\u2022 Nausea
\n\u2022 Insomnia
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Warnings For Use<\/strong><\/td>\u2022 Combination with other medications may cause serotonin syndrome
\n\u2022 Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
\n \u2022 Anxiety or agitation
\n \u2022 Fever, sweating
\n \u2022 Tremors
\n \u2022 Restlessness
\n \u2022 Confusion
\n \u2022 Lack of coordination
\n \u2022 Blood pressure and heart rate changes
\n
\n\u2022 Rarely, SSRIs may cause
\nsuicidal thoughts or behaviors
\n \u2022 Contact your doctor immediately if this occurs
\n
\n\u2022 Discuss other medications with your doctor, as adverse reactions may occur
\n<\/td>		Adverse drug interactions:
\n\u2022 Antiarrhythmics
\n\u2022 Antihypertensives
\n\u2022 Antipsychotics
\n\u2022 OTC and Rx allergy medications
\n\u2022 Clonidine
\n\u2022 Mefloquine
\n\u2022 NSAIDs
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n

SSRIs For Anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are commonly prescribed antidepressants that help relieve anxiety symptoms. Regarding anxiety disorders, SSRIs are most effective at treating GAD or generalized anxiety disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of GAD include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n