Anxiety among older adults is a common health concern, but there are medications that may help to ease the symptoms. These can include duloxetine, escitalopram, buspirone, venlafaxine, and sertraline.
Anxiety disorders are
Several medications may help treat anxiety in older adults. They typically include antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and some other forms of medication.
This article reviews several common medications that may help older adults with anxiety.
The following table outlines the medications that can help ease anxiety in older adults.
| Brand name | Generic name | Dose in milligrams per day (mg/day) | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexapro | Escitalopram | 10 mg/day | • anorgasmia • insomnia • ejaculation disorder • nausea • decreased libido • increased sweating • fatigue • drowsiness |
| Cymbalta | Duloxetine | 30–60 mg/day | • nausea • dry mouth • appetite loss • drowsiness • constipation • excessive sweating |
| Buspar | Buspirone | • dizziness • nausea • headache • nervousness • lightheadedness | |
| Effexor | Venlafaxine | 37.5–225 mg/day to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder (PD) 75 mg/day to treat social anxiety disorder (SAD) | • nausea • drowsiness • dry mouth • sweating • abnormal ejaculation • constipation • erectile dysfunction • decreased libido • appetite loss |
| Zoloft | Sertraline | 50–200 mg/day to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). | • nausea • diarrhea or loose stool • tremor • indigestion • appetite loss • excessive sweating • inability to ejaculate • decreased libido |
Escitalopram is a type of antidepressant called an SSRI. Medical professionals often prescribe it to treat GAD in adults and MDD.
SSRI medications
To treat GAD in older adults, a doctor may prescribe 10 mg a day.
Side effects
Though generally well tolerated, escitalopram can cause some side effects in people.
Common side effects can include:
- anorgasmia, which is when a person is persistently unable to achieve orgasm despite sexual stimulation
- insomnia
- ejaculation disorder
- nausea
- decreased libido
- increased sweating
- fatigue
- drowsiness
Duloxetine is a type of SNRI. Doctors often prescribe it for depression or GAD.
Like other SNRIs, duloxetine
To treat GAD in older adults, a doctor may initially prescribe 30 mg per day and may increase the dose to 60 mg per day.
Side effects
Some common side effects can include:
- nausea
- dry mouth
- decreased appetite
- drowsiness
- constipation
- excessive sweating
Buspirone is a type of anti-anxiety medication that doctors prescribe to treat GAD and to help relieve the short-term symptoms of anxiety.
A person takes buspirone orally as a tablet. It is not known exactly how it works to help with anxiety.
According to a
A person should not exceed 60 mg per day.
Side effects
Common side effects can include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- headache
- nervousness
- lightheadedness
Venlafaxine is a type of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication. It
A doctor may prescribe the following to treat anxiety in older adults:
| Starting dose (mg/day) | Target dose (mg/day) | Maximum dose (mg/day) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAD | 37.5–75 | 75 | 225 |
| Social anxiety disorder (SAD) | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Panic disorder (PD) | 37.5 | 75 | 225 |
Side effects
Possible common side effects can include:
- nausea
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- sweating
- abnormal ejaculation
- constipation
- erectile dysfunction
- decreased libido
- a loss of appetite
Sertraline is a type of antidepressant that may help with anxiety disorders. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of sertraline to treat SAD and PD. However, doctors may also prescribe sertraline off-label to treat GAD.
Sertraline increases the amount of serotonin in the brain.
According to a
If a doctor is prescribing sertraline to treat MDD or OCD, the starting dose is 50 mg.
Side effects
Possible side effects can include:
- nausea
- diarrhea or loose stool
- tremor
- indigestion
- decreased appetite
- excessive sweating
- ejaculatory dysfunction
- decreased libido
When starting a new medication, a person may wish to consider the following:
- How long it takes for the medication to start working: Many medications can take a while before they start to work. This means a person will need to continue to take them for some time before they start to notice any effects.
- Side effects: Anxiety medications can cause side effects in some people. People should keep a record of side effects and let the doctor know if they become unbearable.
- Interactions with other medications: Before starting a new medication, a person should provide a list of all over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications they take.
- Discontinuing the medication: Before stopping a medication, a person should speak with a doctor about safely discontinuing the medication. Some can cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow all instructions from a doctor or pharmacist: A person should make sure they follow and understand the instructions from the doctor regarding their medications. This can help ensure the medication will be as effective as possible.
Medications can be expensive. A person or caregiver can speak with a pharmacist or doctor to see if they have any information on prescription saving plans or coupons that they may qualify for.
People may also find the following organizations helpful:
Several medications can help to treat anxiety in older adults. A person should work with a doctor to determine the best options for them.
Some options include escitalopram, duloxetine, buspirone, venlafaxine, and sertraline.
Before starting a new medication, a person may wish to consider how long the medications take to work, their side effects, and how they will interact with their current medications.