# Medication for Anxiety Attacks and Panic Attacks: What Works

> Medication for anxiety attacks and panic attacks: daily SSRIs and SNRIs for prevention, short-term options for fast relief, side effects and how to get care.

URL: https://foundationmedicalgroup.org/medication-for-anxiety-attacks-and-panic-attacks/
Published: 2026-10-29
Updated: 2026-10-29

Medication for anxiety attacks and panic attacks does two different jobs. Daily medicines, mainly SSRI and SNRI antidepressants, lower how often panic attacks happen, but they may take several weeks to start working. Fast-acting medicines, mainly benzodiazepines, calm an attack quickly. But they carry real risks of tolerance and dependence, so they’re usually short-term. Therapy, especially CBT, works alongside both, and a psychiatrist can help you choose.
What Is Panic Attack Medication? Panic attack medication is any prescription medicine used either to prevent panic attacks or to ease one while it is happening. Those are separate jobs, and most treatment plans lean on one more than the other.
Prevention means a medicine you take every day, whether or not you feel anxious that day. Over time it lowers how often attacks come and how strong they feel. Relief means a medicine taken during an attack, or just before a situation you know sets one off, for a short period.
According to NIMH, for panic disorder health care providers typically start with SSRIs or other antidepressants as the first treatment. That’s because they have fewer side effects than other medications. Fast-acting medicines usually play a smaller, shorter role.
Choosing between them, and adjusting over the months that follow, is what medication management is for. If you want the full tour of every anxiety medication class, our anxiety medication guide covers it. This page stays on panic.
Is an Anxiety Attack the Same as a Panic Attack? Not always. “Panic attack” has a set meaning. MedlinePlus describes panic attacks as sudden periods of intense fear, discomfort or a sense of losing control that happen even though there is no real danger. They often bring physical symptoms, such as a pounding heartbeat that can feel like a heart attack.
“Anxiety attack” is an everyday phrase. The NIMH and MedlinePlus panic disorder guides we cite describe panic attacks; neither uses the phrase anxiety attack. In daily life, people say anxiety attack for a full panic attack. They also use it for a wave of worry and tension that builds over hours.
The difference matters for treatment. A sudden attack that peaks and passes points toward panic. Worry that hangs on most days, about many things, is closer to generalized anxiety disorder, which is treated differently. MedlinePlus, for example, lists escitalopram for depression and generalized anxiety disorder; panic is not among its listed uses.
Not sure which one you have? Describe what happens, how fast it starts and how long it lasts. That description is the most useful thing you can bring to a first visit. Jot it in your phone notes the next time it happens, whether that’s stuck in Richmond traffic or standing in a checkout line in Dallas. It doesn’t have to be neat.
What Are Panic Symptoms, and When Is It Panic Disorder? Panic symptoms come on fast. People with panic disorder may have:
a pounding or racing heart. sweating or chills. trembling or shaking. trouble breathing or a feeling of choking. weakness or dizziness. tingly or numb hands. chest pain. stomach pain or nausea. a feeling of being out of control, or a fear of death. Panic attacks can last anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, and they can come as often as several times a day or as rarely as a few times a year. Some happen during sleep. That’s a frightening list to read, we know. Chest pain always deserves a medical check; if you think you may be having a heart attack, call 911.
One attack does not mean you have a disorder. Many people only have one or two panic attacks in their lifetime and get better without treatment. Panic disorder is different. It’s a type of anxiety disorder with repeated attacks. To be diagnosed, a person must have recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spend at least 1 month worrying about more attacks or changing their behavior to avoid them.
Panic disorder often begins in the late teens or early adulthood, and it is more common in women than men. It is not life-threatening, but left untreated it can lead to other health conditions, including depression and substance use disorders. That’s a good reason to get anxiety symptoms like these checked early.
Panic Attack Medication at a Glance This table sums up the main panic attack medication options by the job they do. It is not a dosing guide; your prescriber chooses based on your symptoms, history and other medicines.
Medicine type Examples Main job How long it takes Main trade-off SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine Daily prevention Several weeks; antidepressants usually 4 to 8 weeks Side effects such as headaches, nausea or trouble sleeping; warning on suicidal thoughts in people under 24 SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) venlafaxine Daily prevention Several weeks Similar side effects and the same warning Benzodiazepine alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam, diazepam Fast relief, short-term Rapid Tolerance, dependence, withdrawal; FDA boxed warning Beta blocker (off-label) propranolol Physical symptoms in certain situations Used as needed Generally not recommended with asthma or diabetes Antihistamine hydroxyzine Relief of anxiety and tension No onset figure on MedlinePlus Heart rhythm caution (prolonged QT interval) Anxiolytic buspirone Longer-term anxiety 3 to 4 weeks of daily use Does not work as needed The first two rows are the usual starting point for panic disorder. The benzodiazepine row is the one people ask about most, and it carries the most caution.
What Is the Best Daily Medication for Panic Disorder? There is no single best daily medication for panic disorder. NIMH notes that finding the best treatment may take trial and error, and that both therapy and medication take time to work. That can be frustrating, honestly, especially when you’re the one waiting it out. What works well for one person may cause side effects in another.
The usual first choice is an antidepressant. MedlinePlus lists:
Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for panic attacks, along with depression, OCD, PTSD and social anxiety disorder. Fluoxetine, also an SSRI, for panic attacks, depression and OCD. Paroxetine, an SSRI, for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Venlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. SSRIs and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are commonly prescribed. They improve symptoms across a broad group of depressive and anxiety disorders, and they cause fewer side effects than older antidepressants. Older medicines such as tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs cause more side effects. Still, they may be the best option for some people.
Every antidepressant on this list carries the same warning. In children, teenagers and young adults under 24, medications such as sertraline and venlafaxine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. This happens most often in the first few months or after a dose change. If that happens, call your doctor right away.
The “best” medicine is the one that controls your panic with side effects you can live with. That usually takes a few follow-up visits to find.
How Long Do Anti Anxiety Medications Take to Work? It depends on the job the medicine does. Daily medicines are slow; fast-relief medicines are fast.
Antidepressants take time, usually 4 to 8 weeks, to work. Sleep, appetite, energy and concentration often improve before mood lifts. For panic disorder, NIMH says SSRIs and SNRIs may take several weeks to start working. Early side effects, such as headaches, nausea or trouble sleeping, are usually not severe. That’s especially true when the dose starts low and rises slowly.
MedlinePlus says it may take a few weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of sertraline, and that you should keep taking it even if you feel well.
Buspirone is an antianxiety medicine in a class called anxiolytics. Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone must be taken every day for 3 to 4 weeks to reach its full effect. It isn’t effective for treating anxiety on an as-needed basis. MedlinePlus adds that it may take several weeks to reach a dose that works for you.
Benzodiazepines are the exception. They can work rapidly. That speed is why people want them, and it’s also why they’re watched closely.
The practical point is patience. Many anti anxiety medications need a fair trial before anyone judges them. So plan your first follow-up inside that window, rather than giving up after a week. We know that wait can feel endless when you’re white-knuckling your way through each day. Hang in there, and tell us how it’s going.
What Is the Fastest Acting Medication for a Panic Attack? Benzodiazepines are the fastest. According to NIMH, they’re anti-anxiety sedative medications that can be very effective in rapidly decreasing panic attack symptoms. NIMH also says they’re useful as needed to reduce severe anxiety in the short term. MedlinePlus lists:
Alprazolam for anxiety disorders and panic disorder. Clonazepam for certain seizures and panic attacks. Lorazepam to relieve anxiety and treat insomnia. Diazepam to relieve anxiety and for several other uses. Here’s the catch. Some people build up a tolerance and need higher and higher doses to get the same effect, and some become dependent. That’s why a provider may prescribe them only for brief periods. We’ll be straight with you about that at the first visit, even if it isn’t what you were hoping to hear.
Two other prescription options target parts of an attack. Beta blockers can help control physical panic symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, sweating and tremors. They aren’t commonly prescribed for panic disorder. But NIMH says they may help in certain situations that come before a panic attack. Propranolol, a beta blocker, is sometimes used off-label to treat anxiety.
Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine used to relieve anxiety and tension. MedlinePlus gives no onset time for it, so we won’t either.
Fast relief is not the same as long-term control. A medicine that stops one attack does nothing to make the next one less likely. That’s a tough one to hear when all you want is for the next attack never to come.
Are Benzodiazepines Safe for Panic Attacks? Benzodiazepines can be used safely for short periods under close supervision. But they carry serious risks, and the FDA has said so in its strongest form of warning.
In 2020 the FDA required the Boxed Warning, its most prominent warning, to be updated for all benzodiazepines. The update addresses the risks of abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. The agency’s key points:
Physical dependence can occur when benzodiazepines are taken steadily for several days to weeks, even as prescribed. Abuse and misuse can lead to overdose or death, especially when benzodiazepines are combined with opioid pain relievers, alcohol or illicit drugs. Stopping them abruptly or lowering the dose too quickly can cause withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening. These are common medicines. In 2019, an estimated 92 million benzodiazepine prescriptions were dispensed from U.S. outpatient pharmacies, with alprazolam the most common at 38 percent, followed by clonazepam and lorazepam.
MedlinePlus adds that alprazolam may be habit-forming. It also warns that combining benzodiazepines with certain cough or pain medicines can cause serious breathing problems. Tell your prescriber if you have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol or used street drugs.
To lower these risks, providers usually prescribe benzodiazepines for short periods. They also taper them slowly to reduce withdrawal symptoms or a return of anxiety symptoms. Benzodiazepines are controlled medicines. For some controlled prescriptions, the first visit with us needs to be in person.
Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help With Panic Disorder? Yes. NIMH calls cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) the “gold standard” choice of psychotherapy for panic disorder. CBT teaches you to react differently to the physical sensations of anxiety and fear during an attack. As you do, attacks can become less frequent.
Two CBT methods are common. Exposure therapy focuses on facing the fears and beliefs tied to panic so you can return to activities you have been avoiding. Interoceptive exposure involves practicing with the body sensations that come with panic attacks. NIMH notes that exposure therapy for anxiety disorders takes place in a supportive setting, in short periods, until the fear fades.
Therapy and medication also work well together. A Cochrane review of 21 trials with 1,709 patients found that during active treatment, therapy plus an antidepressant worked better than either one alone. After treatment ended, the combination was more effective than medication alone and as effective as therapy alone. The authors concluded that either combined treatment or therapy alone may be chosen as the first anxiety treatment for panic disorder, depending on what the patient prefers.
Read more about cognitive behavioral therapy, or start talk therapy with us. We offer it by video in all four states we serve. In person, it’s only at our Richmond, Virginia clinic, just off Midlothian Turnpike.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Anxiety Medications? Stopping suddenly can make you feel worse, and with some anxiety medications it can be dangerous. Always talk to your prescriber before you stop or lower a dose.
NIMH says people should not stop taking a prescribed medication, even if they feel better, without the help of a health care provider. A provider can slowly and safely decrease the dose and give your body time to adjust. Stopping too soon may cause unpleasant or harmful side effects. And anxiety can come back.
For antidepressants, MedlinePlus says that stopping sertraline suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, mood changes, irritability, anxiety, dizziness, headache and trouble sleeping.
For benzodiazepines the stakes are higher. Stopping abruptly or cutting the dose too quickly can cause withdrawal reactions, including seizures that can be life-threatening. The FDA advises patients not to stop suddenly without first discussing a plan with their health care professional.
If side effects or cost are making you want to stop, say so at your next visit. There’s almost always a safer way to change course than stopping on your own.
What Are Some Over the Counter Medications for Flight Anxiety? We don’t recommend any over the counter product for flight anxiety on this page. Honestly, none of the sources we use supports one. So if something on the pharmacy shelf catches your eye before a flight out of Richmond, Salt Lake City, Atlanta or DFW, ask your prescriber about it first.
Two points still apply. First, the FDA advises always telling your health care professionals about every prescription and over the counter medicine you take. That includes alcohol and other substances. Some combinations are risky with prescription medication for anxiety.
Second, if one situation, such as travel, reliably sets off your attacks, bring it up at your visit. NIMH notes that beta blockers, which need a prescription, may help in certain situations that come before a panic attack.
Where Can I Find Online Support for Anxiety? You can get real treatment for anxiety online. NIMH says psychotherapy can be effective whether it’s delivered in person or by telehealth. Many psychiatric medicines can also be prescribed and adjusted by video. Whether you’re out in Chesterfield, up near Provo, over in Decatur or up in Plano, the visit can happen from your own couch.
At Foundation Medical Group, we offer psychiatric evaluation, medication management and talk therapy by video in all four states we serve: Virginia, Utah, Georgia and Texas. Our guide to online medication management explains how virtual visits work. Want to start therapy as well? We’ll talk that through at your first visit.
Good mental health support is also about knowing where to go in a crisis. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988. In a life-threatening situation, call 911.
How Does Our Team Build an Anxiety Treatment Plan for Panic? Every plan starts with a psychiatric evaluation with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. We review your panic attacks, your full history and the medicines you take, and you leave with a working diagnosis and a plan.
From there, medication management means steady follow-up rather than a single prescription. Visits are monthly at first, then every 1 to 3 months once you’re stable. We check how your panic symptoms are changing, watch for side effects and adjust the plan when something isn’t working. Your plan may include medication, CBT, or both. If anxiety and low mood seem tangled up together, we look at both during the evaluation, not just the panic. Honestly, those follow-up visits are where most of the real work gets done, and we’d much rather hear about a rough week there than find out later you quietly stopped.
We offer psychiatric evaluation and medication management in person and by video in Virginia, Utah, Georgia and Texas. Plans we work with include Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Medicaid. Call to confirm coverage for your plan and state. Our Virginia clinic does not accept Medicare at this time.
We offer TMS and Spravato only at our Richmond, Virginia clinic. No Utah, Georgia or Texas clinic offers them. We know that’s a long haul if you live along the Wasatch Front or out in North Texas, and we’d rather tell you now than after you’ve made the trip.
Key Takeaways Medication for panic does two jobs: daily prevention (mainly SSRIs and SNRIs) and short-term fast relief (mainly benzodiazepines). Antidepressants usually take 4 to 8 weeks to work, so give them a fair trial with follow-up. Benzodiazepines work fast but carry an FDA boxed warning for abuse, dependence and withdrawal. CBT is the gold standard therapy for panic disorder, and therapy plus medication beats medication alone. Never stop an anxiety medication suddenly; talk to your prescriber about a plan. FAQ Can I take a benzodiazepine every day for panic disorder? Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed for short periods, because taking them over long periods can lead to tolerance or dependence. Physical dependence can develop when they are taken steadily for several days to weeks, even as prescribed. Your prescriber decides how long, and any change should be planned with them.
Do beta blockers stop panic attacks? Beta blockers such as propranolol can help with physical symptoms like a rapid heart rate, sweating and tremors. They are not commonly prescribed for panic disorder itself, but may help in certain situations that come before a panic attack.
Is hydroxyzine used for panic attacks? Hydroxyzine is a prescription antihistamine that is used to relieve anxiety and tension. It is not a benzodiazepine. Tell your doctor about any heart rhythm problems before taking it.
Can I get panic attack medication online? Most psychiatric medicines can be prescribed after a video visit. Controlled medicines such as benzodiazepines follow federal and state rules, and for some of them the first visit needs to be in person.
Sources NIMH, Panic Disorder: What You Need to Know. NIMH, Mental Health Medications. MedlinePlus, Panic Disorder. FDA, FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. Furukawa TA, Watanabe N, Churchill R. Combined psychotherapy plus antidepressants for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2007. NIMH, Psychotherapies. MedlinePlus, Sertraline. MedlinePlus, Escitalopram. MedlinePlus, Fluoxetine. MedlinePlus, Paroxetine. MedlinePlus, Venlafaxine. MedlinePlus, Buspirone. MedlinePlus, Alprazolam. MedlinePlus, Lorazepam. MedlinePlus, Clonazepam. MedlinePlus, Diazepam. MedlinePlus, Hydroxyzine. MedlinePlus, Propranolol.