Panic Attack Medication 101: A Complete Guide

Panic attacks — if you’ve had them, you know how crippling and painful these moments of anxiety can be. They can come out of nowhere and, without proper support, can seem to take control of your entire body and mind. But panic attack medication might help.

Today, mental health professionals have far better tools than decades past — namely, medications — to help people cope with and overcome panic attacks. And the options are only getting more accessible and effective.

But you may be asking yourself: Do I even have panic attacks? What kind of medical care should I seek for my panic attacks? What is a panic attack, anyway?

Read on to learn what a panic attack is and explore the best medications for panic attacks, as well as other remedies available to treat and manage them.

To understand how panic attack medication works, you first need to know what a panic attack is.

You may experience feelings of panic when you realize you left your phone in an Uber or forgot to show up to an important appointment. In those stressful scenarios, feeling panicky is normal (albeit unpleasant). A panic attack is different.

Panic attacks are moments of intense anxiety that manifest in both mental and physical symptoms. But they often unfold without the presence of a threat — sometimes even without a known trigger. Instead, they arise out-of-the blue in seemingly benign, banal situations.

Put simply, a panic attack is when your body is thrown into full-on fight-or-flight mode in situations that don’t require it. This can be really frustrating, unsettling, and scary.

Some people describe panic attacks as feeling like they’re having a heart attack or losing complete control over their body — and anyone can experience them, regardless of age, gender, etc.

Panic attack medication aims to help manage the symptoms to either prevent or minimize an episode.

Why Do Panic Attacks Happen?

There isn’t one underlying cause of panic attacks. But they’re often associated with other anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, medical conditions, and substance use.

Genetic makeup and environmental stimuli (like a job or home life) can also influence the likelihood of a panic attack. For example, if you have a hard time in group settings, you might be more likely to have a panic attack while surrounded by a group.

Some issues that may contribute to the risk of experiencing a panic attack:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD has been found to increase the likelihood of a panic attack.

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The gut and the mind are actually closely connected. IBS can cause someone to worry about losing control over their bowels, thus increasing the anxiety they feel in social situations.

• Asthma. Asthma can trigger a panic attack because one symptom of a panic attack is the false perception that you can’t breathe. 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD increases hypervigilance, which can flare up in a social setting.

• Big life changes. Major life transitions can disrupt a sense of normalcy and tell your body that not all is right in your world. Even good change causes stress, like getting a promotion or moving into a new home.

Consistently experiencing unexpected panic attacks could also point to panic disorder. Other criteria of panic disorder include:

• Continual worry about future panic attacks or anxiousness about the implications of attacks

• Major changes in behaviors related to panic attacks

Learn more in our guide to panic disorder versus generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Criteria for Panic Attack Diagnosis

Someone having a panic attack – whether for the first time or living with panic disorder — might experience a number of physical symptoms and psychological anxiety symptoms.

Symptoms of a panic attack can include:

• A sense of impending doom

• Sweating

• Trembling

• Numbness in hands and feet

• Pounding heart

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Nausea or upset stomach

• Fear of dying

• General, intense fear

Alone, these symptoms might not necessarily signal a panic attack. But if you feel at least four of them at once, you might be experiencing one.

Can Panic Attacks Be Cured?

Recurring panic attacks (panic disorder) isn’t technically curable. But by managing the symptoms and getting proper treatment, you can reduce the frequency and eventually — potentially — never have panic attacks again.

Like others who’ve experienced them, you’re probably wondering how to stop panic attacks. The episodes can trigger a crippling Please make this go away now thought loop. Fortunately, treatment for panic attacks is available.

Panic attack medication can help with the symptoms, but if you experience intense chest pain, seek medical attention right away.

“If panic attacks happen more than once a month, the best way to control them is with a daily antidepressant medication, such as an SSRI,” says Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, senior vice president of mental health at Hims & Hers.

“If they happen only once in a while, some people prefer using an as-needed benzodiazepine, such as alprazolam (Xanax®),” Dr. Lieberman adds.

So, can a prescription medication stop a panic attack? Not quite. Usually, medication can’t stop a panic attack in its tracks, but it can help prevent or reduce the severity of one.

We’ll break down some of the prescription anxiety medications that help tamp down panic attacks.

1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Mental health professionals commonly prescribe SSRIs (short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), a class of prescription antidepressant medication that can effectively combat panic attacks.

SSRIs work by helping your brain and body use serotonin better. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a key role in regulating moods.

Besides panic disorder, SSRIs are prescribed to treat many things, including major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Some examples of SSRIs medications:

• Citalopram (Celexa®)

• Escitalopram (Lexapro®)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac®)

• Paroxetine (Paxil®)

• Sertraline (Zoloft®)

SSRI panic attack medications are generally well tolerated. Though, like all prescription medications, they do have some side effects.

While the side effects vary by type, and many of them go away with time, more frequently reported ones include:

• Dry mouth

• Nausea

• Agitation

• Insomnia

• Low libido

• Headache

Hers offers access to anxiety treatment online for those who want to find out if they’re a good candidate for SSRI intervention.

2. Selective Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Like SSRIs, SNRIs (selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are also prescribed by psychiatrists to treat depression and anxiety.

But beyond regulating serotonin, SNRIs boost the body’s norepinephrine levels. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that spikes during moments of stress.

Some SNRIs are also used to treat nerve-related pain conditions like fibromyalgia.

Venlafaxine (generic for Effexor®) is the only SNRI approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for panic disorder treatment, but doctors believe the others work well, too.

Hers offers access to generic venlafaxine through licensed providers specializing in psychiatry on our platform. 

3. Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (or benzos) are prescription drugs developed specifically to treat anxiety. Data shows these medications are effective in tamping down the severity of a panic attack or the overall severity of panic disorder.

Benzodiazepines are also considered a fast-acting medication for panic attacks. In other words, the calming effects kick in quickly.

They work by making your brain more sensitive to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that makes you feel calmer.

Both alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin®) have been FDA-approved to treat panic disorder. Other examples of benzodiazepines include:

• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium®)

• Diazepam (Valium®)

• Lorazepam (Ativan®)

Some common side effects of benzodiazepines include:

• Drowsiness

• Confusion

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Shallow breathing

Another risk factor to consider about these panic attack medications is that benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence. Since they can be habit-forming, they should only be used occasionally, as needed, or during an active panic attack.

4. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Tricyclic antidepressants aren’t actually FDA-approved to treat panic disorder. But some providers prescribe them off-label because studies show they can help with panic attacks.

TCAs include imipramine (Tofranil®), clomipramine (Anafranil®), and nortriptyline (Pamelor®).

Since tricyclic antidepressants have more side effects than other panic attack medications, providers don’t typically use them as the first line of defense.

5. Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers essentially prevent stress hormones from triggering your body’s fight-or-flight response so it doesn’t speed up your heart rate.

These prescription drugs were initially used to treat cardiovascular disorders, like high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, as well as lower the risk of heart attack.

But beta-blockers like propranolol are now sometimes prescribed to help manage anxiety disorders, prevent panic attacks, and treat other stress-related medical conditions. Although they work well in certain situations, they’re less effective than SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzodiazepines.

Learn more in our guide to beta-blockers.

There are many ways to remedy a panic disorder or recurrent panic attacks — and they don’t necessarily require a visit to the pharmacy to pick up panic attack medication.

Some folks “who experience panic attacks simply breathe deeply and endure them,” Dr. Lieberman explains.

If you prefer natural remedies or lifestyle interventions, you could try:

• Grounding techniques. The idea is to root yourself in the space you inhabit, recenter your mind on something concrete, and push it away from the intrusive — or painful — anxiety-inducing thoughts that seem to control the show during a panic attack. Lots of online tutorials can walk you through relaxation techniques.

• Deep-breathing exercises. These can help ramp down a rough moment. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is a great example.

• Exercise. Physical activities can improve your mood and, in turn, long-term wellness. Research indicates that regular exercise can have some pretty serious positive benefits to your overall mental well-being.

• Psychotherapy. The data on undergoing psychological treatment, like talk therapy, to reduce feelings of panic is also extremely encouraging. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, has a positive impact on those who suffer from panic attacks.

Though the above techniques might be helpful, panic attack medication can also be an effective way to take care of your mental health. Many people who live with panic attacks end up using a combined approach.

You can get a prescription for panic attack medication after meeting with a licensed healthcare professional specializing in psychiatry, like a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

After reviewing your symptoms and health history, your provider might write you a prescription for one of the above medications for panic attacks.

You can also access some panic attack medications online through telehealth platforms like Hers.

Panic attacks are no fun, to say the least. But if one hits, there are various ways to treat the effects in the short-term and mitigate the likelihood of future attacks.

Here’s what to remember as you navigate panic attack treatment options, including panic attack medication:

• Many forms of treatment exist for panic disorders. According to Dr. Lieberman, using antidepressant medication can be an excellent way to prevent a panic attack.

• Medications like SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzodiazepines can cut down the severity of a panic attack and reduce the number of future panic attacks you experience. 

• Data suggests the most effective way to treat anxiety or panic disorders is combining talk therapy with some form of medication. Research shows that psychiatric care is a safe, effective, short- and long-term solution to help people cope with panic attacks. 

Most importantly, there’s no shame in seeking help to address panic attacks or other anxiety disorders. It’s normal to need help — and it’s the right thing to do for yourself.

Regardless of where you are in your mental health journey, gathering information brings you one step closer to finding relief, stability, and strength to conquer your panic attacks.

If you need help right away, call one of the mental health crisis hotlines. Or seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe chest pain or difficulty breathing.