Ranking of the best drugs for panic attacks for 2022

A panic attack is a sudden attack of uncontrollable fear or anxiety, accompanied by somatic or cognitive symptoms (memory loss, forgetfulness). Perhaps a sharp increase in blood pressure, dizziness, nausea. The attack develops rapidly, within 10 minutes, but also passes quickly.

Important! Panic attacks themselves are not a disease, but if repeated many times, they can greatly reduce the quality of life. And they can also signal the presence of serious diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine systems.

Treatment, including medication, is prescribed by a doctor. But it is worth knowing what over-the-counter drugs you can take to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Symptoms

An uncontrolled state of fear and panic can be associated with any alarming situation (for example, a person who is afraid of insects may have an attack at the sight of a spider), with existing somatic diseases, or arise spontaneously, without any special reasons. As a rule, frequent panic attacks are characteristic of people with severe depression, cardiovascular diseases, and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

It is worth noting that a feeling of fear can arise under normal circumstances, in a familiar environment, for example, at home, on a walk or in a minibus, on which a person travels to work every day.

The primary symptoms of a panic attack are similar to those of a heart attack (increased blood pressure, increased heart rate). That is why the diagnosis of panic conditions is difficult (an attack lasts an average of 10 minutes).

The main symptom is the rapid development of the attack. The feeling of anxiety, discomfort very quickly turns into a strong fear, panic. After a few minutes, a strong heartbeat appears, it becomes difficult to breathe (feeling of a lump in the throat or suffocation). There may also be increased sweating, numbness of the extremities. There is severe dizziness, up to fainting, hand tremor.

People who experience a panic attack for the first time experience a fear of death.

What happens during an attack

If we consider a panic attack from the point of view of physiology, then the attack develops as follows: severe anxiety activates the production of the hormone cortisol in the adrenal glands, after which vasoconstriction occurs, which means that blood flow increases (increased blood pressure, strong heartbeat). For the same reason, abdominal cramps are possible, accompanied by sharp pain. As a result of tachycardia, shortness of breath, a feeling of "suffocation" (a person cannot fully breathe) or lack of air occurs.

What to do with a panic attack

An attack can take you by surprise at any time. In this case, the main thing is to try to get distracted. To get rid of fear, you can walk around the room, turn on the TV, squeeze and unclench your palms - occupy yourself with the simplest actions. Some doctors advise mentally counting the number of inhalations and exhalations or solving simple problems in your mind.

If attacks happen frequently, always take a bottle of water with you. As a rule, a few sips of water help to calm down a little and adequately assess the situation.

Separately, it should be said about breathing. During a panic attack, the heart rate increases, causing even more fear, so the first thing to do is to normalize breathing. To do this, you should learn how to breathe in cycles - count to 4 per breath, hold your breath (also counting to 4), exhale slowly.

Relatives can also help a person in a state of panic attack - take the hand, ask about some little things. The main thing is to speak in a calm and confident voice. If there are any sedatives in the house (even valerian tincture will do), you can give them to the patient.

Which doctor to contact

People who have experienced panic attacks at least once begin to fear recurrence of attacks, especially when attacks of anxiety or fear begin suddenly, for no apparent reason. Many patients who are prone to frequent attacks eventually feel that they are going crazy, or at least have serious mental disorders. Therefore, the question of how to get rid of seizures is far from idle.

The exact cause of panic attacks is unknown. The frequency of attacks can be affected by problems with the endocrine, cardiovascular systems. As a rule, people with a catastrophic type of thinking, who tend to dramatize the most insignificant events, are more likely to have panic attacks. As well as people with heightened emotional susceptibility or experiencing constant emotional discomfort. In this case, the impetus for the occurrence of panic attacks can be overwork, stress, or just talking in raised tones.

To solve the problem once and for all, you need to see a doctor. First of all - to the neuropathologist. After examining and taking anamnesis, the specialist will exclude diseases with similar symptoms, and if the diagnosis is confirmed, he will prescribe medications (in some cases, prescription drugs).

The second step is to contact a psychotherapist. The doctor will help to find the root cause of fears. It is quite possible that the seizures are associated with some kind of psychological trauma (moreover, suffered in early childhood) that reminds of itself in this way. In this case, sessions with a psychotherapist, supplemented by drug therapy, give good results, help get rid of panic attacks.

Treatment

Medicines can only be prescribed by a doctor. Drugs for the treatment of panic attacks are divided into 3 main groups:

• sedatives;
• anxiolytics (tranquilizers);
• antidepressants.

Depending on the group, the drugs have an effect on the nervous and vascular systems. So, antidepressants and sedatives help restore the nervous system, relieve anxiety, and neutralize the effects of psycho-emotional stress. Antipsychotics suppress aggression, reduce psychomotor agitation, and are prescribed for mental disorders.

Sedative drugs

Effective at the first manifestations of panic attacks. Such drugs have a mild sedative effect, improve sleep, and help get rid of anxiety. Another plus is that most sedatives contain natural herbal ingredients. You can buy them at the pharmacy without a prescription.

Valemidin

Valemidin is a combined sedative drug. As part of the tincture of motherwort, hawthorn, valerian and peppermint, as well as diphenhydramine in a small dosage (0.025 g per 25 ml of the drug). It has a sedative and antispasmodic effect.

It is used to eliminate the symptoms of a panic attack (relieves feelings of anxiety, fear), normalization of sleep in case of insomnia. Both a one-time reception and a course to stabilize the emotional state are possible.
Release form - drops, yellowish or brown in color with a characteristic odor.

Contraindicated in heart failure (in acute and chronic stages), pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Valemidin, like other sedatives, will not cope with frequent panic attacks, but is prescribed as an adjuvant in complex treatment.

• relieves feelings of anxiety, fear;
• normalizes sleep with insomnia.

• does not cure, is prescribed as an adjuvant.

Persen

A drug with a natural composition. Active ingredients - dry extracts of lemon balm, valerian and mint. It has a pronounced sedative, moderate antispasmodic and hypnotic effect.

Important! Enhances the effect of painkillers, sedatives, and drugs that depress the central nervous system, when used together, dosage adjustment is required.

Indicated for irritability, nervousness, sleep disorders. Relieves anxiety, helps prevent panic attacks in the initial stage. Sold without a prescription, available in the form of tablets and drops.

With regular use, as a monotherapy, it is able to stop an attack at the initial stage. This is confirmed by customer reviews.

It is prescribed as a prophylactic agent, and in combination with prescription drugs.

• able to stop the attack at the initial stage;
• relieves anxiety, helps prevent panic attacks in the initial stage.

• not detected.

Novo-passit

Novo-Passit is a sedative drug based on herbal extracts supplemented with guaifenesin (anxiolytic, reduces anxiety, fear, emotional stress). It is indicated for neurasthenia, irritability, high emotional stress, manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Release form - tablets, syrup.

With frequent attacks, Novopassit will not help, but can be used in complex therapy in combination with prescription drugs. Since the drug enhances the effect of sedatives, co-administration is possible only after consulting a doctor (he will also select the optimal dosage).

Contraindications: allergy to components, myasthenia gravis, pregnancy, lactation.
The drug is sold without a prescription, effective at the initial stage of an attack (Novopassit in the form of a syrup acts faster). It can also be used as a preventive measure.

• the drug is sold without a prescription;
• effective at the initial stage of an attack.

• there are contraindications.

Anxiolytics

They are used for diagnosed mental disorders, they are sold in pharmacies only by prescription. Dosage and regimen are selected individually, depending on the symptoms.

Anxiolytics are effective, quickly stop attacks, reduce the frequency of manifestations of panic attacks, depressingly affecting the central nervous system, while eliminating anxiety and irritability. On average, a positive effect is achieved within a few days after administration.

Of the significant disadvantages - a large number of side effects, including those associated with impaired concentration. With prolonged use, addiction is possible, as a result - withdrawal symptoms after cancellation.

Phenazepam

A prescription drug of the benzodiazepine series, it has a sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant effect. It is actively used to treat conditions accompanied by increased anxiety, neurosis, panic attacks.

Efficiency has been proven both by the patients themselves and by specialists. But it is worth remembering that Phenazepam is a serious drug that has contraindications and a wide list of side effects. Long-term treatment is not recommended, since the drug causes physical dependence (when the condition is canceled, the condition may worsen).
Tablets are taken at the first symptoms of a panic attack, in doses recommended by the attending physician.

• effective;
• affordable cost.

• has contraindications and a wide range of side effects;
• causes physical dependence.

Tenoten

With increased excitability, anxiety, irritability, doctors prescribe anti-oxidants and antispasmodics, including Tenoten. It effectively eliminates vegetative disorders, increases concentration. The active ingredients of the drug prevent damage to the brain cells during oxygen starvation. The drug protects against the effects of stress factors, reduces the appearance of a depressive syndrome, and has an anti-asthenic effect. The drug has significant benefits.

• Due to the convenient form of release, the patient's adherence to the therapy is increased;
• Has a minimal range of side effects;
• Does not cause drowsiness;
• Does not contain chemicals.

• The disadvantage of the drug is the price of 300 rubles;
• Tablets should not be taken by minors;
• The drug should be discontinued in patients with lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, malabsorption.

Atarax

It is used to treat anxiety conditions accompanied by panic attacks. It has a sedative, anesthetic and antispasmodic effect, improves the quality and duration of night sleep (reduces the number of awakenings, eliminates the feeling of fear and unreasonable anxiety).

The drug affects the concentration of attention, the speed of psychomotor reactions, so it is recommended to take the pills in the evening, before going to bed.

Reviews for Atarax are mostly positive. People note a significant improvement in their condition, a decrease in the number of panic attacks, an improvement in the quality of sleep, a decrease in anxiety, and a normalization of the emotional background (reduction of irritability).

Tablets are sold only by prescription, the dosage is prescribed by the attending physician (exceeding the dose is undesirable - the risk of side effects is likely).

• reduction in the number of panic attacks;
• improving the quality of sleep;
• reduced anxiety;
• normalization of the emotional background.

• Sold by prescription only.

Afobazole

One of the most commonly prescribed drugs. The effectiveness of the treatment is due to the anxiolytic (eliminates anxiety, bad foreboding, suspiciousness, tearfulness) and slight stimulating effect of Afobazole. Eliminates somatic anxiety symptoms - respiratory, cardiovascular (normalizes the rhythm), as well as irritability.

It is used to treat neurosis in the mild and moderate stages, panic attacks in the initial stage, normalizes the emotional background, eliminates the symptoms of depressive states.

Does not cause addiction and side effects. Withdrawal withdrawal syndrome is absent. A stable result is achieved after a course of administration, on average for 5-7 days (the maximum effect occurs on day 14). Another plus is the absence of negative reactions in the first days of admission.

Afobazol is allowed for free sale - no prescription is needed. But you should not prescribe it yourself, it is better to consult a doctor in advance.

• improves memory and concentration;
• allowed for free sale.

• not detected.

Grandaxin

A drug with a moderate anxiolytic, pronounced sedative effect. Does not cause drowsiness, improves memory and attention, is not addictive even after prolonged use. It is prescribed for the relief of anxiety, with increased internal tension and irritability. Sold by prescription.
Grandaxin can be used one-time - to stop an attack, the clinical effect occurs within half an hour after administration, as well as courses or for prevention.

The drug has earned high praise from doctors and patients. The dosage and duration of the course of treatment is prescribed by a specialist.

• has earned high praise from doctors and patients;
• the clinical effect occurs within half an hour after administration.

• not detected.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants, despite their name, are used not only in the treatment of depression, but also to reduce the frequency of panic attacks. Reduce anxiety, normalize the emotional background.
As a rule, antidepressants are taken as a course. The first days of admission may be accompanied by a deterioration in the condition, the clinical effect is achieved after 2-3 weeks of admission. After a course of treatment, 80% of patients experience a decrease in the frequency of attacks or their complete disappearance.

Amitriptyline

Belongs to the group of antidepressants, has a weak analgesic, antiarrhythmic effect. Efficiency is confirmed by both doctors and patients. In some cases, amitriptyline is superior to similar new generation drugs. More than affordable price.

Release form - tablets, solution for injection. The last option is optimal for emergency assistance. It is released by prescription, requires compliance with the prescribed dosage.

Side effects - drowsiness and weakness, increased exposure to ethanol, so it is better to refuse to drink alcohol during the period of treatment.

• Efficiency is confirmed by both doctors and patients.

• drowsiness and weakness;
• increased exposure to ethanol.

Azafen

It has a mild effect, suitable for the treatment of neuroses of mild and moderate severity. As for panic attacks, the remedy is effective for rare (single) attacks. Does not cause drowsiness, does not reduce activity. Suitable for daytime use.

There are few side effects - allergic reactions to components, pregnancy and lactation. Reviews are contradictory, but in most cases, patients report an improvement in their condition.

The daily dose is prescribed by the doctor, depending on the symptoms. It is recommended to strictly follow the recommendations for admission, not exceeding the dosage recommended by a specialist. Buying pills in a pharmacy without a prescription will not work.

• few side effects;
• soft action;
• suitable for the treatment of neurosis.

• cannot be bought without a prescription.

Escitalopram

The active substance is escitalopram. The medicine is indicated for depressive conditions of varying severity, neurological disorders and increased irritability. In order to avoid exacerbation of symptoms, it is recommended to start taking with minimal doses, with their gradual increase.

The drug has a number of side effects on the part of the central nervous system, reproductive system (decreased libido), cardiovascular (palpitations), sensory organs (change in taste sensations).

Despite the large list of side effects and contraindications, the drug is considered one of the best, plus an affordable price (when compared with analogues based on the same active substance).

The drug is dispensed by prescription, requires strict adherence to the dosage prescribed by the doctor.

• affordable price;
• efficient.

• dispensed by prescription.

Before buying this or that drug, you should consult with your doctor. The rating is provided for informational purposes only.