| SSRIs are Selective Serotonin Reuptake | | | | life-threatening. That is why it is always |
| Inhibitors. They are antidepressants, meaning | | | | important to work closely with a doctor when |
| they are very often prescribed for depression. | | | | trying these types of medications. And, women |
| But, certain ones can also be an effective panic | | | | who are pregnant should not take these |
| attack medication. | | | | medications because of the risk to the fetus. |
| Popular SSRIs include Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft. | | | | Overall, SSRIs are popular medications because |
| These have shown to be quite effective in the | | | | they can help control the number, severity and |
| treatment of the attacks, especially when | | | | anxiety associated with these attacks. |
| combined with therapy. | | | | SSRIs need to be taken daily, and most people |
| SSRIs affect neurotransmitters, which are used | | | | should start to see improvements within a few |
| by brain nerves to send out messages to one | | | | weeks of starting on them. If they do not see |
| another. Ultimately, SSRIs help make more | | | | any improvement by then, they should check |
| serotonin available for other nerves. | | | | with their doctor to see if they need a higher |
| Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) were frequently | | | | dose. Some people may need to stay on SSRIs |
| used as treatments for panic disorders before | | | | for a while, but others may be able to work with |
| SSRIs. But, the SSRIs have been proven to be | | | | their doctor to wean off of the medication after |
| safer and easier to tolerate than the TCAs – | | | | a year. |
| so TCAs are not prescribed as much today. | | | | Overall, the closer an attack sufferer works with |
| But, of course, SSRIs have their own possible | | | | their doctor when taking SSRIs, the better |
| side effects to deal with. These side effects can | | | | chance they have of controlling their panic |
| range between minor and possibly even | | | | attacks. |