Integrative Health Consultant and Educator
Integrative Health Consultant and Educator

Medications that Help Symptoms

Paxil was the first SSRI approved for generalized social anxiety. It may be more effective than the other SSRI’s, (Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft). The CR formula of Paxil is better tolerated than regular Paxil. Effexor XR and Zoloft were recently approved by the FDA for SAD also. The SSRI’s and Effexor XR probably work mostly by down regulating the brain transmitter Serotonin.
Clonazepam is the most beneficial of the benzodiazepines, probably because it has some effect on Serotonin.
Neurontin has shown beneficial effects for SAD also.
Inderal (Propranolol) is effective for heart racing and tremor in situational SAD.
Cardura has shown to be effective for excessive sweating.
The most potent medications for SAD are the MAO inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate). Unfortunately, they require diet restrictions and have significant side effects.