Key takeaways:
Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions that can cause a variety of symptoms. Medications are one option for treating anxiety disorders.
Common anxiety medications include benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Brand and generic anxiety medication names can be confusing to remember. Double check with your prescriber or pharmacist if you’re unsure whether a medication is being prescribed to treat anxiety symptoms.
Save on related medications
Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults. Many people take medications to help manage this condition.
There are several different types of anxiety medications. Some anti-anxiety medications can work quickly to help relieve sudden symptoms. Others are meant to be taken daily to help manage anxiety long-term. All of that information can be confusing when trying to understand your options for treating anxiety.
Let’s take a look at the most common anxiety medication names available.
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Common anxiety medication names and classes
There are many different classes of anxiety medications. Each class has unique characteristics that help manage anxiety symptoms and improve quality of life. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of anxiety medications grouped by class.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines relieve anxiety symptoms by attaching to certain binding sites in the body that create a calming sensation. They can work very quickly. Benzodiazepines are typically recommended as short-term treatments or to be used only when needed. For example, you may take a dose during a panic attack.
One important note about benzodiazepines is their risk for dependence and misuse. Because of this, they’re considered controlled substances. This means there are strict rules regarding how they’re prescribed and dispensed.
Some of the most common anxiety medication names in this class include:
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax) is an antihistamine. It’s not clear how exactly it works for anxiety. But researchers believe it helps regulate serotonin levels in the brain. Hydroxyzine’s serotonin effects make it unique from other antihistamines, which are primarily used for allergies.
Most people take hydroxyzine as needed for sudden symptoms, such as during a panic attack. It can also be helpful to take while you’re waiting for preventative medications to start working. Hydroxyzine isn’t a first-choice anxiety medication. But it could be an alternative to benzodiazepines if you can’t tolerate them or they aren’t appropriate for you.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by raising levels of a chemical called serotonin in the brain. Serotonin helps regulate mood and feelings of anxiety. By raising serotonin levels, SSRIs can help relieve anxiety symptoms.
SSRIs are considered first-choice options for treating anxiety. They’re medications that you take every day (not just when needed). And they can take several weeks to start working. So don’t get discouraged if you start an SSRI and don’t feel any improvement right away.
Here’s a list of SSRIs that are FDA approved for different types of anxiety disorders:
Escitalopram (Lexapro), approved for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Paroxetine (Paxil), approved for GAD, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and panic disorder (PD)
Fluoxetine (Prozac), approved for PD
Sertraline (Zoloft), approved for SAD and PD
Citalopram (Celexa) is another SSRI that healthcare professionals may prescribe for anxiety. But this is an off-label use of the medication, as it’s not approved for treating anxiety.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) is another first-choice class of medication for anxiety. They’re medications that you take daily to help manage symptoms over time.
Similar to SSRIs, they work by raising levels of serotonin in the brain. But they also raise levels of another chemical messenger called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine helps boost your energy levels and focus. So SNRIs can help stabilize your mood and make you feel more energized.
Here’s a list of SNRIs that are prescribed for anxiety:
Venlafaxine extended-release (Effexor XR), approved for GAD, SAD, and PD
Duloxetine (Cymbalta), approved for GAD
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), prescribed off label for people who have anxiety and depression
Buspirone
Buspirone belongs to the azapirone class of medications. The way buspirone works for anxiety isn’t fully understood. But it’s thought to activate certain areas of the brain where serotonin attaches. This may help balance serotonin activity.
Buspirone is a medication you take daily to help manage symptoms long term. It isn’t a first-choice anxiety medication. But it may be a good choice for people who can’t tolerate SSRIs or SNRIs.
What is the best anxiety medication — generic or brand name?
Finding the best anxiety meds for you may require some trial-and-error. And, you may want to take medication costs into consideration.
Generic anxiety medications are typically less expensive than brand names. But it’s not uncommon to wonder whether there will be a difference in effect between brand-name and generic medications.
In regard to effectiveness, the FDA requires generic manufacturers to prove their products can be substituted for brand-name medications and offer the same benefits. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients and are equal to brand names in terms of quality, dosage, and effectiveness. But they may be a different shape, color, or size.
Pharmacies typically dispense generic medications if they’re available, unless a prescriber has specifically asked them not to. So chances are when you pick up your anxiety medication, you’ll receive the generic version.
Concerns about the cost of a medication are an important part of any conversation you may have with your prescriber. The last thing your prescriber wants is for the cost of a medication to prevent you from being able to take it. If your anxiety medication is too expensive, talk to them to see if a cheaper alternative is available.
How to save on anxiety medications
To help remember all these anxiety medication names, here’s a quick reference chart with the medication’s generic name and common brand name. We’ve also included the medication’s average retail cost and how much you might save by using a GoodRx coupon.
Keep in mind that if your medication is a controlled substance, your pharmacy may not accept discounts for it.
Generic name | Brand name | Average retail cost | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|---|
Alprazolam (30 tablets, 0.5 mg each) | Xanax | About $18.65 | As low as $10.40 |
Clonazepam (30 tablets, 0.5 mg each) | Klonopin | About $22.64 | As low as $9.00 |
Buspirone (30 tablets, 10 mg each) | Buspar (brand name discontinued) | About $11.57 | As low as $5.27 |
Desvenlafaxine (30 tablets, 50 mg each) | Pristiq | About $148.03 | As low as $19.80 |
Diazepam (30 tablets, 5 mg each) | Valium | About $19.52 | As low as $12.15 |
Duloxetine (30 capsules, 60 mg each) | Cymbalta | About $96.32 | As low as $10.20 |
Escitalopram (30 tablets, 10 mg each) | Lexapro | About $47.43 | As low as $9.60 |
Fluoxetine (30 capsules, 20 mg each) | Prozac | About $20.21 | As low as $3.00 |
Hydroxyzine pamoate (30 capsules, 25 mg each) | Vistaril | About $12.55 | As low as $9.90 |
Lorazepam (30 tablets, 0.5 mg each) | Ativan | About $24.37 | As low as $12.34 |
Paroxetine (30 tablets, 20 mg each) | Paxil | About $23.21 | As low as $4.00 |
Sertraline (30 tablets, 50 mg each) | Zoloft | About $31.91 | As low as $9.60 |
Venlafaxine extended-release (30 capsules, 150 mg each) | Effexor XR | About $60.91 | As low as $12.75 |
Frequently asked questions
The top medications for anxiety are always changing. But according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in 2023 the ten most prescribed medications that can be taken for anxiety were:
1. Sertraline
2. Escitalopram
3. Fluoxetine
4. Duloxetine
5. Alprazolam
6. Hydroxyzine
7. Buspirone
8. Venlafaxine
9. Clonazepam
10. Paroxetine
Keep in mind that many of these medications have multiple uses. So everyone who takes them may not be taking them for anxiety.
A medication that calms you down is known as a depressant. Some depressants, such as benzodiazepines, are approved to treat anxiety. Others, such as opioids, are approved for pain. But they cause depressant side effects, such as drowsiness.
There is no single “best” anxiety medicine for everyone. What works well for you may not work for your friend. But in general, SSRIs and SNRIs are among the most effective for anxiety and are well tolerated by many people.
The top medications for anxiety are always changing. But according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in 2023 the ten most prescribed medications that can be taken for anxiety were:
1. Sertraline
2. Escitalopram
3. Fluoxetine
4. Duloxetine
5. Alprazolam
6. Hydroxyzine
7. Buspirone
8. Venlafaxine
9. Clonazepam
10. Paroxetine
Keep in mind that many of these medications have multiple uses. So everyone who takes them may not be taking them for anxiety.
A medication that calms you down is known as a depressant. Some depressants, such as benzodiazepines, are approved to treat anxiety. Others, such as opioids, are approved for pain. But they cause depressant side effects, such as drowsiness.
There is no single “best” anxiety medicine for everyone. What works well for you may not work for your friend. But in general, SSRIs and SNRIs are among the most effective for anxiety and are well tolerated by many people.
The bottom line
There are many anxiety medications available. First-choice options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Benzodiazepines are also commonly prescribed for short periods of time or as needed. Sometimes, brand and generic anxiety medication names can be confusing. Talk with your prescriber or pharmacist to learn more about the anxiety medication you take.
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References
ClinCalc. (2025). The top 200 drugs of 2023.
Degeorge, K., C., et al. (2022). Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults. American Family Physician.
Endocrine Society. (2022). Adrenal hormones.
Maity, N., et al. (2014). Clinical effectiveness and safety of escitalopram and desvenlafaxine in patients of depression with anxiety: A randomized, open-label controlled trial. Indian Journal of Pharmacology.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2017). Anxiety disorders.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Overview & basics.
United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Depressants.
Wilson, T. K., et al. (2022). Buspirone. StatPearls.
