24
Table 10. Medications for Anxiety-Related Symptoms
a
Medication
Class/
mechanism Considerations for use
Other
population
considerations
Acute anxiety
Clonidine
b
Central
alpha-2 agonist
Monitor blood pressure; avoid
in hypotension
If used as a scheduled
medication, taper to discontinue
Gabapentin
b
Gamma-
aminobutyric
acid (GABA)
analogue
Risk for misuse
Risk associated with combining
with other medications,
particularly opioids
Avoid in patients
with history
of sedative use
disorder
Hydroxyzine
c
Antihistamine Avoid in patients with history of
QTc prolongation
Avoid in older
adults
Propranolol
b
Beta-blocker Contraindicated in bradycardia,
greater than first-degree block;
avoid in uncontrolled bronchial
asthma
May be scheduled or dosed as
needed for situational anxiety
NOTE: In general, the primary strategy for managing BZD related
withdrawal symptoms is pausing or slowing the taper. Adjunctive
medications may be appropriate when these strategies are insufficient to
address the BZD withdrawal symptoms.
