Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of PhobiasAntidepressantsMOAIsBenzodiazepinesBeta-BlockersOther Phobia MedicationsDiscontinuing Phobia MedicationInteractions and Warnings

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types of Phobias

Antidepressants

MOAIs

Benzodiazepines

Beta-Blockers

Other Phobia Medications

Discontinuing Phobia Medication

Interactions and Warnings

Aphobiainvolves an intense and irrational fear of an object or situation.While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often the first-line treatment for these conditions, phobia medication is sometimes used in addition to therapy.

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of phobia medication that may be prescribed to treat these conditions.

What You Should Know About Phobia Medication

Phobia Conditions That Can Be Treated With Medication

Medication is more common for treating social phobia and agoraphobia than for specific phobia.

All phobias are a form ofanxiety disorder, so most medications address that issue. However, these medications may also be prescribed to address co-occurring symptoms of depression or other mental health conditions.

Antidepressants (SSRIs) for Social Phobia

Examples of some of the SSRIs a physician may prescribe for social anxiety disorder include:

Possible side effects of SSRIs include:HeadachesNauseaSleep problemsInsomniaSexual side effectsDrowsinessLess common adverse effects may include serotonin syndrome, extrapyramidal symptoms, and QT prolongation. You should alert your doctor if you begin to experience concerning side effects while taking SSRIs.

Possible side effects of SSRIs include:

Less common adverse effects may include serotonin syndrome, extrapyramidal symptoms, and QT prolongation. You should alert your doctor if you begin to experience concerning side effects while taking SSRIs.

MAOIs for Social Phobia

Physicians may prescribe monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), often considered a second tier treatment for social phobia.They inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

Commonly prescribed MAOIs include:

Possible side effects of MAOIs include:

Do not take an MAOI within 14 days of taking another antidepressant, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, or tricyclics. Combining these medications can lead toserotonin syndrome.

How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome

Benzodiazepines for Social Phobia

Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include:

Side effects of low doses include:

Benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence. This risk is higher if these medications are taken at high doses for long periods.People can also experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking these medications suddenly, which can be potentially dangerous. Never stop taking benzodiazepines without talking to your doctor first. Slowly tapering your dose can minimize the risk of withdrawal complications.

Benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence. This risk is higher if these medications are taken at high doses for long periods.

People can also experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking these medications suddenly, which can be potentially dangerous. Never stop taking benzodiazepines without talking to your doctor first. Slowly tapering your dose can minimize the risk of withdrawal complications.

Beta-Blockers for Short-term Relief

Some beta-blockers provide short-term phobia relief because they slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. This can be helpful if you need to face an anxiety-provoking situation when you havesocial phobia, such as needing to give a speech for work.

Possible side effects of beta-blockers include:

Beta-blockers also lower heart rate and blood pressure. You should not take these medications if you have certain types of heart arrhythmias, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, hypoglycemia, or moderate to severe asthma.

Other medications that have been studied for the treatment of social phobia include:

You must seek the advice of your physician if you want to decrease your dosage or stop taking your phobia medication. Drugs for social anxiety disorder can have unexpected emotional and physical side effects if you don’t go off them gradually.

There are various reasons why people might choose to stop taking medication. Phobia medications, like other medications, can be expensive. In addition, some people do not like how certain drugs make them feel.

To maintain your health and safety let your physician know of any other prescription or over-the-counter medications that you take, as well as any health supplements. If you have multiple doctors, keep each one up to date.

Some phobia medications may interact with other medicines, supplements, or substances you are taking. This can sometimes contribute to unpleasant or potentially dangerous side effects. It can also impact how well your medications work.

Be sure to read all medication inserts and always contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Phobia Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowEdinoff AN, Akuly HA, Hanna TA, et al.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and adverse effects: A narrative review.Neurol Int. 2021;13(3):387-401. doi:10.3390/neurolint13030038Alomari NA, Bedaiwi SK, Ghasib AM, et al.Social anxiety disorder: Associated conditions and therapeutic approaches.Cureus. 2022;14(12):e32687. doi:10.7759/cureus.32687Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowEdinoff AN, Akuly HA, Hanna TA, et al.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and adverse effects: A narrative review.Neurol Int. 2021;13(3):387-401. doi:10.3390/neurolint13030038Alomari NA, Bedaiwi SK, Ghasib AM, et al.Social anxiety disorder: Associated conditions and therapeutic approaches.Cureus. 2022;14(12):e32687. doi:10.7759/cureus.32687Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowEdinoff AN, Akuly HA, Hanna TA, et al.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and adverse effects: A narrative review.Neurol Int. 2021;13(3):387-401. doi:10.3390/neurolint13030038Alomari NA, Bedaiwi SK, Ghasib AM, et al.Social anxiety disorder: Associated conditions and therapeutic approaches.Cureus. 2022;14(12):e32687. doi:10.7759/cureus.32687Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.

Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584

Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelow

Edinoff AN, Akuly HA, Hanna TA, et al.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and adverse effects: A narrative review.Neurol Int. 2021;13(3):387-401. doi:10.3390/neurolint13030038

Alomari NA, Bedaiwi SK, Ghasib AM, et al.Social anxiety disorder: Associated conditions and therapeutic approaches.Cureus. 2022;14(12):e32687. doi:10.7759/cureus.32687

Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3

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