Drug Effectiveness and Tolerability in Anxiety Disorders: A Review

Abstract— Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions, significantly impairing quality of life and functioning, with their rising prevalence posing a major challenge to healthcare systems. This review summarizes current evidence-based pharmacological strategies, focusing on the efficacy and tolerability of the most widely used agents, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), pregabalin, benzodiazepines, buspirone, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Meta-analyses indicate SSRIs and SNRIs as first-line therapies across anxiety disorders, while pregabalin demonstrates favourable outcomes in generalized anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines, though effective for rapid symptom relief in panic disorder, remain limited by their dependence potential. Effective management requires an individualized approach that integrates pharmacotherapy with psychotherapy, balancing drug efficacy, safety, and patient preferences to optimize long-term outcomes.