What Over the Counter Medications Affect Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension, a sense of feeling unwell, or fearfulness. In anxiety disorders, these types of feelings may cause physical symptoms and impair one's ability to function fully in daily life. Anxiety affects 40 million American adults each year. Certain medications can bring on anxiety symptoms, whether the person taking them has anxiety disorders or not.
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Diet Pills
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Most over the counter diet pills contain ingredients (caffeine or other stimulants) which will worsen anxiety symptoms, or can cause them in someone not suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Antihistamines
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Most antihistamines can cause anxiety symptoms, whether they are non-drowsy or not. Many multi-symptom cold medications will contain an antihistamine, so watching labels is important.
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Decongestants
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Decongestants may cause anxiety symptoms, or worsen them in a person with chronic anxiety, and may be found in a variety of cold or sinus medications, including nasal sprays.
Asthma Medications
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Over the counter asthma inhalers and medications can make a person feel jittery or anxious, and should be avoided if anxiety is an issue.
Medications Containing Caffeine
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Any over the counter drug containing caffeine can agitate anxiety symptoms, including some PMS products for women, or diet and energy pills.
Other Substances
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Other substances to avoid include nicotine, alcohol and products meant to promote higher energy.
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