Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder/agoraphobia (PDA), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), etc, are the most prevalent mental disorders. The present study provides recommendations for the psychopharmacological treatment of these disorders based on comprehensive treatment guidelines, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews of available randomized controlled studies. 

It advocates treating anxiety disorders effectively with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the first-line drugs. Benzodiazepines, however, are not recommended for routine use because of their possible addiction potential. Other treatment options are the calcium modulator pregabalin, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, moclobemide, etc. Drug treatment can be combined with psychological therapies. 

Novel treatment strategies must include medications that act on GABA, glutamate, and other neurotransmitter systems. After remission, its advisable to continue medications for 6 to 12 months.

Bandelow B. Current and Novel Psychopharmacological Drugs for Anxiety Disorders. In: Kim, YK. (eds) Anxiety Disorders. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2020;1191. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_19