Medicines that can cause anxiety

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Medicines that can cause anxiety

Many medicines can cause anxiety or make anxiety worse. Discuss your medicines with your doctor if you think that a medicine may be adding to your anxiety.

Prescription medicines that may cause anxiety include:

• Asthma medicines, such as albuterol, salmeterol, and theophylline.
• Blood pressure medicines, including clonidine and methyldopa.
• Hormones, such as oral contraceptives.
• Medicines that contain amphetamines, such as Benzedrine, Dexedrine, and Ritalin.
• Steroids, such as cortisone, Hexadrol, and prednisone.
• Thyroid medicines.
• Other medicines, such as phenytoin, levodopa, quinidine, and some antidepressants.

Nonprescription medicines that may cause anxiety include:

• Medicines that contain caffeine, such as Anacin, Empirin, Excedrin, No-Doz, and cough medicines.
• Decongestants, such as phenylephrine, including Sudafed PE.
• Illegal drugs, such as cocaine, crack, or speed (amphetamines).

Credits

Last updated:	September 13, 2006
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Malin K. Clark, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer