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).
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: September 13, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Malin K. Clark, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry | |
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