Second Opinion Please!

[ntilyou]

(Background)
My MD prescribed me Prozac to treat what she called "generalized anxiety". After researching this medication, I have found that it is mainly used to treat depression. I also see that one of the most common side effects of this drug is anxiety or nervousness. This is a conern for me. I also took Prozac about 2 years ago for 3 weeks (I threw it away)and hated it because I had "ZERO" sexual gratification. Now I am terrified to take it again. I have shared this with my Dr. but she still thinks I need to try Prozac.
(My questions)
1. Does Prozac actually treat anxiety?
2. Should I get a second opinion?
3. What about Centrex or Xanax for treating anxiety?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Almost all of the ssri's have been approved for treating anxiety as well as depression, and you are right, the problem is that some of them increase agitation, which then stimulates an anxiety reaction.  There are other medications for anxiety, including Xanax, but we do not usually use Xanax for long term treatment of anxiety, but instead medications like Klonopin and Buspar are frequently used.

[StupidMe]

Prozac and other antidepressants are the drugs of choice for anxiety. Unfortunately they take a number of weeks to work. Centrex and Xanax are Benzothiazipines can also relieve anxiety and do that very quickly. However, Benzo has a serious disadvantage that they are classified as dangerous because they are drug of abuse and habit-forming. That is the reason why your doctor gave you the most widely used antidepressant-Prozac.
If you have sexual side effect from Prozac, you can try an antidepressant of different class, say Wellbutrin.
If the condition warrants immediate relief of anxiety, Benzo can do that until antidepressant takes effect. Then the antidepressant calms one down until psychotherapy becomes effective. However, there is always a shortage of psychotherapists and they are expansive.
Actually, if Benzo are not addictive and one accepts being labeled having anxiety disorder and oneself a legitimate user of Benzo, it is the safest anti-anxiety drug, because different antidepressants have different side actions and their lethal dose is much less than Benzo.  

[ntilyou]

Thank you so much for such fast and wonderful advise. This makes me feel better about my MD. and also has helped educate me for other options I can bring to her. This was definitely priceless. I wish all of you well!