What medicines are recommended for anxiety?

If you have anxiety when you are pregnant or after you have had your baby, antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first medicines to try. They can also help if you have depression as well as anxiety.

If you have moderate or severe anxiety, taking benzodiazepines for a short time can be considered. They can reduce your symptoms while you are waiting for your antidepressant to take effect.

Caution is needed with medications that may be prescribed for symptoms of severe anxiety or severe insomnia, when either is significantly affecting your daily life, for example:

• benzodiazepines, which includes diazepam (valium) 
• hypnotics (also known as 'z-drugs'), which includes zopiclone.

These medications can affect your developing baby and cause withdrawal symptoms and sleepiness in your baby if you are breastfeeding.

If possible, you should not take pregabalin while you are pregnant or breastfeeding because there is a risk it may cause harm to your developing baby.

If you already take pregabalin, you should discuss the best options for you and your baby with your doctor, as it may be safer for some people to keep taking pregabalin rather than stopping.

If you are taking pregabalin after having a baby, you should use contraception.