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Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) involves persistent, difficult-to-control worry across several parts of life. Unlike a short period of stress, it continues for months, disrupts daily functioning and often comes with muscle tension, fatigue, poor sleep or difficulty concentrating.

Lexapro

Escitalopram

5 · 10 · 20mg

Lexapro is escitalopram in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg film-coated tablets for major depression, generalised anxiety and panic disorder. An SSRI.

From$0.51/ tabletView

Paxil

Paroxetine

10 · 20 · 30 · 40mg

Paroxetine tablets from 10mg to 40mg, used in the management of major depression, generalised anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. An SSRI.

From$0.65/ tabletView

Cymbalta

Duloxetine

20 · 30 · 40 · 60mg

Duloxetine prolonged-release capsules from 20mg to 60mg, used in the management of depression, generalised anxiety and diabetic neuropathic pain. An SNRI.

From$0.82/ tabletView

Effexor

Venlafaxine

37.5 · 75mg

Venlafaxine 37.5mg and 75mg, as tablets and prolonged-release capsules, used in the management of major depression and generalised anxiety disorder.

From$0.65/ tabletView

Venlor

Venlafaxine

75mg

Venlor is venlafaxine 75mg tablets for major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder, an SNRI acting on serotonin and noradrenaline.

From$1.00/ tabletView

Effexor XR

Venlafaxine

75 · 150mg

Effexor XR is venlafaxine 75mg and 150mg in a prolonged-release capsule for major depression and generalised anxiety disorder. An SNRI taken once a day.

From$0.97/ tabletView

Buspar

Buspirone

5 · 10mg

Buspirone 5mg and 10mg tablets, used in the management of generalised anxiety disorder. A 5-HT1A receptor agonist rather than a benzodiazepine.

From$0.43/ tabletView

Key points

  • GAD involves persistent worry across several areas of life, not only brief anxiety around one event.
  • Psychological therapy and practical changes are core treatments; medicines can help when symptoms are more persistent or impairing.
  • Benefits build gradually, and early adverse effects or withdrawal risk need discussion before starting or stopping medicine.

An anxiety-medicine listing cannot confirm GAD or exclude physical causes; symptom duration, impairment, other conditions and current medicines guide care.

How is GAD distinguished from everyday stress?

Worry is difficult to control, occurs on many days and disrupts sleep, concentration, work or relationships. Restlessness, muscle tension, fatigue and stomach symptoms can accompany it. Assessment also considers depression, substance use, thyroid disease and medicine effects.

What roles do therapy and medicine have?

Cognitive behavioural therapy helps identify and change worry patterns. SSRIs or SNRIs in the antidepressants group, including escitalopram, venlafaxine and duloxetine, may be considered. Buspirone is another option in selected cases. Choice depends on other symptoms, interactions and adverse-effect risks.

When to seek urgent care

Seek immediate help for thoughts of suicide or self-harm, inability to stay safe, severe agitation or confusion. New chest pressure, fainting or major breathing difficulty should be assessed urgently rather than assumed to be anxiety.

Further reading

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