Anti-anxiety drugs are medicines that calm and relax people with excessive anxiety, nervousness, or tension, or for short term control of social phobia disorder or specific phobia disorder. Anxiety treatment in psychiatric treatment has, in recent times, turned from the predominant use of anti-anxiety agents, or anxiolytics, to a reliance on anti-depressant medications. In current use, the benzodiazepines, the best known class of anxiolytics, have been largely supplanted by serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and others) which have a milder side effect profile and less risk of dependency. However, anxiolytics exhibit a much faster response in the body and are, therefore, useful for patients who require a rapid onset of action. While SSRIs may require three to five weeks to show any effects, and must be taken continuously, benzodiazepines may produce a response within 30 minutes, and may be dosed on an as-needed basis.

For mild anxiety and social phobia the intermediate action benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan) are the appropriate choice for treatment. Benzodiazepines are controlled drugs under federal law. Benzodiazepines should be administered 30 to 60 minutes before exposure to the anticipated stress. Dosage should be individualized to minimize sedation. The normal dose of alprazolam is 0.25-0.5 mg. The usual dose of lorazepam is 2-3 mg. Doses may be repeated if necessary.