MEDICATIONS FOR
PUBLIC SPEAKING
AND SOCIAL
ANXIETY
ANXIETYHUB.ORG | DR. CHERYL MATHEWS
+ stage fright or performance anxiety

1. Beta Blocker
Why people use it?
 Reduces adrenaline; rapid heart
rate and breathing
 When you have high levels of
anxiety, your brain interprets
your anxiety symptoms as
dangerous. This causes more
anxiety which increases the
symptoms. It’s a self-
perpetuating cycle
 A beta blocker can “put a
monkey wrench” in the cycle by
reducing the symptoms
 Make sure to combine with new
self-talk. Your self-talk can
overpower the effect of the beta
blocker
CAN REDUCE SELF-PERPETUATING
CYCLE OF FEAR

1. Beta Blocker
Pros
 Take as needed
 Take 30-minutes before your
speaking event
 Non-habit forming
Cons
 Reduces blood pressure. If you
have low blood pressure, it can
make you feel dizzy
Brand Name Generic Name
 Inderal
 Tenormin
 Propanolol
 Atenolol

2. Benzodiazepine
Why people use it?
 Works a bit like a glass of wine.
Relaxes your muscles
 Increases GABA in the brain

2. Benzodiazepine
Pros
 Take as needed
 Take 30-minutes before your
speaking event
 Can be taken with a beta blocker
Cons
 Addictive. Need higher and
higher doses to have the same
effect
 Do not use with alcohol - can be
life-threatening.
 Causes drowsiness and possible
slurring of speech
Brand Name Generic Name
 Klonopin
 Xanax
 Valium
 Ativan
 Centrax
 Dalmane
 Halcion
 Librium
 Paxipam
 Restoril
 Serax
 Tranxene
 Clonazepam
 Alprazolam
 Diazepam
 Lorazepam
 Prazepam
 Flurazepam
 Triazolam
 Chlordiazepoxide
 Halazepam
 Temazepam
 Oxazepam
 Clorazepate

3. SSRI
Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors
Why people use it?
 Increases Serotonin in the brain
and can reduce anxiety

3. SSRIs
Pros
 Can reduce social anxiety. Stage
fright is a type of social anxiety.
Cons
• Can have major side-effects
• Relapse is likely when you get
off medication - unless
combined with cognitive-
behavioral therapy
Brand Name Generic Name
 Paxil*
 Zoloft*
 Effexor*
 Celexa
 Luvox
 Prozac
*FDA approved for social anxiety
 Paroxetine
 Sertraline
 Venlafaxine
 Citalopram
 Fluvoxamine
 Fluoxetine

Authoritative Medication Websites
• National Institute of Health (NIH) Medline Plus
• Mayo Clinic
• Harvard
• WebMD
• Drugs.com

Learn More
Ask Dr. Mathews questions at
www.anxietyhub.com/unlimited-texting.