"Anxiety tablets" is a broad term covering several different types of medicine. The right option depends on whether anxiety is ongoing, situational, or part of another condition. This guide outlines what's available in the UK and when each is appropriate.
1. First-line: talking therapies
NICE recommends CBT and structured talking therapies before any medication for ongoing anxiety. NHS Talking Therapies are free and self-referral is available across England.
2. SSRIs and SNRIs (long-term treatment)
For generalised anxiety disorder, NICE first-line medications are SSRIs such as sertraline or escitalopram, or SNRIs like duloxetine. They take 4–6 weeks to work and are usually prescribed by your GP.
3. Beta-blockers (situational symptoms)
Propranolol is commonly prescribed in the UK for the physical symptoms of situational anxiety — racing heart, tremor, sweating — for example before public speaking. It does not treat the psychological component.
4. Sedating antihistamines (very short-term)
Pharmacy-only options like Phenergan (promethazine) can provide brief sedation for occasional acute symptoms. They are not a long-term treatment for anxiety.
5. Benzodiazepines (severe short-term anxiety only)
Diazepam 2 mg or 5 mg is occasionally prescribed for severe, disabling, short-term anxiety — for no more than 2–4 weeks because of dependence risk. Alprazolam (Xanax) is not licensed in the UK and is not supplied by reputable UK pharmacies.
How to access anxiety treatment safely in the UK
- Complete an online stress & anxiety assessment.
- Verify your identity and GP details.
- A UK-registered prescriber reviews your case and decides on the safest option — or signposts NHS care where more appropriate.
- Approved medicines are dispensed by our registered pharmacy in plain, tracked packaging.