The Shyness & Social Anxiety Workbook
96UÊSide effect proﬁle of the medication . For instance, if you’re already strug -
gling with your weight, you might want to choose a medication for which 
weight gain is not a likely side effect.
UÊPrevious response to medications . If you or a family member has previously 
responded to a particular medication, that drug might be a good option 
for you to try now. On the other hand, if there is a drug that didn’t work 
for you in the past (despite a long enough trial at an adequate dosage), this 
might be a time to try something new.
UÊAdditional psychological disorders that are present . For example, if you 
are experiencing depression, it might make more sense to try an antidepres -
sant than an anti-anxiety drug. The antidepressant would likely lead to an 
improvement in both problems.
UÊCost . Older medications tend to be less expensive than newer medications, 
often because older drugs are available in generic forms.
UÊInteractions with other medications and herbal remedies.  If you are already 
taking certain medications or herbal products, you should choose a drug 
that will not interact with the products you are already taking.
UÊInteractions with certain foods . Medications such as phenelzine can be dan -
gerous if taken with certain foods (those containing tyramine, such as aged 
cheese and draft beer). Other medications may also interact with foods. 
For example, grapefruit juice appears to decrease the metabolism of certain 
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as sertraline and ﬂuvoxamine), 
increasing the likelihood that they will accumulate in the body.