Beta-blockers (propranolol)Officially used to treat: High blood pressure, heart failureOff-label use: Relieving performance anxietyWhy they work: Because these drugs affect the neurohormone norepinephrine, which sets off the fight-or-flight response, they can reduce physical symptoms of nervousness, such as rapid heartbeat, shaking hands, and sweating. [sidebar] Tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, desipramine)Officially used to treat: Depression, anxietyOff-label use: Helping neuropathic pain, reducing insomniaWhy they work: Their sedative effect makes these drugs useful for treating insomnia. “Tricyclics lessen our response to pain by modulating neurochemicals like norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, which are closely involved in our response to painful stimuli,” Dr. Reinhold says. Anticonvulsants (valproate, topiramate)Officially used to treat: SeizuresOff-label use: Stabilizing mood, easing migrainesWhy they work: Antiseizure drugs prevent migraine pain, according to clinical studies. While researchers aren’t sure why the drugs help balance mood and ease pain, Dr. Reinhold says it may be due to their ability to stabilize neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. More from Prevention: 11 Ways to Relieve Pain—Naturally
