Medication for Anger Management and Other Treatment Options - GoodRx (2024)

Anger can be a difficult emotion to manage. To some degree, everyone experiences stress and life events that lead to feelings of anger. But what happens when you realize your feelings of anger might be out of the ordinary, or you find yourself unable to manage your anger?

There are several different types of treatments that might help with anger, such as therapy, relaxation techniques, and counseling. Medications are another option to consider when needed, but they’re not always go-to options. You’ll need to talk with your healthcare team to figure out which course of treatment is right for you.

What are the best treatment options for anger

There are many ways to help treat or control anger. It all depends on the person, symptoms, and underlying causes.

In general, medications aren’t top treatment choices for anger, even if it feels overwhelming or frequent. Controlling and managing anger without medication is preferred when possible.

Your primary care provider can tell you about several ways to help control anger without medications. In many cases, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of these recommended tools. CBT helps you focus on your mindfulness and managing your emotions. Other coping skills — like listening to music, deep breathing exercises, and journaling — may also help promote feelings of calm.

However, medications can still help in certain situations. This is especially true if other treatments, such as those mentioned above, aren’t working well enough on their own.

What is the best anger management medication?

It depends. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), anger isn’t an official diagnosis. Because of this, no medication is approved by the FDA to be used for anger specifically.

So, when it comes to medications for explosive anger or irritability, it’s important to have a conversation with your healthcare team to figure out the cause of your anger and the best treatment option for you.

In many cases, a medication may be prescribed to treat an underlying condition that could be causing anger or irritability, including:

• Intermittent explosive disorder

• Oppositional defiant disorder

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

• Borderline personality disorder

• Bipolar disorder

• Depression

• Anxiety

In other cases, depending on your situation, your mental health professional may prescribe you a medication off-label to treat your symptoms.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best medication choices for managing anger.

Antidepressant medications for anger

Some antidepressants can help treat anger, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are commonly prescribed to treat conditions like depression and anxiety, but they’ve also been used to treat symptoms of anger or irritability.

According to research, SSRIs that help with anger include citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), among others. Sertraline seems to have the most supporting data.

Other classes of antidepressants, like serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), aren’t widely used for treating anger.

Anxiety medications for anger

In addition to antidepressants, some anxiety medications may also help treat anger.

Benzodiazepines are a group of anxiety medications that can treat anxiety and agitation in short-term situations. Sometimes, agitation may appear in the form of anger. Alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) are fast-acting benzodiazepines that can be used to help people calm down, but they shouldn’t be taken long-term for this.

Aside from SSRIs for anxiety, nonbenzodiazepine anxiety medications don’t have as much supporting data for treating anger or agitation. Benzodiazepines can also be habit-forming, and they can even cause anger and aggression in some people.

Antipsychotic medications for anger

Newer antipsychotics — also called atypical antipsychotics — may help with anger or agitation related to certain health conditions. Atypical antipsychotics are also sometimes used to treat agitation in older adults.

We’ll go through a few examples here, but this isn’t an exhaustive list.

Bipolar disorder

Antipsychotics or mood stabilizers are used to treat bipolar disorder, a condition where you have episodes of depression and mania. Many symptoms are possible during a manic episode, including anger or irritability.

Manic episodes are usually treated with a mood stabilizer like lithium, plus an antipsychotic. Antipsychotics used to treat mania include olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), and quetiapine (Seroquel). These medications are sometimes continued after the manic episode is over.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a behavioral disorder in which children show signs of aggression or severe behavioral problems, lasting for at least a year. Atypical antipsychotics, like risperidone and aripiprazole, are sometimes used to treat DMDD, though these medications can have significant side effects.

Keep in mind that other types of medications and treatments are usually used before trying antipsychotic medications.

Cannabis for anger

It’s not clear whether cannabis helps with anger. In one survey of adults with HIV, many people said they used cannabis to reduce anger. But there’s also evidence that cannabis can cause irritability and hostility in some people, especially in higher or stronger doses.

Make sure to talk with your primary care provider when considering cannabis or other THC-based products. Each of these products have risks, so they can help you weigh the pros and cons. Keep in mind that cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, even though it’s allowed in some states.

Are there medications someone with anger management issues should avoid?

While many medications may help you with anger management, some may worsen it. Make sure your healthcare team has a full list of medications you take so they can see if any medications may be contributing to your symptoms. Here are some common examples:

• Chantix (varenicline)

• Singulair (montelukast)

• Bupropion

• Keppra (levetiracetam)

• Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)

• Ritalin (methylphenidate)

• Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

In addition to medications, excessive alcohol drinking can contribute to anger or violent outbursts. Mixing certain medications with alcohol can also make things worse.

How much do anger medications cost?

The cost of anger medications varies. Fortunately, most of the medications discussed above are available as lower-cost generics. Prices vary by pharmacy and location, but this is what a 30-day supply of common medications tends to look like.

How to control anger immediately

When you’re angry, it’s good to have a few tools on hand that can help you calm down. Being able to calm down quickly can help you handle the situation as well as possible and keep you from saying or doing things you might regret.

Here are some tips that can help you control your anger in the moment:

• Try a few deep breaths. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds, then exhale. Repeat this a few times to help your body calm down. Deep breathing can help to clear your head, and also helps you move away from “fight or flight” mode.

• Relax your muscles. Start at your head, and travel to your feet — relaxing your muscles as much as possible along the way. This can help you physically let go of anger and tension in your body.

• Count to 10. Before you act, give yourself time to count slowly to 10. Taking a pause can give you more control over how you react to your feelings of anger.

• Take a break. If possible, step away from the situation for a moment. Go to another room, or excuse yourself to use the bathroom. This can give you some personal time to collect yourself.

• Move your body. A short burst of exercise can help your anger go away. Consider taking a quick walk, or doing some jumping jacks or push-ups.

• Use visualization. Take a few minutes to close your eyes, and imagine yourself in a peaceful and happy place.

• Use humor. A joke can go a long way when you’re feeling angry. Try to find some humor in the situation, or give yourself a few minutes to look at funny pictures or memes online.

• Be kind to yourself. Try to use positive self-talk when you’re angry. Remember that everyone gets angry from time to time, and this feeling will pass. You can’t control your feelings, but you can control your actions.

Remember, it’s important to find strategies that are a good fit for you. Try a few until you find which options work the best. If you’re working with a therapist, they can also help you learn strategies for managing anger immediately.