Over the years many drugs have been used in these anti depressants some forms causing long term dependency combined with unpleasant side effects. One of the first drugs formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration was paroxetine which was sold under the trade name as Paxil, but the results later studies into the efficiency of this drug and the sometimes dangerous side effects lead to much debate. Fluoxetine has been developed and a study completed in 2004 showed marked improvement in over 55% of patients studied. There are often side effects to SSRIs that are felt while the body adjusts to these drugs and are experienced during the first few weeks of taking the medication. These are likely to include headaches, insomnia, nausea and often changes to sexual behavior. It is still unclear how safe these drugs are to take during pregnancy. Also in the later part of 2004 it was thought there may be a link between SSRIs and juvenile suicide which lead to the Food and Drug Administration issuing a statement warning doctors and parents on this potential danger. Although, given the nature of social anxiety disorders, persons taking SSRIs are unlike to have suicidal tendencies at all.

Other forms of social anxiety disorder medications include other forms of antidepressants called monoamine oxiddase inhibitors (MAOIs) which have been found in some case to be a superior form of medication to SSRIs but due to dietary restrictions required whilst taking this medication, high toxicity in overdose and the fact that it is incompatible with many other drugs its use is severely limited. As an alternative to SSRIs, Benzodiazepines are a short acting, more potent drug which is often used for short term relief. The long term use of this medication has raised concerns regarding development of drug tolerance and recreational abuse being common. Medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure called beta-blockers, taken in low doses have been found to be helpful for short term use as well and taken before a function or social gathering this drug can mask anxiety symptoms.