About Xanax | Aprazolam Intensol
Xanax (alprazolam) is an anti-panic and anti-anxiety medication.
Xanax is in the group of drugs known as benzodiazepines, a class
of antidepressants, anti-panic agents, and muscle relaxants. Xanax
is only available by prescription.
Xanax is usually used as a short term treatment for major
anxiety and certain phobias, but is not considered necessary
to relieve everyday stress or anxiety.
Store Xanax away from light and heat, use regularly for best
results.
Xanax Side Effects
Xanax side effects are usually temporary, and fade with continued
treatment. Higher dosage also increases the risk of side effects.
Operating automobiles or heavy machinery is not recommended while
taking Xanax. Be aware of how this medication affects you before
attempting any potentially dangerous activities.
Common Xanax side effects: drowsiness, fatigue, light-headedness,
or speech problems.
Less common Xanax side effects: abdominal cramps, constipation,
dry mouth, hyperventilation, blurred vision, nausea, chest pain,
change in sex drive, confusion, headache, change in appetite, insomnia,
unusual dreams, change in salivation, low blood pressure, racing
heartbeat, fainting, nasal congestion, difficulty urinating, sweating,
weight change, skin irritation, twitching or tremors, nervous or
anxious state, sun sensitivity, respiratory infection, memory impairment,
menstrual difficulties, and loss of coordination. Speak to your
doctor about any of these effects; your dosage may need to be adjusted
or treatment discontinued.
Rare Xanax side effects: difficulty concentrating, slurred
or unusual speech, double vision, fear, altered sense of taste,
lack of inhibition, muscle cramps or spasms, urination problems,
tingling, incontinence, warmth, weakness, change in muscle tone,
or yellow eyes and skin. Speak to your doctor if you experience
any of these effects; your treatment may need to be discontinued.
Xanax treatment should be discontinued if any of the following
occur: hyperexcitement, muscle spasm, anxiety, hallucinations,
rage or other hostile behavior, tremors, insomnia, sleeping difficulties
or overstimulation.
Cautions: Xanax has been known to interact undesirably with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have, or have a history of, any of the following conditions:
- Alcohol or drug abuse - may increase likelihood of Xanax dependence
- Allergic reaction to Xanax, or other benzodiazepine. Always
tell your doctor about any allergies before starting a medication.
- Borderline personality disorder or a history of violent behavior.
- Brain disease - may increase likelihood of side effects from
Xanax
- Breathing difficulties such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema,
or any other chronic lung disease - Xanax may worsen this condition.
- Difficulty swallowing - This condition may become more pronounced
in children.
- Epilepsy or seizures - Abruptly starting or stopping treatment
with Xanax may increase seizures. Although Xanax can be used as
an aid to anti-tremor therapy, it should be used cautiously and
strictly according to a doctor's instructions in these cases.
- Glaucoma - Xanax should not be prescribed to patients with acute
narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients receiving treatment for open angle
glaucoma should consult their doctor, as Xanax may be an acceptable
treatment for them.
- Hyperactivity
- Kidney or liver problems - In isolated cases, Xanax has been
reported to cause jaundice. If you experience yellowing of the
skin or eyes, seek medical treatment immediately. More Xanax may
end up in your bloodstream if you have a pre-existing kidney or
liver condition, increasing the likelihood of side effects.
- Major Depression
- Myasthenia gravis - This autoimmune disorder characterized by
muscle weakness may be aggravated by Xanax treatment.
- Porphyria - Xanax (alprazolam) is listed as an unsafe drug for
porphyria, an enzyme deficiency that can cause fragile skin that
is sensitive to sunlight, digestive difficulties, anxiety, and
reddish-brown urine.
- Psychosis or other serious mental illness - Xanax has not proved
to be an effective treatment for these conditions, and is not
recommended.
- Sleep apnea (temporary suspension of breathing during sleep)
- Xanax may worsen this condition. Individuals with sleep apnea
should not generally use sedatives as sleep aids. (See Sleep Disorders)
Dependence: Xanax has been known to be habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment is discontinued abruptly. Follow your doctor's advice about how much, and how often, you should take Xanax. If you are considering stopping Xanax treatment, ask your doctor how to safely decrease and then stop Xanax.
Xanax Interactions
Xanax slows the central nervous system, and should be taken with
care with medications that do the same thing. When Xanax is taken
with certain other medications, the rate of side effects may increase,
and the action of either medication may be increased or altered.
Certain medications can cause an undesirable build-up of Xanax in
the body. Ask your doctor's advice about combining Xanax with any
of the following:
- Alcohol - Xanax should not be mixed with alcohol, it increases
the risk of overdose and fatal toxicity.
- Agenerase (amprenavir)
- Any medication which may cause drowsiness
- Antibiotics (esp. macrolide antibiotics) like azithromycin,
biaxin, clarythromycin, or erythromycin
- Antihistamines like Tavist or Benadryl
- Adalat, Procardia (nifedipine)
- Antabuse (disulfiram)
- Antiseizure medication like Cerebyx (fosphenytoin), Dilantin
(phenytoin), or Tegretol (carbamazepine).
- Benzodiazepines of any other type, such as Valium
(diazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium
(chlordiazepoxide), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam),
ProSom (estazolam), Klonopin
(clonazepam)
- BuSpar (buspirone) - Can result in oversedation.
- Cardene (nicardipine)
- Cordarone (amiodarone)
- Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive
CNS depression.
- Diflucan (fluconazole)
- Ergotamine derivatives
- Grapefruit juice
- Kava kava - Do not take this herb while taking Xanax.
- Lanoxin (digoxin)
- MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil or Parnate.
- Narcotic analgesics of any kind, like Darvon (propoxyphene),
Darvocet (propoxyphene, acetaminophen), Demerol
(meperidine), Codeine, Percocet
(oxycodone, acetaminophen), Vicodin
(hydrocodone, acetaminophen), Vicoprofen
(hydrocodone and ibuprofen) or OxyContin
(oxycodone) may accelerate central nervous system or respiratory
depression when taken with Xanax. Also, Xanax may decrease the
effectiveness of these medications as pain relievers.
- Norflex (orphenadrine) - Risk of oversedation.
- Neoral, Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
- Nicotine - Heavy smoking may reduce the effectiveness of your
treatment.
- Nizoral (ketoconazole) - Xanax should not be mixed with this
antifungal medication.
- Oral contraceptives - May increase the effects of Xanax.
- Prilosec (omeprazole) - May increase the effects of Xanax.
- Rescriptor (delavirdine)
- Rifamate (isoniazid), Rifater (rifampin), or Mycobutin (rifabutin)
- Sedatives like Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal
(butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine), Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or
other barbiturates
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa
(citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine),
Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), or Zoloft (sertraline).
- Serzone (nefazodone)
- Skeletal muscle relaxants such as Flexeril
(cyclobenzaprine), Skelaxin (metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol),
or Robaxin (methocarbamol)
may cause oversedation in combination with this medication.
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon),
or over the counter sleeping pills should be used with Xanax only
as, and if, advised by your doctor.
- Sporanox (itraconazole) - Xanax should not be mixed with this
antifungal medication.
- Street drugs - Marijuana may increase sedative effects from
Xanax.
- St. John's Wort - Do not take this herb while taking Xanax.
- Tagamet (cimetidine)
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine),
or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase
the risk of side effects from Xanax.
- Valerian - Do not take this herb while taking Xanax.
Talk with your doctor if you are considering mixing an antidepressant
and anxiety medication like Xanax with any other antidepressant,
or any medication that may cause drowsiness. Anxiety medication
can have increased, unexpected, or severe side effects when mixed
with other medications that affect the central nervous system. Stimulants
of any type may blunt the effectiveness of Xanax.
Xanax Dosages
Xanax comes in doses of .25 mg (white oval tablet), .5 mg (pink
oval tablet), 1 mg (blue oval tablet), and 2mg (white oblong tablet,
scored). The usual starting dose is .25-.5 mg, 3-4 times per day,
up to a maximum of 4-6 mg per day, divided among several doses.
Xanax should be taken exactly as your doctor recommends. Don't
take more or less than prescribed, and don't double your doses if
you should miss one. Take your doctor's advice about how quickly
or slowly to ease off Xanax treatment if you plan to stop taking
it. Xanax should not be started or stopped abruptly, as it strongly
increases the likelihood of side effects. If you have a convulsive
disorder, or experience severe muscle spasming, abruptly stopping
or starting Xanax could increase these effects.
Xanax overdose symptoms can include confusion, poor coordination,
sleepiness, or coma. Seek medical treatment immediately if you suspect
an overdose.
Xanax and Pregnancy
Xanax is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding, pregnant,
or planning to become pregnant. Xanax could cause breathing problems
or muscle weakness in an infant. Also, a newborn whose mother had
been taking Xanax might experience withdrawal symptoms.
Other benzodiazepines, similar to Xanax, have been seen to cause
an increase in birth defects. While Xanax has not been demonstrated
to be a high risk factor for birth defects, the possibility exists
that it could increase their likelihood.
Xanax and Children
Xanax has not been studied for use in children.
Xanax and Seniors
Older adults taking Xanax are usually encouraged to start with
smaller doses (.25 mg 3-4 times per day) and limit intake to the
smallest effective dose. Seniors are more likely to become too heavily
sedated, or experience decreased muscle coordination.
What Xanax Treats
Xanax has been prescribed as a treatment for:
- Anxiety disorder characterized by unrealistic fears and excessive
worries.
- Panic Disorder, sometimes accompanied by fear of open spaces
(agoraphobia).
- Also for the temporary symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, depression,
fear of strangers, irritable bowel, and premenstrual syndrome.
Dosage varies.
- Xanax may be prescribed in low doses to treat fibromyalgia.
Xanax is a trademark of Pharmacia & Upjohn
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute
for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms
or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general
guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor
or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made
every effort to ensure that this information is accurate,
but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination,
is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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