Alprazolam

Brand: Xanax

Application: Anxiety – Panic attack – Sleep disorders

Alprazolam Dosage Forms

Tablet

 Alprazolam Drug Information

Alprazolam (Xanax is the brand name for the drug alprazolam) is prescribed to treat insomnia, anxiety disorders, and mental panic disorder. Alprazolam is a class of benzodiazepines that are prescribed for a short time to relieve symptoms of anxiety or sleep problems. Alprazolam affects the function of GABA neurotransmitters (responsible for transmitting messages to brain cells), is sedative and helps relax muscles (restful sleep).

Alprazolam is also used to treat seizures caused by epilepsy; A seizure is a transient condition caused by electrical changes in the brain. This electrical activity occurs in a small part of the brain; Therefore, the symptoms that occur occur regionally. Alprazolam reduces the number of seizures in epilepsy by reducing abnormal electrical changes in the brain.

Dosage and method of taking alprazolam 

Read the package leaflet carefully before starting treatment with alprazolam. This brochure will help you to get comprehensive information about the drug and its possible side effects.

The dose and amount of medicine varies from person to person; Use the medicine exactly as your doctor advised. Xanax is available in pill form (in different doses) in pharmacies; When buying medicine, you should pay attention to what dose and what kind of medicine your doctor has prescribed for you.

Your doctor will usually start treatment with a lower dose of the drug and then increase the dose for you (long-term use of alprazolam can be addictive).

Alprazolam can be taken with or without food; Never chew the medicine, swallow it with water.

If you forget to take your daily dose of alprazolam at the appointed time but soon forget to take it; But if you remember when the next dose is about an hour away, do not take the missed dose. You should not take two doses of the medicine together because of the missed dose.

Contraindications to Alprazolam 

Note the expiration date of alprazolam and do not take it if it has expired.

Never give alprazolam to another person, even if you have the same symptoms.

Check for drug interactions with alprazolam, and if you are taking a drug that interacts with this drug, talk to your doctor about using your medications.

Alprazolam during pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy and lactation, you should not use the drug arbitrarily without consulting your doctor. Medications can have devastating effects on the fetus or on yourself.

The effect of alprazolam on driving and working with machines

Alprazolam (Xanax) can make you dizzy and drowsy, so make sure you are alert before driving or operating machinery.

Alprazolam Drug Interactions 

Drug interactions may alter drug performance and increase the risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all the medicines (including prescription / over-the-counter and herbal medicines) you use and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not change the dose of your medicine without consulting your doctor or stop taking the medicine.

Some medications that may interact with alprazolam include kava and sodium oxibate.

Drugs that can affect the elimination of alprazolam from the body and affect its function include: Azole antifungal drugs (such as ketoconazole), cimetidine, antidepressants (such as SSRIs including paroxetine / fluoxetine) (fluoxetine) / fluvoxamine, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John’s wort tablets, anticonvulsant drugs (such as phenytoin), and anti-HIV drugs (such as deluxe inhibitors, inhibitors). Of course, this list is not exhaustive; Therefore, before taking alprazolam, make a list of all the medicines you are taking and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

The specific medications listed below can increase the risk of side effects from alprazolam (such as shortness of breath, severe drowsiness, and dizziness) if you take medications such as alcohol, sleeping pills, or anti-anxiety medications (such as diazepam). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking zolpidem, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), muscle relaxants, and painkillers (such as codeine).

Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of alprazolam (by inducing liver enzymes). Tell your doctor if you smoke or have recently quit, as your dose may need to be adjusted.

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergies or cough and cold medicines) because some of them are made up of substances that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist how to use them so that you can use them safely.

Special warnings and precautions while taking alprazolam

Some medications may not be prescribed under certain conditions, and some medications may be prescribed if additional treatment is needed; Therefore, it is best for your doctor to be aware of the following before taking alprazolam (Xanax):

• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding your baby.
• If you have any liver or liver problems.
• If you have any respiratory problems (such as COPD).
• If you have mental health problems such as psychosis, depression, obsession, fear and personality disorder.
• If you have a drug or alcohol addiction.
• If you have myasthenia gravis.
• If you have porphyria.
• If you are taking certain medications. These medicines include all the medicines available, whether you are prescribed them or taking them without a doctor’s prescription, such as herbal medicines and complementary medicines.
• If you have a history of allergic reactions to another benzodiazepine drug such as diazepam.

Side effects of alprazolam

All medications can cause side effects. But many consumers also do not experience any side effects. Some of the side effects go away after a short time of taking the medicine. In case of persistent side effects, the physician should be informed:

Feeling drowsy and dizzy: In this case, avoid driving and working with machines.

Mood swings (suicidal thoughts): These side effects usually go away within the first few days of taking the drug. But if any of these things bother you, talk to your doctor.

Headache: Ask your doctor to prescribe a suitable painkiller.

Increased saliva

Decreased sexual potency: Tell your doctor if any of these things bother you.

Important Note: Some people taking this medicine may be allergic to it. See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any swelling around the mouth, breathing problems, or skin rashes.

Consult your doctor if you have any other symptoms that you feel may be due to alprazolam.

Alprazolam overdose (drug poisoning)

Do not take alprazolam more than the dose prescribed by your doctor.

If you feel that someone has been poisoned and you have symptoms such as severe drowsiness, slow reflexes, slow breathing, shortness of breath, fainting and weakness (fainting), call the emergency room right away.

Storage conditions of alprazolam

Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.