Alprazolam

 

Generic name: alprazolam
Brand name: Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam
Dosage forms: oral concentrate (1 mg/mL); oral tablet (0.25 mg; 0.5 mg; 1 mg; 2 mg); oral tablet, disintegrating (0.25 mg; 0.5 mg; 1 mg; 2 mg); oral tablet, extended release (0.5 mg; 1 mg; 2 mg; 3 mg)
Drug class: Benzodiazepines

What exactly is alprazolam?

Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine. It is believed that it acts by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters within the brain.

Alprazolam can be used to treat panic disorders, anxiety disorders as well as anxiety caused by depression.

It’s risky to buy alprazolam through the Internet or outside of the United States. The distribution and sale of prescription drugs outside of the U.S. do not comply with the safe-use guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medicines could contain hazardous substances, or they may not be sold through an accredited pharmacy.¶

Warnings

The misuse of  Alprazolam could lead to addiction or overdose and should only be used by the person for the purpose for which it has been prescribed. Place the medication in a safe place so that others are not able to access it.

Alprazolam can slow down or end your breathing. Deathly adverse effects could be experienced if you use this medication along with alcohol, opioid medication, or other medications that result in drowsiness or slow breathing.

Don’t stop taking this medicine without consulting your physician. It is possible to experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stop taking the medicine after long-term usage. Certain withdrawal symptoms may last for 12 months or more.

Seek medical attention immediately when you stop taking alprazolam and are experiencing symptoms that include: strange muscle movements, becoming more talkative or active abrupt and drastic changes in your mood or behavior or mood, hallucinations seizures, thoughts of suicide.

It is not recommended to make use of alprazolam in the case of narrow-angle glaucoma or also take ketoconazole or itraconazole or if you’re sensitive to alprazolam or similar medications (Valium, Ativan, Tranxene, and many others).

Do not take alprazolam in the case of pregnancy. This medicine can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the infant.

 

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

It is not recommended to use alprazolam in the following situations:

• Additionally, you can take antifungal medications like ketoconazole or itraconazole as well as
• If you’ve had an allergy history with any of the benzodiazepines (alprazolam diazepam, lorazepam, diazepam Ativan, Valium, Versed, Klonopin, and others).

To ensure that alprazolam suitable for you, ask your doctor if you’ve previously had:

• breathing issues;
• alcohol or drug addiction;
• mood issues, depression or suicidal or suicidal-like thoughts, behavior or mood or
• Kidney or liver diseases.

Inform your doctor whether you’re pregnant or planning to be pregnant. If you are taking alprazolam during your pregnancy the baby may be born with potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and could require medical attention for a few weeks.

It is not recommended to breastfeed.

If you breastfeed, consult your physician when you experience drowsiness or feeding issues in the infant.

Not recommended to use by anyone less than 18 years old.

How to take alprazolam?

Follow the exact dosage of alprazolam prescribed by your physician. Follow the instructions on your prescription label and make sure you read all instructions or medication guides. Don’t take alprazolam in greater amounts or for a longer duration than what is prescribed. Talk to your doctor if notice an increase in your desire to take more alprazolam.

Do not share this medication with anyone else, especially those who have an addiction history or addiction. In the wrong hands, it could lead to addiction or overdose, or even death. Place the medicine in a location where other people can’t access it. The selling or distribution of this medication is against the law.

Take measurements of liquid medicine using the measuring device supplied (not an ordinary spoon).

Take this Extended-Release tablet entirely, and don’t crush, chew or break it.

Let the tablet dissolve, without chewing.

Consult your doctor if symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.

If you are taking this medicine for a long time, you might require regular medical tests.

Don’t stop taking alprazolam without consulting your physician. It is possible to experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stop taking the medication after long-term use.

Keep it at room temperature, free of heat, moisture, and light. Place your medication in a safe place in a place where nobody will be able to use it in a way that isn’t safe.

Get rid of any alprazolam solution not used for 90 days.

 

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety:

Tablets for immediate release or disintegrating orally (ODT): 0.25 to 0.5 mg taken orally 3 times per day.
-Maximum dose: 4 mg/day

Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder:

Tablets/ODTs with immediate release: 0.5 mg orally administered 3 times per day.
-Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Extended-release tablets:
Initial dosage: 0.5 to 1 mg daily, orally.
Maintaining dosage 3 – 6 mg daily, best in the early morning
-Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Comments:
– The lowest effective dose is recommended and the requirement for ongoing treatment is regular reassessment.
Dosage reduction should occur gradually after stopping a treatment or when reducing the dosage per day.
The dosage for a day can be reduced by not more than 0.5 mg every three days However, certain patients might require a less drastic reduction in dosage.
The dosage of extended-release tablets can be increased at intervals of 3-4 days, in increments of not more than 1 mg each day.
The administration times should be as evenly possible during the daytime hours.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Anxiety:

Debilitated or elderly patients:
Instant-release tablets/ODTs: 0.25 mg orally administered at least 2 or 3 times per day.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Panic Disorder:

Debilitated or elderly patients:
Immediate-release tablets/ODTs:
Initial dosage: 0.25 mg orally administered three or two times per day

Extended-release tablets:
Initial dosage: 0.5 mg orally once every day

Comments:
If there are any side effects it is possible to have the dosage decreased.
– The lowest effective dose should be administered , with the requirement for ongoing treatment should be evaluated frequently.
Dosage reduction should occur slowly when stopping therapy or when reducing the dosage daily.

If I don’t take a dose?

Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but avoid your missed dosage if it’s close to the time of the next dose. Don’t take two doses at a time.

How do I react if take too much?

For medical emergencies, seek medical attention in an emergency or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A high dose of alprazolam could be fatal when taken in combination with alcohol, opioid medications, or any other drug that can induce drowsiness, or slow your breathing.

The symptoms of an overdose can include dizziness, confusion, slurred speech muscles and loss of balance coordination, feeling lightheaded or sluggish heartbeats, low or shallow breathing as well as fainting or the onset of a coma.

What to avoid?

Do not drink or consume alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death could happen.

Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of alprazolam. Drowsiness or dizziness can lead to accidents, falls or serious injuries.

Alprazolam side effects

Contact a medical professional immediately If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction with alprazolam symptoms include hives; trouble breathing or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.

Alprazolam can sluggish or even stop breathing, particularly if you have recently taken an opioid drug or alcohol. Anyone who cares for you should seek immediate medical care if you suffer from the breath that is slow, with long pauses and blue lips or if it is difficult to get up.

Contact your doctor immediately If you suffer from:

• breath that is weak or shallow;
• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you’re passing out;
• a seizure;
• hallucinations, risk-taking behavior;
• more energy, less need to sleep;
• racing thoughts, feeling agitated or agitated;
• double vision double vision
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Dizziness or drowsiness can be more frequent when older individuals. Be careful to stay away from falls or sustaining an injury accidentally.

Common side effects of alprazolam are:

• Drowsiness or
• Feeling lightheaded.

When you have stopped using the medication alprazolam consult a doctor immediately if you notice symptoms that are unusual, such as movements of your muscles, becoming more talkative or active or experiencing sudden and extreme changes in your mood or behavior such as hallucinations, confusion or seizures, suicidal thoughts or behavior.

The withdrawal symptoms of some patients can last for 12 months or more after abruptly stopping the medication. Inform your doctor when you experience persistent depression, anxiety, and memory problems, as well as thinking, difficulty sleeping or sleeping, ringing in your ears, and a prickly or burning feeling or sensation on your skin.

This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any symptoms to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other medications will be affecting alprazolam?

There are times when it’s not recommended to take certain medications in conjunction with other medications. Certain drugs may affect the blood levels from other medications you take, which could cause more side effects or make the medications less effective.

The combination of alprazolam together with other medicines that cause you to sleep or cause your breathing to slow can cause serious negative side effects or even deaths. Ask your doctor prior to using an opioid medication or a sleeping pill an muscle relaxer, or medication for seizures or anxiety.

Certain drugs may be incompatible with alprazolam. certain drugs shouldn’t be taken at the same time. Inform your doctor about any other medicines you are taking. This includes prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins, as well as herbs.