Alprazolam Drug Information

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Brand Name: Xanax

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

What is the most important information I should know about alprazolam ?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Alprazolam will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
• Avoid alcohol while taking alprazolam. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by alprazolam.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release form alprazolam (Xanax XR). Swallow them whole. These tablets are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.
• Alprazolam is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor . Withdrawal effects may occur if alprazolam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Seizures may be a side effect of sudden discontinuation of the medication. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose.

What is alprazolam?
• Alprazolam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
• Alprazolam is used to relieve anxiety , nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety disorders . Alprazolam is also used to treat panic disorders.
• Alprazolam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking alprazolam?
• Do not take alprazolam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma. Alprazolam may worsen this condition.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· have a history of alcohol or drug abuse ;
· have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory disease;
· are depressed or have suicidal thoughts; or
· have mania, bipolar disorder , or another psychiatric condition (other than anxiety or panic disorder ).
• You may not be able to take alprazolam, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Alprazolam is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that alprazolam is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether alprazolam passes into breast milk. Do not take alprazolam without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from alprazolam. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the medication.

How should I take alprazolam?
• Take alprazolam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release form alprazolam (Xanax XR). Swallow them whole. These tablets are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.
• Do not take more of the medication than is prescribed for you.
• Alprazolam is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if alprazolam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Seizures may be a side effect of sudden discontinuation of the medication. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose.
• Store alprazolam at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of an alprazolam overdose include sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing , difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking alprazolam?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Alprazolam will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
• Avoid alcohol while taking alprazolam. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by alprazolam.
• Alprazolam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any other medicine without first talking to your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of alprazolam?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking alprazolam and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
· sores in the mouth or throat;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes;
· a rash;
· hallucinations or severe confusion; or
· changes in vision.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take alprazolam and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness;
· depression;
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
· difficulty urinating;
· vivid dreams;
· headache;
· dry mouth;
· decreased sex drive; or
· changes in behavior.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect alprazolam?
• Do not take ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox) during treatment with alprazolam without first talking to your doctor.
• Alprazolam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.
• Antacids may decrease the effects of alprazolam. Separate doses of an antacid and alprazolam by several hours whenever possible.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with alprazolam. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

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Previous reviews

Bonnie Brown

Alprazolam for depression

This is a great drug and a very effective one that changed my life. When I was suffering from depression, absolutely nothing seemed possible. Everything was too hard. I was going through times when I could eat all the time, or that I couldn't eat at all. I had a lot of digestive upset no matter what I ate, I was suffering from terrible insomnia. I could barely leave the house. It was all stress related, but for a while, there was nothing I could do to make the stress go away. So I was prescribed Alprazolam to help me out. It did just enough to make things seem normal again. This didn't work like a happy pill or anything. I wasn't instantly feeling wonderful. I just felt as though I could manage. It didn't seem overwhelming and painful anymore. I didn’t suffer from any of the side effects that my pharmacist warned me could happen. I did find that I had an increase in appetite, but I think that’s only because I had such an erratic appetite while I was depressed, that this just leveled it out. I didn’t gain very much weight on it, so I don’t think that I could blame it for that. I also didn’t find that I suffered from withdrawal of any kind when I went off it, and a friend of mine said that she suffered withdrawal when she stopped it. I think that might have been because I was only on it for three quarters of a year, which isn’t very long.

Bobby Rodney

generic xanax

This drug is the generic form of xanax. I’d been on xanax before for depression and it worked pretty great, but then I lost my drug plan so my doctor prescribed alprazolam instead. It worked exactly the same way. This isn’t just for a little bit of the blues. This is a serious drug for very strong depression. That’s what I had. Everything in my life was falling apart because of the economy and whatnot and I was having a very hard time pulling everything back together again. Alprazolam is a more affordable form of xanax that helps you keep everything in perspective so that you don’t end up sinking down beyond a place where you ever feel that you can get better. Before taking this, I already felt like there was no reason to continue making any kind of effort. Absolutely nothing brought me enjoyment. Some days I didn’t bother getting out of bed for anything but going to the bathroom. I was a complete wreck. It wasn’t until I went onto these pills that I was able to bring my life back around again. Unfortunately, though they work very effectively, I also found that I gained a lot of weight while I was on them. That’s why I’m dieting now is because of the weight that I gained while I was on these pills. I wasn’t a small guy to begin with, but this certainly did bring me from being overweight to quite obese. At the same time, I’d say that it’s worth it, because now at least I’m willing to put the effort in to lose the weight and be healthy, whereas before I was taking these pills, I could hardly find the motivation to do anything at all.