While these methods can help reduce symptoms quickly, ongoing or severe anxiety should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. The average dose of alprazolam was 5 mg to 6 mg per day in 2 of the studies, and the doses of alprazolam were fixed at 2 mg and 6 mg per day in the third study. In all 3 studies, alprazolam was superior to placebo on a variable defined as “the number of patients with zero panic attacks” (range, 37% to 83% met this criterion), as well as on a global improvement score. In 2 of the 3 studies, alprazolam was superior to placebo on a variable defined as “change from baseline on the number of panic attacks per week” (range, 3.3 to 5.2), and also on a phobia rating scale.
What Is Xanax (Alprazolam)?
In particular, older adults are more likely to have problems with concentration and memory while taking this drug. They’re also more likely to experience drowsiness and slowed reaction times, and have trouble with coordination or balance. Alprazolam also comes as an orally disintegrating tablet, oral solution, and extended-release oral tablet. Alprazolam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These figures cannot be compared with those obtained from other clinical studies involving related drug products and placebo as each group of drug trials are conducted under a different set of conditions.
Response and effectiveness
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, 4 ways to use alprazolam talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Below is a partial list of mild side effects of alprazolam.
What is Alprazolam prescribed for?
However, if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. If you have questions about whether or not to take a missed dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you’re interested in taking Xanax instead of alprazolam, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether Xanax comes in forms and strengths that can be prescribed for your condition. If you have insurance, you’ll also need to check whether your plan will cover Xanax. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
What to do in case of overdose
- Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.
- Benzodiazepines, even when used as recommended, may produce emotional and/or physical dependence.
- Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about alprazolam’s dosage.
- You should not breastfeed while taking alprazolam tablets.
- Alprazolam can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious.
Venlafaxine is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder. Paroxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and … Alprazolam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
What should I avoid while taking Xanax?
In mild to moderate cases, symptoms can include drowsiness, confusion, dysarthria, lethargy, hypnotic state, diminished reflexes, ataxia, and hypotonia. Rarely, paradoxical or disinhibitory reactions (including agitation, irritability, impulsivity, violent behavior, confusion, restlessness, excitement, and talkativeness) may occur. In severe overdosage cases, patients may develop respiratory depression and coma. Overdosage of benzodiazepines in combination with other CNS depressants (including alcohol and opioids) may be fatal see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2).
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Do not crush, chew, or break alprazolam extended-release tablets. Do not take alprazolam unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider.
- Alprazolam tablets can make you sleepy or dizzy and can slow your thinking and motor skills.
- It is primarily prescribed for the purpose of managing anxiety disorders and panic attacks.
- Other drugs possibly affecting alprazolam metabolism by inhibition of CYP3A are discussed in the Precautions section (see Precautions–Drug Interactions).
- If adverse reactions occur at the recommended starting dosage, the dosage may be reduced see USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS (8.5), CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3).
Withdrawal symptoms can be serious and include seizures. Mild withdrawal symptoms include a depressed mood and trouble sleeping. Talk to your healthcare provider about slowly stopping alprazolam tablets to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Stopping alprazolam tablets can cause seizures and seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). Alprazolam tablets may cause an increase in activity and talking (hypomania and mania) in people who have depression. • Alprazolam tablets can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.
Alprazolam IR oral tablet
Breaking the tablet would cause too much alprazolam to be released at one time. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. If you have withdrawal symptoms during your dose taper, talk with your doctor. They may increase your dosage then reduce it more slowly. However, if you have serious withdrawal symptoms, see your doctor right away.
Your symptoms may return when you stop using Xanax XR after using it over a long period of time. You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Xanax XR. Before taking Xanax XR, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol. Xanax XR is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens).
Before taking alprazolam, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. You should try to take alprazolam at the same times each day. Taking the medication around the same times helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. Before taking alprazolam, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use.
Alprazolam may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy, or are not alert or able to see well. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects. Swallow the extended-release tablet or tablet whole with a full glass of water. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.