Review of Xanax
Xanax – What is it?
Xanax is one of the groups of drugs known as benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It has an effect on brain’s chemicals that might have become unstable and result in anxiety.
Xanax is utilized to treat panic disorders, anxiety disorders as well as anxiety caused by depression. It could also be utilized for other purposes not mentioned in this medication guide.
Xanax - Important information
This medication should not be used by people who are allergic to Xanax or to any other benzodiazepines, for instance chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), clorazepate (Tranxene), oxazepam (Serax) or lorazepam (Ativan). This medication could cause birth defects in a fetus. Xanax should not be used by pregnant women.
Prior to using Xanax, ensure that you inform your doctor if you suffer from glaucoma, any breathing problems, liver or kidney disease, or a history of depression or addiction to alcohol or drugs.
When taking Xanax, do not consume alcohol. This drug could increase the alcohol effects. Xanax could be addictive and therefore should only be taken by the person to whom it was prescribed for. Never share Xanax with another person, particularly if the person has a history of addiction or drug abuse. Make sure you store the medication in a safe place that is not accessible to others.
It is risky to try and buy Xanax on the Internet or from sellers who are outside the United States. Medications that are distributed from online sales could have dangerous ingredients, or might not be from a licensed pharmacy. In some cases, Xanax bought on the Internet have been found to include haloperidol (Haldol) which is a powerful antipsychotic drug that has harmful side effects. In case you need more information you can contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit their site.
Xanax - Before taking the medication
It is unsafe to buy Xanax on the Internet or from sellers who are outside the United States. Drugs that are distributed from online sales could have harmful ingredients, or might not be from a licensed pharmacy. Some of the samples of Xanax that was purchased online were tested to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a powerful antipsychotic drug which has harmful side effects. In case you need more information you can contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit their site.
You should not take Xanax if you have the following conditions:
* in case you are on ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
* narrow-angle glaucoma; or
* in case you are allergic to alprazolam or any other benzodiazepines, for example chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), clorazepate (Tranxene), oxazepam (Serax) or lorazepam (Ativan).
Before you start taking Xanax, inform your doctor if you are to any kind of medication or if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), emphysema, other breathing problems or have
* liver or kidney disease (particularly alcoholic liver disease);
* glaucoma;
* a history of depression or suicidal tendency or thoughts;
* a history of alcohol or drug addiction.
In case you suffer from any of the above mentioned conditions, you require an adjustment of your Xanax dose or undergo special tests to verify if Xanax is safe for you.
Xanax is categorized by the FDA as pregnancy category D medication. Xanax could lead to birth defects in a fetus. This medication should not be used during pregnancy without the consent of your doctor. Inform your doctor if you become pregnant when taking this medication. It is advisable to use a good birth control when on this drug. Xanax could pass through breast milk and might be harmful to the nursing baby. You should not take this medication when breast feeding without informing your doctor. The sedative effects of Xanax could last longer in case of older adults. There are many cases of accidental falls in elderly patients who are taking benzodiazepines. Use prudence to avoid accidental injury or falling when taking Xanax. This medication should not be taken by a person who is under 18 years.
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Xanax - How should it be taken?
Xanax should be taken exactly as prescribed to you. Never take higher doses or take it for longer durations than what has been recommended by your doctor. You should follow the directions that are on the prescription label.
Occasionally, your doctor might alter the dose of Xanax to ensure you derive the maximum results from this medication.
Xanax might be addictive and must only be used by the person to whom it was prescribed. It should not be shared with anyone else, particularly if a person has a history of addiction or drug abuse. It should be kept in a safe place not accessible to others. The extended-release table should not be crushed, chewed or broken. The tablet should be swallowed as a whole. If the tablet is broken, it causes too much of the drug to be discharged at one time.
The liquid form of Xanax should be measured with a special dose-measuring cup or spoon and not from a regular table spoon. In case you do not have dose-measuring device, get it from your pharmacist.
To consume the alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets (Niravam), ensure that:
* Using your dry hands, take a tablet from the bottle and place it on your tongue. It begins to dissolve immediately.
* Never swallow the tablet. It should dissolve in your mouth with no chewing.
* As the tablet begins to dissolve, swallow a number of times. If you want, you can have some liquid drink after the tablet is dissolved completely.
* Consult your doctor if Xanax does not seem to be effective in treating your anxiety or panic symptoms.
If using Xanax for longer durations and discontinuing its use, it is possible for the symptoms may return. You could experience withdrawal symptoms or seizures when you quit taking Xanax. Some of the withdrawal symptoms might include trouble concentrating, blurred vision, appetite loss, diarrhea, numbness, muscle twitching or increased sensations.
Consult your doctor if you want to stop taking Xanax suddenly. You may be required to reduce the dosage slowly before stopping the use of Xanax altogether.
To ensure that Xanax is aiding in solving your problems, your doctor needs to check your progress regularly. You should not miss your visits to your doctor.
Xanax should be stored at room temperature away and kept from heat, moisture and light. Cotton should be removed from the bottle of disintegrating tablets. Ensure the bottle is kept tightly closed.
Keep a count of the usage of the medication from a new bottle of Xanax. Benzodiazepines are known to be addictive and you should make sure that no other person is using the medication inappropriately or without prescription.
Xanax – Missed dose
In case you miss a dose, it can be taken immediately on remembering. But, if it nearly the time for the next dose, you can skip the missed dose and continue with the scheduled dose. You should not take an extra dose to make up the missed dosage.
Xanax – Overdose
You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have taken an overdose of Xanax as an overdose of this drug could be fatal.
The symptoms of Xanax overdose could include extreme sleepiness, muscle weakness, confusion, loss of coordination or balance, fainting, light-headedness or coma.
Xanax - What to avoid when taking it?
You should not consume alcohol when taking Xanax. This drug could increase the alcohol effects. Xanax could have side effects that might weaken your thinking or reactions. You should exercise caution if you are driving or need to anything that requires you to stay awake and attentive.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice might cause interactions with Xanax and result in potentially harmful effects. Talk to your doctor with regard to using grapefruit products. You should not modify the quantities of grapefruit products you use in your diet without consulting your doctor.
Xanax – Possible side effects
You should seek immediate medical help in case you experience any of these signs of allergic reactions – difficulty in breathing; hives; swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects:
* depression, suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting yourself;
* unusually rash behavior, decreased self-consciousness, no fear of risk;
* anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, hallucinations;
* seizure or convulsions;
* feeling dizzy, fainting;
* jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
* less urination or not urinating at all; or
* muscle twitching, tremors.
The not so serious side effects of Xanax could include:
* memory loss or forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating;
* sleepiness, giddiness, feeling irritable;
* lack of sleep (insomnia);
* distorted vision;
* appetite or weight changes;
* weakness of muscle, lack of coordination or balance, slurred speech;
* vomiting, nausea, constipation;
* decreased libido; or
* increased sweating, dry or watery mouth.
There may be side effects that are not listed here. Consult your doctor if experience any side effects that may be unusual or that is particularly troublesome. You could report side effects of Xanax to FDA at the number 1-800-FDA-1088.
Xanax – Other drug interactions
Before taking Xanax inform your doctor of all other medication you regularly take, especially drugs that make you drowsy, for instance any cold medication, allergy medicine, sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxers, and drugs for anxiety, seizures or depression. These medications could increase the sleep effects of Xanax.
Prior to taking Xanax, inform your doctor if you are using:
* cimetidine (Tagamet);
* birth control pills;
* diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem);
* propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
* antibiotics like fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
* isoniazid (IsonaRif, Rifamate);
* antidepressants like fluvoxamine (Luvox), desipramine (Norpramin), or imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil); or
* medication for seizures.
In case you are taking any of the above mentioned drugs, you cannot take Xanax or would require dosage modification or special tests during treatment.
There might be other medicines that are not mentioned here that could interact with Xanax. Inform your doctor of all the prescription as well as over the counter medications you are taking, including herbal supplements, vitamins, medications prescribed by other doctors and minerals. You should not begin taking a new medication without consulting your doctor first.
Xanax – Where to get more information?
Your can ask you pharmacist for more information on Xanax.
Xanax – What does it look like?
Alprazolam is available under the brand names Xanax and Niravam and can be obtained with a prescription. Generic versions and other brands are also available. You can ask any questions regarding this medication to your pharmacist, particularly if it is new to you.
Bear in mind to keep Xanax and all other medications out of the reach of children, not the share any drugs with others and use Xanax only for the prescribed indication.
