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. Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety.
However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or
tension caused by the stress of everyday life.
Alprazolam belong to the group of medicines
called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down
the nervous system). Alprazolam also is used
sometimes to treat depression, fear of open spaces (agoraphobia), and
premenstrual syndrome. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of
using this medication for your condition. Many of the benzodiazepines are
used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Chlordiazepoxide,
clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of
alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam
are used in the treatment of panic disorder. The benzodiazepines may also
be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Alprazolam may be habit-forming (causing
mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or
in high doses.
Special precautions
Before taking Alprazolam ,
Allergies� tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzodiazepines. Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such
as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Certain benzodiazepine products may
contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.
Pregnancy� Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become
pregnant while taking Alprazolam , call your
doctor immediately.
Too much use of a Alprazolam during pregnancy
may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to
withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of Alprazolam during
pregnancy, especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature
problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or muscle
weakness in the newborn infant.
Alprazolam given just before or during labor
may cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high
doses (especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may
cause breathing problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and body
temperature problems in the newborn infant.
Breast-feeding� Alprazolam may pass
into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and
weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.
Children� Most of the side effects of these
medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very young.
These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of Xanax
.
Older adults� Most of the side effects of these
medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more
sensitive to the effects of Alprazolam .
Taking benzodiazepines for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime
drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition, falls
and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking Alprazolam
.
Other medicines� although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines
may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases,
your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be
necessary.
Other medical problems� the presence of other
medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make sure you tell
your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
• Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)�Dependence on
Alprazolam may be more likely to develop
• Brain disease�CNS depression and other side effects of
Alprazolam may be more likely to occur
• Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or
• Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease
or
• Hyperactivity or
• Mental depression or
• Mental illness (severe) or
• Myasthenia gravis or
• Porphyria or
• Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during
sleep)� Alprazolam may make these
conditions worse
• Epilepsy or history of seizures�Although some Alprazolam
are used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly stopping
treatment with these medicines may increase seizures
• Glaucoma, acute narrow angle� Alprazolam should
NOT be used if you have this condition.
• Glaucoma, open angle� Alprazolam is
used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. can be used but your
doctor should be monitoring your condition carefully.
• Kidney or liver disease�higher blood levels of Alprazolam
is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. may
result, increasing the chance that side effects will occur
Side effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do
occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side
effects occur:
• Less common
- Anxiety; confusion (may be more common in the elderly);
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat ; lack of memory of
events taking place after Alprazolam is
taken (may be more common with triazolam); mental depression
• Rare
- Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding
false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense of
reality ; agitation; behavior changes, including
aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or
outbursts of anger; convulsions (seizures);
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not
there); hypotension (low blood pressure); muscle
weakness; skin rash or itching ; sore throat, fever, and
chills; trouble in sleeping; ulcers or sores in mouth or
throat (continuing); uncontrolled movements of body, including
the eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising ; unusual
excitement, nervousness, or irritability ; unusual tiredness
or weakness (severe); yellow eyes or skin
• Symptoms of overdose
- Confusion (continuing); convulsions (seizures);
drowsiness (severe) or coma; shakiness; slow heartbeat;
slow reflexes; slurred speech (continuing) ; staggering;
troubled breathing ; weakness (severe)
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any
questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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