Geriatric patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines. 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). Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to.
Health Conditions
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking alprazolam (Xanax) because this can lead to serious interactions. XANAX may produce physical dependence from continued therapy. Physical dependence is a state that develops as a result of physiological adaptation in response to repeated drug use, manifested by withdrawal signs and symptoms after abrupt discontinuation or a significant dose reduction of a drug. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of benzodiazepines or administration of flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening.
Potential For Misuse, Addiction, Dependence, And Withdrawal
If clinically appropriate, doctors may prescribe Xanax to treat conditions such as anxiety or panic disorders. All prescriptions are issued in compliance with federal regulations and medical guidelines, ensuring safe, responsible use. MyHealthONE makes it easier to access trusted care without unnecessary delays or in-person visits. XANAX is a benzodiazepine and a CNS depressant with a potential for abuse and addiction. Abuse is the intentional, non-therapeutic use of a drug, even once, for its desirable psychological or physiological effects.
GENERIC NAME: ALPRAZOLAM – ORAL (al-PRA-zoe-lam)
The drug is usually presented in orange or bluish-colored tablets, cylindrical, biconvex, and slotted on one side to facilitate taking the appropriate doses. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. If you breastfeed while taking this medication, seek medical care right away if you notice the child has slow or noisy breathing, is unusually sleepy or not able to wake up, or is limp. It’s possible that your medical professional will recommend that you use Xanax together with other drugs to treat your anxiety. It’s common to have questions about your treatment plan for Xanax.
What If You’re Using It To Treat An Anxiety Or Panic Disorder?
After daily administration of Xanax tablets within 28 days, the further treatment should be reconsidered. The usual starting dose of Xanax is 0.25 to 0.5 milligram taken 3 times a day. The dose may be increased every 3 to 4 days to a maximum daily dose of 4 milligrams, divided into smaller doses. Remember that withdrawal symptoms can occur when Xanax is stopped suddenly or the doctor lowers your dosage. These include abnormal skin sensations, blurred vision, decreased appetite, diarrhea, distorted sense of smell, heightened senses, muscle cramps or twitching, problems concentrating, weight loss, and rarely, seizures.
In patients with hepatic impairment, the recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX is 0.25 mg, given 2 or 3 times daily. If adverse reactions occur at the recommended starting dose, the dosage may be reduced see Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3). And as mentioned above, Xanax and other medications in the benzodiazepine class of drugs are not considered safe for continuous use, which can increase the risk of dependence.
Xanax has a boxed warning about the risk of severe harm or death if taken with opioids. Xanax and buspirone may be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or do not go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Consequently, patients on alprazolam for extended periods of time should slowly taper the medication under a doctor’s supervision rather than abruptly stopping the medication.
- If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Before approving coverage for Xanax, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization.
- For example, you may take it in the morning, after lunch, and in the evening.
- Your doctor should periodically reassess the need for this drug.
- If you or a loved one notices that you’re having trouble breathing or waking up easily, get medical help right away.
- This can make you avoid situations or places you feel may trigger a panic attack, which can lead to agoraphobia.
Can I Take A Pain Reliever Such As Tylenol During Xanax Treatment?
Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take alprazolam while breastfeeding. Some people may have the following symptoms of a withdrawal reaction that can last for several weeks to more than 12 months. While less common, the most serious side effects of alprazolam are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Alprazolam may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Does Xanax Have Side Effects?
If you have taken this medication for a long time or take a high dose, your body may rely on it. Talk to your care team about how long you need to take this medication. When it is time to stop, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to reduce the risk of side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about this. Before taking Xanax, 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.
What If I Miss A Dose?
Other common benzodiazepines include Valium and Klonopin. If you take this medication as it’s intended — it’s commonly prescribed to treat anxiety or panic disorders — you may notice symptom relief after your first dose. Alprazolam (Xanax) can interact with other medications. For example, certain medications can cause alprazolam (Xanax) to reach dangerously high levels in the body, which raises your risk for serious side effects. These include some antifungal medications, cimetidine (Tagamet HB), and some mental health medications like fluvoxamine (Luvox). Talk to your care team about all the medications you’re taking or plan to take, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Both Xanax and alcohol may cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. Yes, it’s safe to take Xanax with acetaminophen (Tylenol).
WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; And DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS
Because of its CNS depressant effects, patients receiving XANAX should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations or activities requiring complete mental alertness such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. For the same reason, patients should be cautioned about the concomitant use of alcohol and other CNS depressant drugs during treatment with XANAX see Drug Interactions (7.1). In some cases, benzodiazepine users have developed a protracted withdrawal syndrome with withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks to more than 12 months see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3).
Before you take Xanax, be sure to tell your medical professional about any other drugs you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication. It’s also important to mention any herbs, supplements, and vitamins you may use. Your medical professional or pharmacist can tell you about possible interactions these substances may have with Xanax. They’ll ultimately prescribe the lowest dosage of Xanax that you need to relieve your anxiety symptoms.
It may also be helpful to refer to the medication guide for Xanax. Xanax contains the active drug alprazolam, which is a controlled substance. The federal government regulates controlled substances because taking them may lead some people to misuse the drugs. Xanax is available in a generic form called alprazolam.
