Do not change your dose or stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. XANAX is a federal controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep XANAX in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. It is not known if XANAX is safe and effective in children.
1 Clinical Trials Experience
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 is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines.
Xanax, also called alprazolam, is a prescription drug in the benzodiazepine family. It is primarily prescribed for the purpose of managing anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Although it can help provide short-term relief it’s important to know the pros and cons of using it for quick relief, and how it fits into your overall treatment plan for managing these disorders.
Treatment
- If you’re struggling with anxiety, talk to your healthcare provider or a licensed therapist to explore what options are available for you.
- It is not necessary to reduce XANAX dose in patients who have been taking ritonavir for more than 10 to 14 days.
- Adams maintained a manufacturing operation at a secluded lake house outside Sullivan, Missouri.
- Here’s some information about herbs, supplements, and Xanax treatment.
- This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Xanax.
The manufacturer does not recommend a specific dose for this purpose. The information that follows describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. To learn more about Xanax XR’s dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The drug is usually presented in orange or bluish-colored tablets, cylindrical, biconvex, and slotted on one side to facilitate taking the appropriate doses. Most people will feel the strongest impacts from the drug for one to two hours.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
No evidence of carcinogenic potential was observed in rats or mice administered alprazolam for 2-years at doses up to 30 and 10 mg/kg day respectively. These doses are 29 times and 4.8 times the maximum recommended human dose of 10 mg/day based on mg/m2 body surface area, respectively. Patients with alcoholic liver disease exhibit a longer elimination half-life (19.7 hours), compared to healthy subjects (11.4 hours). This may be caused by decreased clearance of alprazolam in patients with alcoholic liver disease. Dosage reduction of XANAX is recommended in patients with hepatic impairment see Dosage and Administration (2.4), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3).
What Are The Side Effects Of Alprazolam?
In geriatric patients, the recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX is 0.25 mg, given 2 or 3 times daily. This may be gradually increased if needed and tolerated. 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). While off-label uses are often safe and effective, you may be able to find an option for difficulty sleeping that’s safer than Xanax. Benzodiazepines (the drug group Xanax belongs to) have a higher risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms than other drugs that treat this condition.
- Advise patients not to drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery while taking XANAX due to its CNS depressant effects.
- Store alprazolam in a safe place to protect it from theft.
- If they recommend that you take an opioid while using Xanax, they will discuss the risks with you.
- For more information about the risks of misuse and addiction with Xanax, see the boxed warning information at the start of this article.
Off-label drug use is when an FDA approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for. You’re more likely to have withdrawal symptoms after stopping Xanax treatment if you’ve been taking the drug for a long time or at a high dose. However, these symptoms can also affect anyone who stops taking Xanax. This means it takes about 2.5 days for Xanax to be fully removed from your body.
What May Interact With This Medication?
There’s not a specific lowest dose that’s usually prescribed. When stopping Xanax, you’ll likely do it slowly using a taper schedule. This will help decrease your risk of withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about what your dosage taper schedule will be. Another form of Xanax is available, which is called Xanax XR.
GENERIC NAME: ALPRAZOLAM – ORAL (al-PRA-zoe-lam)
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. With dependence, your body becomes reliant on a drug to function as usual. If you suddenly stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on, you could experience side effects known as withdrawal symptoms. You should take Xanax exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If This SPL Contains Inactivated NDCs Listed By The FDA Initiated Compliance Action, They Will Be Specified As Such
Xanax should be used with caution in elderly or weak patients, and in those with lung disease, alcoholic liver disease, or any disorder that could hinder the elimination of the drug. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Xanax. Your doctor should periodically reassess the need for this drug.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing. You may also experience swelling under your skin, often in your lips, eyelids, hands, or feet. Many drugs, including Xanax, can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect was reported after the drug’s initial studies were completed. Xanax may cause serious side effects, but this isn’t common.
If you take more than 4 mg of Xanax per day for this condition, your doctor may eventually suggest lowering your dosage. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. For additional information about allergic reaction, see the “Allergic reaction” section that follows.
If you drink alcohol, it’s best to avoid drinking it while taking Xanax. Alcohol and Xanax can reduce the activity of your central nervous system (CNS). So consuming alcohol with Xanax can lower the activity further.
“Start low and go slow with increases is a good mantra to follow for anyone,” he says. This advice is especially important for older individuals who may be at a higher risk for impaired cognition and mobility as well as an increased risk of falls when taking a benzodiazepine. Advise patients, their families, and caregivers to look for signs of suicidality or worsening depression, and to inform the patient’s healthcare provider immediately see Warnings and Precautions (5.6). Advise patients not to drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery while taking XANAX due to its CNS depressant effects. Also advise patients to avoid use of alcohol or other CNS depressants while taking XANAX see Warnings and Precautions (5.3). Most of the interactions that have been documented with alprazolam are with drugs that modulate CYP3A4 activity.
