Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks.
Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines.
It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ) comes
as a tablet and a concentrated solution (liquid) to
take by mouth. It usually is taken two to four times
a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label
carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part you
do not understand. Take Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
exactly as directed.
To take the concentrated liquid, use only the dropper
that came with your prescription. Draw into the dropper
the amount prescribed for one dose. Squeeze the dropper
contents into a liquid or semi-solid fo ink or eat the
entire mixture immediately. Do not store for future
use.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of
Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
and gradually increase your dose, not more than once
every 3 or 4 days.
Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose or take
it more often or for a longer time than your doctor
tells you to. Do not stop taking Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
without talking to your doctor. Suddenly stopping to
take Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
may worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms
(anxiousness, sleeplessness, irritability, and seizures).
Withdrawal symptoms may be worse if you take more than
4 mg of Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
every day. Your doctor will decrease your dose gradually.
Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
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.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask
your doctor for more information.
Cautions
Before taking Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ), tell your
doctor if you are allergic to Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ), chlordiazepoxide
(Librium, Librax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate
(Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam
(Dalmane), halazepam (Paxipam), lorazepam (Ativan),
oxazepam (Serax), prazepam (Centrax), quazepam (Doral),
temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), or any other
medications.
do not take Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ) if you are
taking itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral).
tell your doctor what other prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and
herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any
of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
antidepressants (mood elevators) such as desipramine
(Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), and nefazodone (Serzone);
antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan); antihistamines;
cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor,
Tiazac); ergotamine (Cafatine, Cafergot, Wigraine, others);
erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); isoniazid
(INH, Nydrazid); medications for mental illness and
seizures; nicardipine (Cardene); nifedipine (Adalat,
Procardia); oral contraceptives (birth control pills);
propoxyphene (Darvon); selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem),
fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline
(Zoloft); sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications
or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma;
depression; or lung, kidney, or liver disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant
while taking Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ), call your doctor immediately.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax )
you should know that Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ) may make you drowsy.
Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know
how this medication affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused
by this medication.
Directions
Talk to your doctor about drinking
grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not
take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Side Effects
Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ) may cause side effects.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe
or do not go away:
drowsiness
light-headedness
tiredness
dizziness
irritability
talkativeness
dry mouth
increased salivation
changes in sex drive or ability
changes in appetite
weight changes
difficulty urinating
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms
are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call
your doctor immediately:
seizures
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
severe skin rash
yellowing of the skin or eyes
memory problems
confusion
problems with coordination
Alprazolam
( Xanax, Alplax ) may cause other side
effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems
while taking this medication.
Storage Conditions
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly
closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room
temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not
in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is
outdated or no longer needed.
