Xanax used for
Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine that is used as an anxiolytic medicine to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders.
Dosage
The administration of Xanax at a dosage range from 0.25 to 0.5 mg, delivered three times day, should be used to begin treatment for patients experiencing anxiety. In cases when Xanax is required for the treatment of panic disorders, doses greater than 4 mg daily may be required.
Dosage In anxiety disorder
For the acute therapy of patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the suggested first oral dosage of XANAX is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg, delivered three times daily. The dosage may be adjusted at intervals of 3 to 4 days depending on the individual’s response. The maximum suggested dose is 4 mg per day, divided into two doses.
Dosage in panic disorder
The suggested starting dose of XANAX for the treatment of panic disorder (PD) is 0.5 mg three times daily. Depending on the individual’s response, the dosage may be increased every 3–4 days by 1 mg each day.
Clinical trials including XANAX in the treatment of panic disorder used dosages ranging from 1 mg to 10 mg daily, with an average of 5 mg to 6 mg daily. Some patients required doses as high as 10 mg per day on occasion.
Patients taking daily doses greater than 4 mg should undergo frequent review and consider dosage decrease. Individuals treated with XANAX at doses greater than 4 mg daily for 3 months demonstrated the capacity to taper down to 50% of their total maintenance dose without any compromise in clinical benefit in a controlled post marketing dose-response study.
Xanax may have serious negative effects such as:
- Depressed state
- Suicidal ideation or suicidal tendencies
- Thoughts that race
- Increased energy levels
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Hostility
- Hallucinations
- Muscle contractions that are not voluntary
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Fluttering sensations in the chest or pounding heartbeats
Common adverse effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Insomnia (difficulties sleeping)
- Memory impairment
- Reduced balance or coordination
- Sloppy speech
- Concentration issues
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- increased perspiration
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Xanax may interact with a variety of drugs and medications.
- Alcohol
Other sedative pharmaceuticals (such as cold or allergy medicine, other sedatives, narcotic pain medication, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and seizures, depression, or anxiety meds)
- Pills for birth control
- Cimetidine
- Cyclosporine
- Ergotamine Dexamethasone
- Imatinib
- Isoniazid
- The herb St. John’s wort
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Antidepressants
- Barbiturates
- Medication for HIV/AIDS
- Medication for seizures
It is critical to inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking.
During pregnancy
Because benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, have the potential to cause fetal defects, they should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Xanax is secreted in human milk, potentially endangering breastfeeding newborns. As a result, breastfeeding is not recommended while receiving Xanax medication.
Precaution
Concurrent use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX, and opioids increases the risk of deep drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Due to hazards, these are advised. drugs be prescribed concurrently only to patients who have exhausted all other treatment alternatives.
If it is decided to prescribe XANAX alongside opioids, the lowest effective doses and shortest durations of concurrent usage are indicated, with continuous monitoring for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and drowsiness. It is recommended to prescribe for patients who are already receiving opioid analgesic medication.
Patients using daily doses greater than 4 mg should be reviewed on a regular basis and their dosage reduced if necessary. In a controlled post marketing dose-response research, individuals treated with XANAX at dosages greater than 4 mg daily for 3 months demonstrated the ability to taper down to 50% of their total maintenance dose without compromising clinical benefit.
