A Short Xanax Consumer Guide
Manufacturer: |
Pharmacia Corp.; Pfizer and others. |
Brand/Trade Name: |
Xanax |
Generic Name (Active Ingredient): |
alprazolam |
Potentially Addictive? |
It can be very addictive. |
Approved Strengths: |
Regular tablets: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg Orally disintegrating tablets also available. |
Dose Form: |
Traditional and extended release tablets |
Appearance |
Varied |
FDA Approval: |
1970s |
FDA Approved Usage: |
Anxiety and panic disorders; Also is frequently used for convulsions and insomnia. |
The info about Xanax (alprazolam) on this page is meant for reference purposes only. If you need to be treated or diagnosed, your first step is to make an appointment with a psychiatrist.
It is also highly advisable that you consult a medical doctor. This will rule out any physical problems and complications.
Provided on this page is a detailed description of Xanax and the components of it. This is presented to you so that you can further understand the role of this medication.
The role of this medication is more evident in the description of its properties. The components of Xanax are very similar to that of most benzodiazepine medications.
The Properties of Xanax (alprazolam)
The main properties of Xanax are the anxiolytic, sedative/hypnotic, muscle relaxant, amnesic, or anticonvulsant properties. These help with a variety of functions, such as calming a person down and stabilizing nervous system activity.
Anxiolytic-If you are struggling with higher than normal anxiety levels, this component of Xanax helps calms you. It hits certain nerve receptors and inhibits the sending and receiving of signals that causes racing thoughts and other fear-based psychical and psychological symptoms.
Sedative/Hypnotic-If you want to fall asleep faster this portion of the alprazolam medication provides you with that ability. When you take the right dose, it relaxes your system in just the right way that you feel more rested and you fall asleep quicker.
Muscle relaxant-One of the reasons people cannot fall asleep is because their muscles are tense. Either that or they might always feel restless with the constant need to move around. Therefore, this property of Xanax puts a stop to that agitated feeling and this further helps a person gain a peaceful rest. It also helps people function throughout the day with minimum pain.
Amnesic-In order to restore reality, this property of medication is quite beneficial. Users can think of this portion of medication as a way to feel more grounded. It can help a person who has suffered anxiety that results from past traumas, and helps a person who might be spaced out.
Anticonvulsant-In order to stop seizure activity, this medication is used and this is the property that accomplishes that. It slows the contractions that even sometimes cause pain and involuntary limb movement, especially in small children. It also helps bring a person back to consciousness and reality after spacing out.
Speed and Duration of Results
It does not take alprazolam very long to work at all. Usually the time it takes for this drug to enter the bloodstream and take affect is only between 15 to 30 minutes. The response time is considerably shorter that that if taken with an IV. Usually this medication stays in the system for a couple of hours.
Typical and Maximum Doses
The typical dose of someone on Xanax is approximately to 3 mg, with occasionally the maximum dosage being higher than that. The exact dosage that someone would take would depend upon a variety of factors such as severity and frequency of symptoms as well as other medications taken. The health history of a person also matters.
Side Effects
Side effects of Xanax users occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is just a minor reaction to the drug itself. However, other times it may because they have taken it with something they should not take it with, such as another medication like it or other antidepressants.
If a person either knowingly or unknowingly uses this medication with grapefruit that might be another reason for a bad reaction. Whatever the reason, people might need to know and understand the nature of this drug.
Common side effects of alprazolam include the following:
Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, hives, difficulty breathing; swollen face, lips, throat, and tongue and suicidal thoughts. Additional problems associated with this drug include slurred speech, dry mouth, increased appetite, or sexual drive changes.
Discontinued Usage
You need to be careful about how you discontinue using this medication. You should not suddenly stop taking it without consultation of your medical doctor or psychiatrist.
If you are not sure if it is working for you or if it is becoming addictive to you, then talk to the person in charge of monitoring your dosage. This mental health or medical professional will then help gradually remove you from Xanax so that chance of serious side effects are decreased.
Usage Precautions
Be careful not to take more than the recommended dosage. If you are becoming tempted to take more than you should to relieve symptoms call your doctor or mental health caretaker immediately.
There is nothing to be ashamed about as your health and safety is paramount. It is always better to be safe than sorry if you are developing a tolerance to this medication.
Be careful not to overdose either. Make sure you find out from your doctor what the precautions are to take in the event you may take an extra dose by accident. You can also call the poison control center, or if you are experiencing a bad reaction call for emergency help immediately.
Overdose Warnings
The effects of overdose are highly unpredictable. Furthermore, the severity of a reaction as a result of an overdose depends upon a variety of factors.
The least severe reactions are dizziness and lightheadness. However, a person could end up feeling like he or she is going to faint, or a person may have difficulty staying awake.
The fatality of this medication drastically increases if it is taken with alcohol-especially if you intentionally take far more than you should. Other deadly or potentially dangerous combinations include mixing this drug with other antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds, as well as common cough medicines or allergy medications.
Since the consequences are so unpredictable, you are strongly advised to be careful. If you are the one to whom this medication is prescribed than you are the only one who should use it.
If you are not the one to whom this medication is prescribed you should stop using it immediately. Recreational users are at higher risk of overdose because they are not properly evaluated before use of the drug.
In Case of Missed Dose
If you forgot to take a dose of your medication do not think that taking a double dose of it is a good idea. There is no guarantee what will happen if you do. If you take too much of this medication at one time it could cause drowsiness at the very least and could interfere with daily activities.
Overdose Emergency Care
Depending upon the severity of reaction to an overdose, you may need to go to the emergency room. If you are having difficulty breathing or feel like you are going to faint this is a sure sign you need help immediately.
However, if you have knowledge that you for some reason took an extra dose and are not yet experiencing problems you may not need to go to the emergency room. In this case, if it is not after hours you can contact a doctor or psychologist or you can talk to someone at the poison center.
Drug Forms
Usually people receive it in regular or extended release tablets. It also comes in orally disintegrating tablets. The form and dosage amount varies for each person.