If the patient needs a higher dose, it should be given gradually in order to avoid adverse effects. Alprazolam is available in generic form, and you need a prescription from your doctor or other health-care professional to obtain this drug. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of alprazolam and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 3 or 4 days.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

• They may adjust your dose every 3 to 4 days until you’re taking the dose that’s right for you.
• This article focuses on the Xanax immediate-release tablet.
• Those in recovery may be temporarily prescribed other medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, such as longer-acting benzodiazepines.
• Here are some tips for managing the effects mentioned in Xanax’s boxed warnings.
• Xanax belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Xanax XR is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. Your medical professional may increase your dosage every few days until your symptoms are well managed.

Another form of Xanax is available, which is called Xanax XR. This form of the drug is used to treat panic disorder only. This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Xanax XR.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, feeling light-headed, fainting, and coma. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

If you know someone with a Xanax dependency or suspect you are dependent on Xanax, you can get treatment for your benzodiazepine addiction. In fact, we offer treatment for individuals who are dependent on Xanax or another benzodiazepine at Illinois Recovery Center. It’s important to understand that snorting Xanax is dangerous. It can lead to severe damage of the nasal passages, nosebleeds and even lung problems. Although the effects of Xanax generally begin within 20 to 30 minutes, snorting the drug brings on a host of immediate side effects.

• The side effects of Alprazolam are similar to other benzodiazepines.
• Patients treated with flumazenil should be monitored for re-sedation, respiratory depression, and other residual benzodiazepine effects for an appropriate period after treatment.
• But it’s best to talk with your medical professional or pharmacist before using any new drugs while taking Xanax.
• Controlled trials of XANAX in the treatment of panic disorder included dosages in the range of 1 mg to 10 mg daily.

What types of treatment are available for individuals with Xanax dependency?

Xanax XR may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Xanax XR should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Do not crush, chew, or break a Xanax extended-release tablet. It is specially made to release alprazolam slowly in the body. Breaking the tablet would cause too much alprazolam to be released at one time.

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does. 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. Your doctor will determine your dose of Xanax based on your body’s reaction to the drug rather than Xanax dosing by weight.

How Effective is Alprazolam (Xanax) for Anxiety?

General supportive measures should be employed, along with immediate gastric lavage. Intravenous fluids should be administered and an adequate airway maintained. As with the management of intentional overdosing with any drug, it should can u inject xanax be borne in mind that multiple agents may have been ingested. Use the lowest possible effective dose and frequently assess the need for continued treatment see Warnings and Precautions (5.2).

Xanax Dosage

Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how often you should take this medication. You shouldn’t take more than your prescription label directs. Like all benzodiazepine drugs, Xanax increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – a neurotransmitter that lowers nerve impulses throughout the body – in the brain. As a central nervous system depressant, Xanax slows down the nervous system, offering users a calm, relaxed feeling while providing effects such as sedation and relaxation. 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.

Eventually, if you stop taking the medicine, your anxiety will always come back. Alprazolam is one of the most prescribed medications in the world. One might say that it’s prescribed too often, because most people are given Alprazolam by doctors, not psychologists. No medication should be a person’s first choice when they’re trying to manage their anxiety, rather medication needs to be a last resort, after you’ve tried other non-mediciated options.

Smoking Xanax is not safe as doing so can lead to dangerous and even life-threatening side effects. In particular, Xanax shouldn’t be smoked with other substances, especially other central nervous system depressants like cannabis, due to the increased risk of side effects such as slowed breathing. Meanwhile, heating Xanax could potentially change how it works and its effects. If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It may take as little as 10 minutes and usually no longer than an hour for the Alprazolam to start working. Alprazolam (Xanax) has moderate interactions with at least 264 different drugs. This medication must be prescribed by a doctor and is available by prescription only. Since Xanax can interact with a long list of prescription and over-the-counter medications, be sure to disclose to your doctor what medications you are currently taking. Benzodiazepines like Xanax are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity and relax the muscles.