Main Info About Xanax (Alprazolam)

Ever heard of the drug called Alprazolam? It’s because it has multiple brand names. Xanax is the most famous of them. This medicine is known for its tranquilizing effect. It belongs to the thienobenzodiazepine group: simply saying, it’s a compound containing benzodiazepines and triazole.

The main aim of prescribing Xanax is to mitigate anxiety disorders, including panic and GAD. In general, the medicine exists in the form of pills to be taken by a mouth. The patient with anxiety should keep taking it for a week if he wants to see the results. People who suffer from panic disorders may see the effects faster.

Dealing with Panic Disorder with the help of Xanax

When you are overwhelmed with the feelings of fear or panic that come unexpectedly, it may indicate that you are having panic attacks. If this condition is repetitive, there may be a huge chance that you’re suffering from a panic disorder. In this case, your doctor may think of prescribing Xanax to decrease the intensity of panic attacks or stop them.

Although Xanax (Alprazolam) is an effective treatment for panic disorder, it has been banned in such countries as Australia. The reason is the possibility of getting addicted. The 10-weeks research has proved that a patient may form an addiction to Xanax, however, the full course of treatment may last up to 12 months.

Unlike their colleagues from Australia, US doctors still believe in the efficacy of Xanax. It shows great results when treating panic disorders. Of course, the patient should have zero level of tolerance or dependence on the drug.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be treated by Xanax (Alprazolam)

GAD is another condition that is characterized by huge level of anxiety when it comes to performing daily routine or life in general. The patients with this disorder constantly expect doom and disaster in relation to their health, finance, or family. Normally, these symptoms appear without any particular reason.

Despite the lack of studies, Xanax is still very effective for dealing with GAD or depression. The course of treatment may take up to 4 months since anxiety is a serious disorder. On the other hand, taking Xanax for prolonged periods may lead to dependence and result in the opposite effect.

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How Do I Take Xanax?

Trust your doctor’s opinion. If Xanax (Alprazolam) is prescribed for your symptoms, it means that this medicine is the best possible solution in your case. Listen to the doctor or pharmacist’s recommendations before taking the medicine. In general, be sure to follow these:

• The XR form of the pill should be swallowed as a whole (don’t attempt to crush or break it).
• Remember about the correct length of taking Xanax: it’s up to 4 months for anxiety disorder and up to 10 weeks for panic attacks.
• The first result shall appear after 1 week of taking Xanax. If there are none, consult your doctor. Don’t do self-treatment: changing or increasing dosages without expert advice is dangerous.
• Xanax may affect such organs as the liver or kidneys. In case of prolonged treatment, be sure to get tested regularly.
• As you intend to finish taking Xanax, consider the following: slowly decrease the dosage with time. If you don’t do that, you may experience multiple withdrawal effects.
• Storing the drug is not that complicated. Read the leaflet that comes with the box and follow the instructions. Xanax shouldn’t be kept in a place where it can be exposed to heat, light and moisture.

When it’s forbidden to take Xanax?

Despite the ability of Xanax to reduce the signs of anxiety and panic disorder, the drug won’t help the patients with the issues of the respiratory system, previous addictions, thoughts about suicide, state of depression, kidney or liver diseases.

If you’re currently being treated with any kind of antifungal medicines or suffer from allergic reactions to benzodiazepine drugs, do not take Xanax as well.

Xanax shouldn’t be prescribed to pregnant women as it could lead to dependency for the fetus and numerous withdrawal symptoms after the end of treatment.

Practical Info on safe Dosage

The final part of our article will be related to the correct dosage of Xanax. First of all, the doctor’s recommendations are the most valuable information. In general, Xanax dosage is unique for each patient (as it depends on the medical history, age and gender).

Grown-up patients should not take more than 10 mg a day. Depending on the form of your pills, you should consume them as per the following: the 0.5 mg immediate-release tablets – 3 times a day, the extended-release tablets (3-6 mg) – once a day.

For seniors, the dosage is lower: the 0.25 mg pill can be taken up to 3 times a day. If prescribed the extended-release tablets, the 0.5 mg pill should be the initial dose.

Finally, consider the following tips:

• The minimum dose is always prescribed to treat one condition only.
• The first dose is normally smaller than the dosage you take during the rest of the treatment.
• The dosage of Xanax should be gradually decreased as the treatment comes to an end.
• If prescribed immediate-release tablets, the dosage should be split evenly.