What is Xanax (Alprazolam)?

Alprazolam is a medicament that is mostly known under the brand name Xanax. This drug is a tranquilizer, which belongs to the thienobenzodiazepine group. To put it simply, it’s a compound consisting of benzodiazepines and triazole.

Xanax is widely used to deal with numerous anxiety conditions. Such disorders as panic and generalized anxiety can be treated with the help of this medicine. When it comes to choosing a form, there’s not much choice. Normally, it’s a pill. According to doctors, it requires at least one week of treatment to notice positive changes and reduced symptoms of anxiety. However, when managing panic disorders, effects will appear faster.

Does Xanax Help To Treat Panic Disorder?

If you suddenly experience fear or panic, there’s a high chance that you’re suffering from panic attacks. If these feelings are with you regularly, you may have panic disorder. People with such a diagnosis are often prescribed Xanax. The medicine helps to reduce the level of panic attacks or even stop them.

Not all countries allow doctors to use Xanax (Alprazolam) for managing the panic disorder. For example, it’s banned in Australia because it may cause addiction. Such cases are described after observing patients who were taking Xanax for 10 weeks. Sometimes, the medicine can be taken up to 12 months.

Unlike Australian doctors, experts from the US are confident that Xanax is a great method for dealing with panic disorders. The patient, however, shouldn’t show any signs of tolerance or dependence on the drug.

Managing Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Xanax (Alprazolam)

This disorder is shortly referred to as GAD. In simple words, this condition is marked by an increased level of anxiety when thinking of ordinary tasks and life. The unreasonable expectation of doom and disaster in relation to health, money, or family are often the signs.

Patients with depression and GAD felt better after taking Xanax, although there are not many studies about the positive outcome. On average, Xanax should be taken for a maximum of 4 months if a patient’s disorder is related to anxiety. Longer treatment with Xanax might lead to the opposite outcome and growth of dependence.

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How Do I Have To Use Xanax?

When your doctor suggests that you should take Xanax (Alprazolam), it might be the best possible solution in your situation. Stick to the words of your doctor about the correct usage of the medicine and remember these simple rules:

• The XR tablet should be taken as a whole (don’t break it).
• Your treatment with Xanax should not exceed 4 months (anxiety disorder) or 10 weeks (panic attacks).
• If you don’t feel better after taking Xanax for at least a week, it’s time to contact your doctor and reassess the course of treatment. Don’t attempt to find solutions yourself by increasing the amount of medicament of changing it.
• The liver or kidneys are affected by the medicine. When you take Xanax for long periods, be sure to get tested regularly.
• As your treatment with Xanax comes to an end, keep lowering your dosage daily. In this case, you wouldn’t be suffering from withdrawal effects.
• Get acquainted with the instructions provided by the manufacturer to learn more about the proper storage. If possible, keep Xanax away from heat, light and moisture exposure.

In What Cases Should I NOT take Xanax?

Despite being the number one drug for relieving panic attacks and anxiety, Xanax cannot be used for treating patients with the following conditions: respiratory issues, history of past addictions, suicidal thoughts, depression, kidney or liver diseases.

Another group of the patient that is forbidden to take Xanax is people who take antifungal medicines or are allergic to benzodiazepine drugs.

Pregnancy is not the best time for taking Xanax. The drug could develop the fetus’s dependency or result in withdrawal symptoms.

Information on Dosage

In the final part of this article, we are going to share important info on Xanax dosage. First rule: your doctor’s advice is the most valuable one. Xanax dosage differs depending on a patient’s medical history, age and gender.

For adults, the daily recommended dosage should be 10 mg max. Take the 0.5 mg immediate-release tablets 3 times a day or the XR tablets (3-6 mg) – once a day.

For seniors, the daily recommended dosage is 0.25 mg, taken no more than 3 times. If using XR tablets, 0.5 mg should be the first dosage.

General tips:

• Your condition should be the basis for deciding the amount of minimum dosage.
• The first dose should always be small and increase throughout the treatment.
• The dosage of Xanax should be steadily decreasing closer to the end of the treatment.
• When taking immediate-release tablets, split the dosages evenly throughout the day.