What Is Xanax (Alprazolam) Used For?

Medicament Alprazolam, which is known under numerous brand names (for example, Xanax), works like a tranquilizer. It’s a drug that belongs to the thienobenzodiazepine group. In other words, it’s a fusion of benzodiazepines and triazole.

Usually, doctors prescribe Xanax for managing serious anxiety conditions. They are panic and generalized anxiety. The medicament exists in the form of pills and requires some time to start fully working. When treating anxiety symptoms, a least one week of uninterrupted treatment is necessary. When dealing with panic disorders, the effects might appear faster.

Managing Panic Attacks with Xanax

If you experience fear or panic coming from nowhere, that might be a sign of having a panic attack. If these attacks are common in your life, there’s a high chance that you’re suffering from a panic disorder. In this case, your doctor may prescribe Xanax for you. The medicament will improve your condition by decreasing the intensity of your attacks or stopping them.

Xanax (Alprazolam) for treating panic disorders cannot be prescribed in Australia. The main reason is the high level of addiction to the drug. According to research, 10 weeks of treatment with Xanax is enough to form such an addiction. However, this medicament can be prescribed for a much longer period – up to 12 months.

The US doctors, however, believe that Xanax is an amazing treatment for panic disorders if the patient shows no signs of addiction or tolerance.

Xanax (Alprazolam) for Treating Generalized Anxiety Condition

This condition is known as GAD. What are its signs? The first and main symptom of GAD is an increased level of anxiety towards everyday routine and life. Constant feelings of disaster and despair about money, family, health and other important things are the most common signs as well.

It has been proved that Xanax is effective in dealing with depression and GAD, even though there aren’t many studies and research about it. When treating anxiety disorders with Xanax, it’s important not to take the drug for longer than 4 months. If taking Xanax longer than indicated in the previous sentence, the patient might feel dependent on this medication.

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How to Take Xanax?

If your doctor decides that your condition requires treatment with Xanax (Alprazolam), then it is probably the best action for your case. Stick to the doctor’s recommendation and be sure to take the medicament correctly:

• Don’t crush or break the tablet, especially if taking XR form.
• Do not take Xanax for more than 4 months (in case of treating anxiety) or more than 10 weeks (when dealing with panic attacks).
• If taking Xanax for a week doesn’t change your condition, contact your doctor and ask about further actions. Don’t perform any self-treatment, like increasing dosage or changing medication.
• If you take Xanax for a long period, pay special attention to your liver and kidneys, get tested on a regular basis.
• When the time to stop using Xanax comes, gradually decrease the amount of the drug. Otherwise, you may experience numerous withdrawal effects.
• For storing the medicament, get acquainted with the instructions in the leaflet carefully. Keep Xanax away from heat, light, and moisture exposure.

When should I NOT take Xanax?

First: despite Xanax’s amazing ability to relieve anxiety and panic attacks, this drug is not for everyone. Patients with respiratory system issues, past addictions, suicidal thoughts, depression, kidney or liver diseases aren’t allowed to take it.

Second: never take Xanax if you’re currently taking antifungal drugs or suffer from allergic reactions to benzodiazepine medicaments.

Third: Xanax is not good for pregnant women. The drug may result in the fetus’s dependency multiple withdrawal symptoms.

Safe Dosage: Tips

In the last part of this article, we will share information on Xanax dosage. The first rule here is to always listen to what your doctor says. The truth is that Xanax dosage can be different for various types of patients (everyone has a unique medical history, age, and gender matter too).

Adults should limit themselves to 10 mg maximum per day. Mostly, the 0.5 mg immediate-release tablets should be taken 3 times a day, and the XR tablets – only once a day per day (since they contain 3-6 mg).

The treatment of elder patients requires a smaller dosage: 0.25 mg, no more than 3 times a day. If XR tablets are used for treatment, 0.5 mg should be the first dose.

Final and important tips to remember:

• The doctor determines the minimum dose based on your condition.
• In most cases, the initial dose is lower than the amount of the drug to be taken during the rest of the treatment.
• As you prepare to finish the course of treatment, the amount of Xanax should be lowered little by little.

If taking immediate-release tablets, your daily dosage should be evenly split.