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Medicine, Its Use And Remidies for Ailments - Alprazolam
Xanax (Zan-ax) is a medicine which is used in anxiety with depression and treatment of anxiety. Xanax contains alprazolam.
Xanax is a medicine which helps to control feelings of anxiety. It makes people feel less agitated and less tense.
Xanax should only be used at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible time. After four weeks of treatment the need to extend treatment to the maximum of 12 weeks will be reviewed. This will minimise the chance of tolerance, dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Reducing the dose of Xanax gradually over time may reduce the chances of having these problems.
Some people, in the course of taking Xanax for anxiety, may find that an undiagnosed psychiatric condition, such as depression, becomes apparent. People who have a psychiatric condition and who are taking Xanax may experience some changes in behaviour.
Xanax may cause you to have some memory problems. You may have no memory of what happened from the time you took the medicine until the time when its effects have worn off. These effects may be reduced by having uninterrupted sleep for seven to eight hours after taking Xanax.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
When to take your medicine
Some medicines work best if they are taken at a specific time of day. Getting the most from your medicine can also be affected by what you eat, when you eat and the times at which you take other medicines. Make sure you follow any specific instructions given to you by your prescriber or that are in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine.
How to take your medicine
Some medicines have specific instructions about how to take them. This is because they work better when taken correctly. These instructions can include getting the right dose and special instructions for preparing the medicine.
- swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water
- you can break this form of medicine in half. There is a breakline to help you break the medicine into two pieces
If you are having problems taking this form of Xanax, you should talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to give you advice on other ways to take your medicine or other preparations that are easier for you to take.
Taking too much of your medicine
Taking extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems. If you take extra doses of your medicine, you must get medical advice immediately. You may need a test to assess the effect of taking extra doses. This is because the effects of taking too much medicine are very complex and it is therefore essential that you seek medical advice.
Contact your prescriber, pharmacist or specialist clinic for advice.
Make sure you take all of your medicine containers with you if you are advised to go to hospital.
Stopping your medicine
If you are not having any problems taking this medicine then do not stop taking it, even if you feel better, unless advised to do so by your prescriber. If, however, you find that this medicine is causing you problems then you should talk to your prescriber about your concerns.
If your medical team decides that it is best that you do not take this medicine any more, they may advise that you do not stop Xanax abruptly. This is because, in some instances, stopping Xanax abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms or cause your original condition to return. In these instances, reducing the dose of Xanax gradually over time may reduce the chances of having these problems.
If you are in any doubt, contact your prescriber, pharmacist or specialist clinic.
Looking after your medicine
The instructions on how you should keep your medicine are on the pharmacy label. It is a good idea to keep your medicine in the original container. This will help to keep your medicine in the best condition and also allow you to check the instructions. Do not take the medicine if the packaging appears to have been tampered with or if the medicine shows any signs of damage. Make sure that the medicine is out of the sight and reach of children.
- do not store in temperatures above 25°C
- if your medicine comes in a bottle you should store it in the original container
- if your medicine comes as a blister pack you should store it in the outer carton
You must not take the medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have any unused medicine, return it to your pharmacist who will dispose of it safely.
Is this medicine suitable for you?
Xanax is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may not prescribe this medicine if you:
- are a child
- are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- are allergic to benzodiazepines
- are an alcoholic or have abused alcohol in the past
- are elderly
- are misusing drugs or have misused drugs in the past
- are taking Xanax for a long time
- have a personality disorder
- have breathing problems
- have depression
- have had violent or aggressive behavioural problems
- have kidney problems
- have liver problems
- have myasthenia gravis
- have post traumatic stress disorder
- have psychiatric problems
- have psychoses
- have sleep apnoea syndrome
Over time it is possible that Xanax can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Xanax has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Side Effects
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience. Very occasionally, certain side-effects can be beneficial.
Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown
- abnormal laboratory test results
- anorexia
- brain and central nervous system problems in people who have liver problems
- changes in libido
- changes in weight
- confusion
- coordination problems
- dizziness
- dose tolerance
- double or blurred vision
- drowsiness or sedation
- eye or eyesight problems
- feeling anxious
- feeling emotionally numb
- feeling nervous
- feelings of hostility and unusual thoughts in people with post-traumatic stress disorder
- gastrointestinal problems
- headaches
- incontinence
- jaundice
- light-headedness
- liver problems
- memory problems
- menstrual problems
- metabolic problems
- movement disorders
- musculoskeletal weakness
- physical and physiological dependence that may lead to drug abuse
- precipitation of suicide in people with depression
- psychiatric and paradoxical reactions - if any of these occur you should tell your prescriber. You should particularly look out for: feelings of restlessness, agitation or aggression, feeling irritable, delusion, rages, nightmares, hallucinations, psychoses or changes in behaviour
- rebound insomnia and anxiety - this may be accompanied by other reactions including mood changes, sleep disturbances and restlessness
- reduced alertness
- sexual dysfunction
- skin problems
- sleeping problems
- speech problems
- tiredness
- tremors
- uncovering depression
- urinary retention
- withdrawal symptoms can occur when this medicine is stopped abruptly or the dose is decreased too quickly. These include headaches, muscle cramps or muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, dysphoria, sleeping problems, irritability, stomach cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremor, derealisation, depersonalisation, numbness and tingling of the extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise and physical contact, hallucinations or convulsions
If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse.
Taking other medicines
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
The following medicines may interact with Xanax:
- cimetidine
- diltiazem
- erythromycin
- fluoxetine
- fluvoxamine
- itraconazole
- ketoconazole
- nefazodone
- propoxyphene
- ritonavir
- sertraline
- troleandomycin
The following types of medicine may interact with Xanax:
- azole antifungals
- CNS depressants such as antipsychotics, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, antiepileptics, sedative antihistamines and anaesthetics
- HIV protease inhibitors
- liver enzyme inhibitors
- macrolides
- oral contraceptives
If you are taking Xanax and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.
Make sure you tell your prescriber the names of all the complementary preparations and vitamins that you are taking or are planning to take.
Your prescriber can then advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins will have on your condition.
- there are no known interactions between Xanax and any complementary preparations or vitamins
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
Driving and operating machinery
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
- this medicine could affect your ability to drive or operate machinery
You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
- there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when taking Xanax
Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
- alcohol increases the sedative effects of Xanax
You must not drink any alcohol if you are taking this medicine.
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
- you should only take this medicine during pregnancy if your doctor thinks that you need it
- if you become pregnant, or think you have become pregnant while taking Xanax, you must contact your prescriber
- if you take this medicine during your pregnancy, your baby may have some problems after birth. Also, if you repeatedly take this medicine during the late stages of pregnancy, your baby may come to be physically dependent on Xanax. This may lead to your baby having withdrawal symptoms from Xanax after birth
You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.
If the decision is that you should not have Xanax, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
- women who are breast-feeding should not take this medicine
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. If you wish to breast-feed you should discuss with your prescriber whether there are any other medicines you could take which would also allow you to breast-feed. You should not stop this medicine without taking advice from your doctor.
Ingredients
Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. They are also added to improve the medicine's taste and appearance and to make it easier to take. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.
You should check that you are able to take the ingredients in your medicine, especially if you have any allergies.
- alprazolam
- colloidal anhydrous silica
- docusate sodium with sodium benzoate
- lactose monohydrate
- magnesium stearate
- maize starch
- microcrystalline cellulose
If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Xanax before, do not take Xanax. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.
Disclaimer - eHealth Treats does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. Consulting a Qualified Medical Practitioner is always recommended. eHealth Treats does not and should not be taken as a substitute for a Qualified Medical Practitioner.
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