What is Alprazolam?

Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that has similar effects to the anti-anxiety drug diazepam (Valium) but at a lower dosage. It’s prescribed for people who suffer from anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or panic attacks.

What to know before taking alprazolam?

Avoid using alprazolam if:

  • You also take antifungal medications such as ketoconazole or itraconazole.
  • Any benzodiazepine, including Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Tranxene, Valium, Versed, Xanax, and alprazolam, could have caused an allergic reaction in the past.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure alprazolam is safe for you:

  • drug or alcohol addiction; respiratory conditions like sleep apnea (breathing that stops during sleep) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
  • depression, emotional instability, suicidal ideation or actions, liver or kidney disease (particularly alcoholic liver disease),

If you have gotten pregnant or plan to get pregnant, you need to let your doctor know. Alprazolam might be hazardous to a developing fetus. This medication should not be taken in the first trimester of pregnancy. Alprazolam use during pregnancy increases the risk of drug dependence in the fetus.

This may cause the newborn to experience potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. Babies who are born dependent on drugs that can become habits may need to see a doctor for several weeks. Alprazolam should not be taken while nursing.

How should Alprazolam be taken?

Consume alprazolam as directed by your physician. Pay attention to the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never take alprazolam for longer than is recommended or over the prescribed dosage. If your desire to use this medication increases, let your doctor know. Alprazolam is readily available from our online pharmacy. Measure liquid medications carefully.

Use a medicine dose-measuring tool or the dosing syringe that is supplied. The extended-release tablet should be swallowed whole; do not chew, crush, or break it. The oral disintegrating tablets should not be swallowed whole. Chew it in your mouth, but let it dissolve. For the treatment of anxiety disorders, alprazolam is usually prescribed for a maximum of four months, and for the treatment of panic disorders, for a maximum of ten weeks.

Follow your doctor’s dosage instructions in the letter. Get in touch with your physician if the symptoms worsen. If you use this medication for an extended period, you might require regular checkups. Should you abruptly discontinue using this medication, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms might occur. Observe your doctor’s instructions when tapering off your dosage. Store at room temperature, shielded from light, heat, and moisture.

Maintain a record of the medications you take. You should know if someone is misusing it or if they are not using a prescription. If you do not use any alprazolam liquid within 90 days, discard it.

Alprazolam side effects

If you have recently used alcohol, other drugs that slow breathing, or opioid medications, alprazolam may cause your breathing to stop or slow down.

Alprazolam side effects frequently include:

  • fatigue
  • lightheadedness

Serious side effects:

  • double vision
  • increased energy, decreased need for sleep
  • weak or shallow breathing
  • racing thoughts, being agitated or talkative
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • a light-headed feeling, like you, might pass out
  • hallucinations, risk-taking behavior
  • a seizure

In elderly adults, the sedative effects of alprazolam may endure longer. Benzodiazepine-using elderly patients are more likely to fall. Take caution to prevent falling or getting hurt.

Which medications have interactions with alprazolam?

When taken with Xanax, these medications may have harmful side effects. Here are a few instances of these medications: Opioids include medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Alprazolam and opioids together increase the risk of respiratory depression, coma, excessive sleepiness, and even death. Examples of antifungals are ketoconazole and itraconazole.

If these medications are taken with Xanax, they may make you sleepy. When alprazolam is taken with specific medications, the likelihood of side effects from those medications increases. If you combine alprazolam with any of these medications, your level of drowsiness may increase.

These medications consist of:

  • barbiturates, such as butabarbital, amobarbital, pentobarbital sedatives or hypnotics, like eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem; anxiolytics, like clonazepam, lorazepam, temazepam; narcotic analgesics, like morphine; oxycodone;
  • sedative antihistamines, like brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine;
  • anesthetics, like etomidate, propofol, and ketamine;
  • antidepressants, like fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, and nefazodone; and antacids, like cimetidine.

Alprazolam Dosage

Panic Disorder Adult Dosage:

Orally disintegrating/immediate-release tablets: Orally administer 0.5 mg three times daily. Ten milligrams daily is the maximum dose. Extended-release tablets: Take 0.5 to 1 mg orally once a day as the starting dose. Oral administration of 3 to 6 mg per day, ideally in the morning, is the maintenance dose. Ten milligrams per day is the daily maximum.

Overdose

A fatal overdose of Alprazolam is possible. Possible overdose symptoms include extreme tiredness, disorientation, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, and fainting.

What should I not do when taking alprazolam?

Don’t take alcohol. The possibility of fatal side effects exists. Drive carefully and avoid doing anything dangerous if you are unsure of how alprazolam will affect you. Fatigue or lightheadedness can cause falls, collisions, and serious injuries. When combined with alprazolam, grapefruit may have unfavorable effects. Alprazolam should not be taken with grapefruit juice.

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