What is Xanax?
Xanax is a trade name for a potent but short-acting benzodiazepine named alprazolam which is used in the treatment of anxiety disorder, panic attacks. Unlike most benzodiazepines which are very slow to act, Xanax provides symptomatic relief within a week.
How does Xanax work?
Xanax works by enhancing the effects of gamma-amnioybutyric acid or GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming effect. It has sedative, hypnotic, amnestic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties.
What does Xanax look like?
Xanax is sold in a wide variety of pills of different colors and shapes in strengths ranging from 0.25 to 2 mg.
Xanax dosing and administration
When used to treat anxiety, the usual starting dosage is between 0.25 and 0.5 mg three times daily. If no relief of symptoms has occurred within a week, your doctor may very gradually increase your dosage. Alternatively the dose may be reduced if you do not tolerate the drug well. Elderly patients tend to be display enhanced sensitivity to Xanax and the starting dosage for this group should be reduced to 0.25 mg two or three times daily. The starting dosage for panic disorder is 0.5 mg three times daily. Your doctor may increase this dose if necessary because treatment of panic disorder often requires higher dosages before relief is obtained. Xanax may be taken with or without food.
Common adverse effects from Xanax
The most common side effects associated with Xanax are lethargy, fatigue and exhaustion, problems with motor coordination, irritability, memory problems and increased appetite. Less common are speech problems, confusion, garrulousness, strange dreams, feeling of warmth, constipation, increased salivation, nasal congestion, anorexia, weight fluctuations, difficulty urinating menstrual problems, dry mouth and a range of sexual problems which may include changes in libido, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation or inability to ejaculate and difficulty reaching orgasm. More serious side effects which may be seen infrequently but which should be immediately reported to your doctor include depression, dizziness or fainting, balance problems, suicidal ideation or behavior, anxiety or agitation, hostility or rage, hallucinations, jaundice and allergic reactions.
Interactions with Xanax
Xanax may interact with a number of drugs including alcohol, all antidepressants, most antipsychotics, barbiturates and narcotics, certain antibiotics and antifungals, cimetidine, delavirdine, nefazodone, other benzodiazepines, protease inhibitors, seizure medications, sleep medications, oral contraceptives and grapefruit juice.
Xanax warnings and precautions
You should tell your doctor before taking Xanax if you have glaucoma, a history of substance abuse including alcohol, depression, cirrhosis or other liver diseases, kidney disorders, lung or respiratory problems or any kind of allergies. You should also tell your doctor if you are pregnant or considering pregnancy or if your are breastfeeding and also report any other medications you may be taking including herbal supplements. Taking Xanax at the same time as grapefruit juice may potentiate the Xanax resulting in overdose symptoms. Using alcohol while taking Xanax can increase the risk of serious side effects including confusion, memory loss and respiratory depression. Because a combination of these side effects may have life-threating consequences it is best to avoid alcohol altogether while taking Xanax.