- Used in the treatment of panic attacks
- Used to treat anxiety disorders
- Also used to treat post-chemotherapy nausea
- Sometimes used to treat addictions, insomnia and muscle spasms
Xanax is the brand name of the generic drug Alprazolam manufactured by Pfizer. It is available in tablets of strengths 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg.
Indications
Xanax is used to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders besides other conditions.
Action
Xanax belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines which are psychotic drugs that produce a sedative or a hypnotic effect on the user. It is also a muscle relaxant and has an action which induces forgetfulness. When the movement of the chemicals in the brain slows down, there is less of an imbalance and the person becomes calmer and less anxious.
Side Effects
This drug is usually safe but in some cases, there are side effects that will occur. Among them, the milder and the more common ones are concentration and memory problems, feeling sleepy, feeling dizzy, dry mouth, blurred vision, loss of co-ordination and insomnia. There could also be problems of constipation, weight gain or nausea as well as twitching of the muscles, problems with urination, hyperactivity and hallucinations. Patients could lose interest in sex and sometimes there could be serious problems that arise from taking this drug like suicidal tendencies, unusual risk taking, jaundice, seizures and depression worsening.
Caution
The doctor should know the patient’s full medical history as well as all details about the drugs he is taking, for what he is taking them and whether he is taking any vitamins or supplements regularly. Some ailments that have to be mentioned are diabetes, glaucoma, liver, heart and kidney diseases. He should also be informed of any allergies and whether there has been drug or alcohol abuse. A family history of any mental ailments too will be helpful. The doctor will want to know exactly how bad the problem is so a detailed explanation will have to be given so that he can prescribe the right dosage and strength to be taken.
Contraindications
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should try and avoid this drug because it could harm the baby. Older people and young children should also not be given this drug as far as possible. The patient should not touch alcohol when he is on this drug and it could be dangerous if he does. In some cases, there could be suicidal tendencies so the patient must be carefully watched by the care-giver in the early days when the medication is administered till he gets used to it and starts reacting positively to it. People who should not be given this drug are those with a bad sleep apnea problem, severe respiratory ailments and severe allergies. Care should also be taken to see that the person does not overdose himself. This is a drug of abuse so the medication should be dispensed to the patient carefully and the bottle should not be left lying around as it could be misused.