The tablet will dissolve and can be swallowed with saliva. The orally disintegrating tablet can be taken with or without water. To take the concentrated liquid, use only the dropper that came with your prescription.
Related Conditions
It is not known if Xanax is safe and effective when used to treat anxiety disorder for longer than 4 months. Xanax tablets are scored and can be split if your doctor or pharmacist advises this. The manufacturer does not provide information on taking Xanax this way.
- These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
- We all have dozens of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, that allow neurons to communicate with each other throughout the body, and the amino acid GABA is one of them.
- Due to this risk, you should not suddenly stop taking Xanax.
- Symptoms of withdrawal typically begin within 24 hours after your last dose, and may last anywhere between a few days to a few weeks.
- Neonates exposed to benzodiazepines during the late third trimester of pregnancy or during labor have been reported to exhibit sedation and neonatal withdrawal symptoms.
- Geriatric patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Mental Health Newsletter
Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug that has a calming and relaxing effect. Doctors usually prescribe it for short periods of time. Xanax is typically used to help ease panic attacks while other treatments for panic disorder, such as antidepressants, take effect.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of alprazolam and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 3 or 4 days. The drug is usually presented in orange or bluish-colored tablets, cylindrical, biconvex, and slotted on one side to facilitate taking the appropriate doses. If you breastfeed while taking this medication, seek medical care right away if you notice the child has slow or noisy breathing, is unusually sleepy or not able to wake up, or is limp. There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with this medication.
In contrast, patients treated with doses of XANAX greater than 4 mg/day had more difficulty tapering to zero dose than those treated with less than 4 mg/day. XANAX may produce physical dependence from continued therapy. Should any of the above events occur, alprazolam should be discontinued. Instances of irritability, hostility, and intrusive thoughts have been reported during discontinuation of alprazolam in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Therefore, before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the medications you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list of drugs with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your doctor if you have health questions or concerns. By doing this, it helps to minimize the symptoms of anxiety disorder and panic attacks. The Xanax pill comes in both regular and extended-release tablets, allowing for it to be dosed based on individual needs. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide.
You shouldn’t take a higher dose than what’s prescribed by your doctor. These drugs can prevent the pathway that’s responsible for eliminating Xanax from your body from removing it as quickly as it should. Over time, this may lead to a toxic buildup of the drug and eventually an overdose. No, your dosage of Xanax is not based on your body weight. You’ll likely start on a low dose, and your doctor may increase it slowly based on your reaction to the drug. Some drugs affect liver function so much that they’re not safe to take with Xanax at all.
3 Dependence And Withdrawal Reactions
If you think you have a substance abuse issue, talk with your doctor. Combining Xanax and alcohol increases the risk of misuse and addiction. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Misuse can lead to addiction, in which a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects. (This is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.) Stopping Xanax suddenly or lowering your dose too fast can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Risk Of Serious Side Effects Or Death If Used With Opioids
This helps your body keep a steady level of the drug so it’s most effective for treating your condition. Before starting Xanax treatment, tell your medical professional about all medications you take. If they recommend that you take an opioid while using Xanax, they will discuss the risks with you. They’ll typically lower your Xanax dosage to reduce your risk for side effects as much as possible.
More Info For This Drug
Dosage reduction of XANAX is recommended in patients with hepatic impairment see Dosage and Administration (2.4), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3). XANAX-treated geriatric patients had higher plasma concentrations of alprazolam (due to reduced clearance) compared to younger adult patients receiving the same doses. Therefore, dosage reduction of XANAX is recommended in geriatric patients see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3). The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of XANAX. XANAX should be reduced to half of the recommended dosage when a patient is started on ritonavir and XANAX together, or when ritonavir administered to a patient treated with XANAX.
Anxiety And Depression
For more information about the risks of misuse and addiction with Xanax, see the boxed warning information at the start of this article. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
