Drug Names Xanax according to Drugrehabwiki:
Names Xanax is the brand name for the prescription drug alprazolam. It belongs in a group of prescription medications known as benzodiazepines, which are frequently used for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Also referred to as “minor tranquilizers”, Xanax and similar benzodiazepine medications are very sedating. Xanax is a controlled substance due to its high risk for abuse and addiction. Other drugs in this category include Ativan (lorazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam).
How Xanax Works
Like similar medications, Xanax works in the brain by enhancing the function of GABA. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a brain chemical that helps to slow down excitement that may be occurring in the brain. Since experts believe that anxiety may be the result of this excessive activity, Xanax helps to bring about a calming effect. Xanax and other medications in this category are also referred to as CNS (central nervous system) depressants, sedatives, and mild tranquilizers because of this calming property.
History of Xanax
Initially developed by the drug company Upjohn, Xanax was released back in the early 1980s. Dr. David Sheehan, a psychiatrist, suggested that the company market alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder rather than for anxiety disorder. Although at the time benzodiazepines were considered an ineffective drug for panic disorder, Dr. Sheehan knew otherwise. Upjohn followed his recommendation and alprazolam quickly became a very popular medication.
Xanax later became the first medication to be FDA approved specifically for the treatment of panic disorder. It is approved only for short term treatment – up to 8 weeks. While studies showed that it was a powerful treatment for 8 weeks, they also found that after that time frame it was no longer effective. Studies also revealed that the medication had potentially serious withdrawal effects, including seizures and psychoses. Individuals who discontinue Xanax after regular use may also experience rebound anxiety.
What Xanax Is Used to Treat
Xanax is primarily prescribed to treat panic disorder as well as other types of anxiety disorders, including anxiety due to depression. The symptoms of anxiety include excessive worry and / or fearfulness, fatigue, restlessness, problems with sleep, irritability, and poor concentration.
Panic attacks involve sudden episodes of intense fear or anxiety combined with other symptoms such as a tightness or heaviness in the chest, shortness of breath, pounding heart, sweating, lightheadedness, nausea, trembling, chills or feeling flushed, and a sense that one is going crazy.
Like many medications, it may also be used to treat conditions for which it is not FDA approved. These include:
• Essential tremor • Agitation • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder • Insomnia
Effects of Xanax
The effects of Xanax are typically felt very quickly, as it reaches its highest levels in the body within 1 to 2 hours after taken. The mean half life of Xanax is approximately 11 hours.
Xanax, like other medications in its category, has a calming and sedating effect when taken in low doses. People who take it usually become drowsy. It works to decrease feelings of anxiety and relaxes muscles tension. Xanax can also cause short-term loss of memory. It can also stop seizures.
In high doses it can cause excitement, extreme drowsiness, disinhibition, decreased respiration, irregular heart beat, dizziness or fainting, confusion, coordination problems, decreased mobility, and coma. Combining Xanax with other sedating drugs or street drugs can potentially be fatal.
Administration and Dosing of Xanax
Xanax is available in a regular tablet, an extended release tablet (Xanax XR), an orally disintegrating tablet, and a concentrated solution. For most patients, the initial dose of Xanax is between .25 mg and .5 mg, three times per day. It may be slowly increased up to 4 mg. per day, taken in small doses throughout the day.
For panic disorder the dose often starts higher, at .5 mg three times per day. Depending on the severity of the disorder, this dose may be slowly increased to 10 mg. per day. In general, the dose is 5 mg to 6 mg per day. Xanax is not usually taken in one larger dose once a day; rather the dose is divided and taken several times a day.
Side Effects of Xanax
Like all medications, Xanax may potentially cause a variety of side effects. While some of the side effects may be mild, others can be quite serious. In some instances, immediate medical attention may be required.
Some of the more common side effects from Xanax include:
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Difficulties concentrating
• Appetite changes
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Changes in libido or sexual performance
• Increased production of saliva
• Decrease in coordination
• Changes in weight
• Lightheadedness
Less common side effects may include:
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Talkativeness
• Memory difficulties
• Muscle spasms
• Nasal congestion
• Mood changes
• Sleep problems
• Difficulties speaking
• Changes in menstruation
Serious side effects may include:
• Seizures
• Loss of coordination
• Hives
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Severe allergic response
• Jaundice
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Extreme dizziness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Suicidal ideation
• Urination difficulties
• Fainting
• Agitation
• Aggressive behavior
Names Xanax
Precautions
Xanax should not be taken by individuals who are allergic to benzodiazepines. Caution should be taken particularly for those who have a history of liver or kidney disease, glaucoma, or any type of respiratory condition.
Xanax may cause dizziness or sedation, and should not be taken prior to or while driving, using any type of machinery, or doing anything that requires one to be alert.
Elderly individuals may be especially sensitive to Xanax’s side effects, so it should be prescribed to them with caution.
Xanax is not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant, as it may cause birth defects and also gets into breast milk.
Usual precautions should be taken for individuals taking Xanax who are depressed or may have suicidal thoughts.
Xanax should never be combined with alcohol, street drugs, or any type of depressant. Doing so may cause its sedating effects to be more pronounced and could be dangerous.
Xanax use, as with other benzodiazepines, may lead to problems with abuse or dependence. Extreme caution should be used in prescribing Xanax to anyone with a history or drug or alcohol abuse or addiction. Xanax, like many medications, is sold online by vendors all over the world. Purchasing this medication online is not recommended as it may contain other ingredients that could be harmful. In some cases, Xanax from online vendors has contained the antipsychotic medication haloperidol (also known as Haldol). This drug has many potentially dangerous side effects.
Drug Interactions with Xanax
Xanax may have adverse interactions with other prescription medications. These include:
• Some types of antibiotics
• Antifungal medications
• Antidepressants
• Barbiturates
• Antipsychotics
• Anticonvulsants
• Pain medications
• Birth control pills
• Sleep medications
• Protease inhibitors
• Other benzodiazepines
• Tagamet (cimetidine)
• Rescriptor (delavirdine)
Xanax Tolerance, Abuse, and Dependence
If used for an ongoing period of time, people will often develop a tolerance to it. When this happens, they may end up taking higher doses than prescribed in order to attain the same effect. That is why Xanax, like other benzodiazepines, is meant to be used only for short periods of time. Some individuals become addicted to Xanax, both physically and mentally. This is more likely to occur if Xanax is used at higher doses for an extended length of time. It is not uncommon for individuals addicted to Xanax to “doctor shop” in order to get multiple prescriptions so they can indulge their addiction. Because of its high risk for abuse and addiction, caution must always be taken with medications like Xanax. Although it is often prescribed for sleep problems and anxiety, individuals who take it often find that their symptoms return once they discontinue the medication.
Xanax Withdrawal
Dangerous symptoms may develop if Xanax is stopped abruptly after ongoing use. One of the most serious potential withdrawal symptoms is seizures. Doses should be gradually tapered down in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms as your body adapts, and should be done only under medical supervision. Other withdrawal symptoms may include:
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Tachycardia (racing heart)
• Heart palpitations
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Hallucinations
• Changes in personality
• Fever
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Light or sound sensitivity
Xanax is a highly effective medication when used for short periods. However, if it is used to treat symptoms of anxiety or insomnia that are chronic, it is better to use it only while working with a therapist or healthcare provider to establish other ways to alleviate symptoms.
More about Names Xanax, can be found in Muscle Relaxers List.