Side effects of Xanax

Side effects of Xanax

Side effects of Xanax:

Side effects: side effects mean undesirable (unwanted) effects of the drug, often are harmful effects.

Xanax: is a drug that contains an active ingredient called alprazolam. Alprazolam is one of the benzodiazepines group of medications that act on the central nervous system (CNS), its activity is to suppress the activity of nerves in the brain so this class of medication is commonly known as anxiolytic.

Benzodiazepines: benzodiazepines group contain alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, flurazepam and others.

What are Xanax indications?

Your doctor will prescribe you Xanax if you have one of the following conditions:

 

• Panic attacks.
• Procedural anxiety (premedication).

Side effects of Xanax:

Treatment by Xanax may have undesirable effects, these effects include:

 

• Blurred vision.
• Allergic and skin reaction.
• Nasal congestion.
• Skin rash.
• Memory impairment.
• Decreased libido.
• Weight gain or weight loss.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle twitches.
• Nasal congestion.
• Allergic rhinitis.
• Increased or decreased appetite.

Are there any contraindications for using Xanax?

There are medical conditions considered to be contraindicated to use Xanax.

These contraindications including the following:

• Hypersensitivity and allergic reaction to Xanax or other benzodiazepines.
• A respiratory disorder like sleep apnea.
• Myasthenia gravis disease causes muscle weakness due to autoimmune response.
• Acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Severe hepatic insufficiency.
• Severe renal impairment.
• Concurrent use of antifungal like ketoconazole and itraconazole.

Xanax interactions with other medications:

Concomitant use of other medications may increase or decrease the effect of Xanax, so you should revise all of your medications with your doctor before start taking Xanax.

Examples of Xanax interactions:

Medications considered contraindicated to be used with Xanax:

 

• Fusidic acid.
• Oxybate slat products.

Medications decrease the effect of Xanax:

 

• Theophylline derivatives.

Medications increase the effect of Xanax:

 

• Magnesium sulfate.

Besides all medications that affect Xanax, there is the effect of Xanax on other medications, for example:

Xanax increases the effect of the following medications:

• CNS depressant medications.
• Opioid’s agonist.

Warning and precautions of using Xanax:

Warning and precautions of using Xanax in certain medical conditions:

• Depression: you should avoid taking Xanax if you have depression.
• Respiratory disorder: Xanax should be avoided in respiratory depression and sleep apnea.
• Concomitant use of opioids: due to interactions with Xanax that leads to increase side effects and sedative actions, in some cases may cause respiratory depression and coma.
• Severe hepatic impairment: causes prolonged action of Xanax causing toxicity.
• Severe renal impairment: Xanax use with caution in renally impaired patients.

During the use of Xanax, certain parameters should be monitor:

Your doctor will advise you to monitor the following parameters:

• Blood pressure.
• Respiratory rate.
• Heart rate.
• Mental status.
• Liver enzymes.
• Complete blood count (CBC).

Xanax overdose signs and symptoms:

If there are any abnormalities in the previous parameters that may be signs of Xanax overdose.

Signs and symptoms of overdose:

 

• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Impaired coordination.
• Diminished reflexes.

If you feel these signs and symptoms call your doctor immediately and visit the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Causes of Xanax overdose:

• Ingestion of higher dose intentionally or accidentally.
• Concomitant alcohol intake.
• The concomitant medication increases the Xanax effect.

Allergic and hypersensitivity reaction of Xanax:

If you have an allergic reaction to Xanax, you should tell your doctor and stop the medication immediately.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction:

 

• The difficulty of breathing.
• Swelling of lips and tongue.

Xanax withdrawal symptoms:

Using Xanax for a long time may cause withdrawal symptoms. Also, suddenly discontinuation may lead to appear of withdrawal symptoms:

 

• Weight loss.
• Cognitive disorders.
• Blurred vision.
• Muscle tone disorder.
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Abnormal involuntary movement.
• Muscular twitching.

You should call your doctor before stopping Xanax.

Tapering the dose gradually before stopping Xanax is mandatory to be under the supervision of your doctor.

Xanax and special populations:

• Smokers: Cigarette smoking decreases the concentration of Xanax up to 50%.
• Obese: avoid the use of Xanax in obese patients.
• Elderly: Xanax is contraindicated in the elderly patient.
• Pregnancy: due to Xanax’s adverse effects on the fetus, it is contraindicated in pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding: Xanax can be excreted in breast milk, so avoid use.
• Hepatic impairment: Xanax is contraindicated in severe hepatic impairment.
• Renal impairment: Xanax is contraindicated in severe renal impairment.

You should take care of the following before starting Xanax:

• You should not drive.
• You should not operate machinery.
• You should not drink alcohol.
• You should not use ketoconazole or itraconazole with Xanax.
• You should not use other benzodiazepines with Xanax.
• You should not increase your dose without taking it with your doctor.
• You should not stop Xanax suddenly.
• You should not recommend Xanax to anyone his symptoms seem to be yours.

Xanax dose

Xanax 2

 

Taking Xanax