What do Xanax do

What do Xanax do?

Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug containing the active constituent alprazolam.

Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs used primarily for treating anxiety, but they are also very effective in other conditions like panic disorder.

It is believed by scientists that anxiety is caused by the excessive activity of the nerves.

The specific mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is not known, but it is known that it affects certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

One of the neurotransmitters is GABA (Gamma amino-butyric acid), which helps in suppressing the activity of nerves.

What do Xanax do?

Xanax helps in the short-term treatment of anxiety, medium and severe cases, and severe cases of anxiety associated with depression.

It is also used in cases of panic disorders, either with or without agoraphobia.

Agoraphobia is the fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment.

Posology:

The dosage should be optimized based on the severity of the symptoms, and the response of the patient to treatment.

Anxiety

0.25 – 0.5 mg three times per day, and the dose may be increased to a total of 3 mg per day

Elders or debilitating patients

0.25 mg from two to three times per day and the dose may be increased if needed and tolerated

Pediatrics

Xanax is not used in patients younger than 18 years old, as efficacy and safety are not yet established

Method of administration:

Oral use.

Treatment should not be for a long time; the patient should be reassessed at the end of 4 weeks of treatment if he will need to continue the treatment or not.

The overall duration of treatment should be between 8 and 12 weeks, including the withdrawal period.

The doctor may need to continue the treatment for a longer period, but he should be aware that the long treatment duration may lead to misuse and addiction of the drug.

During discontinuation of Xanax, the dosage should be tapered off gradually, to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, the pain of muscles, extreme cases of anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, irritability, and insomnia (a sleeping problem).

In severe cases, other symptoms may occur, derealization (detachment from reality), depersonalization (detachment from self), hyperacusis (hypersensitivity to noise), hypersensitivity to light, and physical contact, numbness in the extremities, hallucinations, and seizures.

To avoid these symptoms, the dose is decreased by about 0.5 mg every three days.

Contraindications:

Xanax is contraindicated to be used in patients with hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, alprazolam, or other excipients in the tablets.

It is also contraindicated in patients suffering from myasthenia gravis (weakness of muscles), severe respiratory impairment, sleep apnea syndrome (breathing stops during sleep for a short period), and severe hepatic impairment.

Special warnings ad precautions:

Renal and hepatic insufficiency

Extreme caution is required during the use in patients suffering from renal or hepatic insufficiency.

Depression and anxiety

Xanax should not be prescribed alone in the major conditions of depression and anxiety associated with depression, as it may lead to or increase suicidal thoughts or acts.

Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with suicidal tendencies and signs of depressive disorders.

Pediatric population

Safety and efficacy are not established in patients younger than 18 years old, therefore, it is only used in adults older than 18 years old.

Geriatric population

What do Xanax do? Xanax causes sedation and muscle weakness.

That’s why, it should be used with extreme caution in elderly patients, as it may cause falls and accidents which may be dangerous especially in elders.

To reduce dizziness and drowsiness, it is recommended to start Xanax with the lowest effective dose.

It should be also used with patients suffering from chronic respiratory insufficiency.

The risk from the joined use of Xanax with opioids

Xanax should be only used with opioids if no other alternative is available, as this may cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Amnesia

What do Xanax do? Xanax causes anterograde amnesia in some patients especially if they don’t have enough time to have uninterrupted sleep.

So, if the patient doesn’t have enough time for sleep, he/she should not use Xanax.

Interaction with drugs or other interactions:

Make sure to tell your doctor about the drugs used before taking Xanax.

What do Xanax do?

It interacts with the following drugs causing undesirable side effects.

• Other medicines used to treat anxiety or depression
• Drugs helping to sleep
• Strong painkillers
• Antipsychotics used to treat mental problems
• Anti-epileptic drugs
• Antihistamines used to treat allergies
• Anti-fungal drugs
• Oral contraceptives
• Specific antibiotics such as erythromycin
• Cimetidine (a drug used to treat ulcers of the stomach)
• Diltiazem (a drug used to treat high blood pressure)
• Digoxin (a drug used for various heart conditions)
• Ritonavir or other medicines for HIV

What do Xanax do?

Xanax helps in managing anxiety and panic disorders by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain effectively and safely.