Alprazolam (Xanax)
Pharmacology
Anxiolytic - Antipanic
Alprazolam (Xanax), a triazolo 1.4 benzodiazepine analog. It binds with high
affinity to the GABA benzodiazepine receptor complex. Other considerable
evidence suggests that the central therapeutic/pharmacologic actions of
Alprazolam (Xanax) (xanax) are mediated via interaction with this receptor complex.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
is orally administered and is readily absorbed in man with peak plasma
concentrations occurring 1 to 2 hours following it's oral administration. The
half life range of Alprazolam (Xanax) is 6 to 20 hours following single dose
administration. With multiple doses, given 3 times daily, a steady state is
achieved within 7 days. Alprazolam (Xanax) (Xanax) and its metabolites are
excreted primarily in the urine. Degradation occurs mainly by oxidation yielding
the primary and secondary metabolites which are active and appear to have
half-lives similar to
Alprazolam (Xanax)
but are present at only low levels in the plasma. Alprazolam (Xanax) is 80%
protein bound.
Alprazolam (Xanax) 500 mcg (0.5 mg), administered 3 times a day for 14 days, did not
affect prothrombin times or plasma warfarin levels in any male volunteers
administered sodium warfarin orally.
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Alprazolam (Xanax)
Indications
Alprazolam (Xanax) is used for the management of anxiety disorders or the
short-term symptomatic relief of symptoms of excessive anxiety. Anxiety or
tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require
treatment with an anxiolytic, Alprazolam (Xanax).
Alprazolam (Xanax) is indicated for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD). It is also indicated for the management of panic disorder with
or without agoraphobia.
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Alprazolam (Xanax) Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to Alprazolam (Xanax) or other benzodiazepines. Alprazolam (Xanax) is also
contraindicated in pregnancy, in infants and in patients with acute narrow angle
glaucoma
and myasthenia gravis.
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Alprazolam (Xanax)
Warnings
Alprazolam (Xanax) is not for use in patients whose primary diagnosis is
psychosis or depression.
Occupational Hazards:
As with other CNS depressant drugs, all patients should be strongly cautioned
against activities requiring mental alertness, judgement and physical
coordination such as driving and operating heavy machinery when using
Alprazolam (Xanax). Particularly in the early phases of treatment
and until proper adjustment to side effects has been completely established. Alcohol and
benzodiazepines should never be mixed when driving. This results in unpredictable
CNS depressant effects of this combination.
Pregnancy:
Safety in pregnancy has not been established and is use is not
recommended. Studies have suggested an increased risk of congenital
malformations associated with the use of the benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and also meprobamate,
during the first trimester of pregnancy. Alprazolam (Xanax) is a benzodiazepine derivative
and its administration
is rarely justified in women of childbearing potential. If the drug is
prescribed to a woman of child bearing potential she should be warned to consult
her physician regarding the discontinuation of the drug if she intends to become
or suspects that she may be pregnant.
Lactation:
Studies in rats have indicated that
Alprazolam (Xanax) and its metabolites are secreted
into the mother's milk. Therefore, nursing should not be undertaken while a patient is
receiving Alprazolam (Xanax).
Safety and efficacy of Alprazolam (Xanax) in patients under the age of 18 years
is not established.
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Alprazolam (Xanax)
Adverse Effects
The most frequently reported adverse side
effects are drowsiness, coordination difficulties with
dizziness. Release of hostility and other paradoxical effects such as
irritability, excitability and hallucinations are known to occur with the use of
benzodiazepines. Other side effects less frequently reported, listed by body
systems, include the following:
Dermatologic:
Pruritus, rash.
Genitourinary:
Incontinence, change in libido.
Neurologic:
Blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty in depth perception, headache,
seizures .
Musculoskeletal:
muscle weakness, Muscle spasm.
Cardiovascular:
Hypotension, tachycardia, palpitations.
Hematologic:
Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit, increased and decreased WBC.
Hepatic:
Elevations of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT).
Psychiatric:
Agitation, nervousness, sleep
disturbances, euphoria, mental confusion, depression, irritability, lethargy, stupor.
Gastrointestinal:
Dry mouth, nonspecific gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, vomiting.
Miscellaneous:
Increased and decreased blood sugar levels.
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in case of
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Overdose
Symptoms:
Manifested as an extension of Alprazolam (Xanax)'s pharmacologic activity. In more severe cases diminished
reflexes, confusion and coma may ensue. Varying degrees of CNS depressant
effects such as somnolence and hypnosis can occur. Other manifestations may
include muscle weakness, ataxia, dysarthria and particularly in children
paradoxical excitement. It should be remembered when treating an
overdose that multiple agents may have been ingested. Fatalities with
benzodiazepines rarely occur except when other drugs, alcohol or aggravating
factors are involved.
Treatment:
Vital signs should be
monitored and general supportive measures should be employed as indicated.
Vomiting may be induced if the patient is fully awake. I.V. fluids may be
administered and an adequate airway should be maintained. Gastric lavage should be instituted as soon as possible.
This could be reversed with positive
mechanical respiration and the i.v. infusion of levarterenol. Experiments in animals have indicated that cardiopulmonary collapse can occur
with massive i.v. doses of Alprazolam (Xanax).
Animal experiments with Alprazolam (Xanax) and related compounds have suggested that
hemodialysis and forced diuresis are probably of little value.
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Dosage of
Alprazolam (Xanax)
As with all other anxiolytic-sedatives,
short courses of your treatment should be the rule for the symptomatic relief of
excessive anxiety and the initial course of treatment should not last longer
than 1 week without reassessment. Must be individualized and carefully titrated
in order to avoid excessive sedation or mental and motor impairment. If necessary, drug dosage
must be adjusted
after 1 week. Prescriptions should be limited to short courses of therapy.
Adults:
Initially:
The optimal dosage is one that permits symptomatic control of excessive anxiety
without impairment of mental and motor function.
0.25 mg (250 mcg) given 2 or 3 times daily. If required, increases may be made
in 0.25 mg (250 mcg) increments according to the severity of symptoms and
patient response. It is recommended that the evening dose be increased before
the daytime doses. Very severe manifestations of anxiety may require larger
initial daily doses.
Exceptionally, it may be necessary to increase dosage to a maximum of 3 mg
daily, given in divided doses.
Elderly and Debilitated Patients:
The initial dosage is 0.125 mg (125 mcg) 2 or 3 times daily. If necessary, this
dosage may be increased or decreased gradually depending on patient tolerance and response.
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how
is
Alprazolam (Xanax) Supplied
Xanax:
0.25 mg:
white, ovoid-shaped tablet, coded "Upjohn 29," contains: Alprazolam (Xanax)
0.25 mg (250 mcg). Gluten-free. Bottles of 100 and 1000.
0.5 mg:
peach, ovoid-shaped tablet, coded "Upjohn 55," contains: Alprazolam (Xanax)
0.5 mg (500 mcg). Gluten-free. Bottles of 100 and 1000.
1 mg:
lavender, ovoid-shaped tablet, coded "Upjohn 90" contains: Alprazolam (Xanax) 1 mg (1000 mcg). Gluten-free. Bottles of 100.
Xanax TS:
2 mg:
Each white, triscored tablet (3 scores), with the number "2" on one side and
Xanax on the other side contains: Alprazolam (Xanax) 2 mg. The tablets can be broken
into 4 equal parts of 0.5 mg. Bottles of 100.
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