What is Alprazolam or Xanax tablets? How are they taken and what are the side effects?

Alprazolam or Xanax tablets belong to the benzodiazepine group of drugs such as diazepam, clonazepam and lorazepam and are prescribed to control diseases such as anxiety, restlessness, panic attacks, insomnia and some other mental disorders. Other brand names are Alprazolam, Xanax and Niravam. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug in October 1982, making alprazolam the 13th best-selling drug in the United States in 2012.

Alprazolam is produced and supplied in doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg, in the same dose, its effect is up to 10 times more than Valium tablets (diazepam).

How does alprazolam (Xanax) work?

Alprazolam suppresses central nervous system activity, meaning that it reduces the activity, irritability and response of the brain and allows the brain and central nervous system to have more time to rest, which balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. In other words, it can be said that alprazolam has a sedative and dull effect.



Alprazolam slows down the movement of chemical vectors in the brain that may be unbalanced, resulting in reduced brain abnormal activity, nervous tension, and anxiety. Alprazolam does this by increasing the activity of GABA, GABA is a natural chemical in the amino acid family that is produced in the brain as a neurotransmitter and enhances relaxation and It becomes restful.

Alprazolam and its effect on anxiety and seizures:

When a patient experiences anxiety, panic, or seizures, his or her brain activity is extremely high and he or she is in a state of alertness, in which case the person is unable to control his or her mental activity, followed by symptoms. Experiencing increased heart rate and respiratory rate, sweating, etc., taking alprazolam in these patients reduces brain activity and results in calming the mind and body, followed by reducing anxiety, heart rate and relaxation.



The effect of alprazolam on insomnia:

In many patients, insomnia is caused by a lack of control over thoughts and excessive brain activity. In these people, the body is tired at night but the mind is active and involuntarily turns to various subjects, and the person has enough power to control these thoughts. does not have.

Alprazolam reduces the activity of the brain in these people and stops the thought of spreading, providing a bed for sleep and rest, and with this mechanism is also known as a sleeping pill.

If your doctor prescribes this medicine to treat insomnia, do not take it late at night because you will feel drowsy and confused the next day. Adjust your schedule so that you start your daily activity at least 10 hours after taking this medicine, for example, if you wake up at 8 in the morning, take alprazolam tablets at 9 to 10 at night to get enough sleep. Dill and when you wake up is almost at the same time as the end of the drug. Also, the active ingredients in this drug are excreted in the urine, and in the morning, by drinking 2 glasses of water on an empty stomach, you can help end the effect.


Speed ​​of action and effect of the drug:

The speed of action of this drug depends on the severity of the disease, age and also the speed of metabolism (metabolism) of the body. In some people, it works less than 5 minutes after absorption.

Half-life and duration of action of the drug:

The average half-life of Xanax is 11 hours, but in some people with severe disorders this time is shorter and requires several doses per day.

How to increase the speed and effect of alprazolam:

It is better to take Xanax on an empty stomach and away from food, taking it with a full stomach will delay the absorption and effect of the drug, in other words, the food must be digested first so that the drug is absorbed with it. But when the stomach is empty, this drug absorbs and works within 5 to 30 minutes.

People who are severely anxious or have a sudden panic attack can put the pill under their tongue to absorb it faster. Alprazolam solution is also produced, which is absorbed through the mouth and under the tongue and is suitable for this group of patients.



Is alprazolam effective for all patients?

No, this drug is not effective and suitable for everyone, there is a possibility of addiction to it in many people and in some cases it causes serious side effects, this drug should not be used without a doctor's prescription.

Xanax is not recommended at all for people with a history of alcohol and drug addiction.

Dosage and administration of alprazolam:

This drug is taken orally and by mouth. The dose depends on the severity of the disease, age and the rate of the body's reaction to it. The dose is increased to determine what dose is appropriate and effective for the patient. Take this medicine exactly as your doctor advised and do not reduce, increase the dose, stop taking it and use it again without consulting him.

 Alprazolam is usually prescribed for short-term disease control, not for long-term use. The effect of this medicine may decrease over time. If you feel the effect of this medicine diminish after a while, be sure to tell your doctor.


side effects:

Despite the beneficial effects for people with certain mental disorders, benzodiazepines such as alprazolam are addictive and should never be taken without a doctor's advice. Xanax should not be taken with other sedatives, alcohol and drugs as it can cause excessive drowsiness and even dangerous side effects.

In the United States in 2005, the number of admissions in the emergency department due to incorrect and non-medical use of alprazolam tablets was 57,419 people, in 2010, 124,902 people and in 2011, 123,744 people, and the highest reason for alcohol and drug use in the period This drug has been used.

Concomitant use of alcohol and drugs with this drug is so dangerous that it should not even be tried once.

Anyone who uses alprazolam for a long time and more than a few months becomes dependent on it and should gradually increase the dose to make this drug have the initial effect, so long-term use is not recommended.

Benzodiazepine addiction begins when the brain increases the production of dopamine instead of GABA in response to consumption.

Over time, alprazolam releases large amounts of dopamine into the brain, which creates a sense of vitality and happiness in the patient, which leads to dependence on this artificial good feeling, and the person will tend to take more and more of this drug until He will no longer experience happiness without it, and in this case he is completely addicted to it.


Other complications:

Common side effects of alprazolam include drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, increased saliva, and changes in sexual desire. It is recommended to get up slowly from a sitting or lying position to minimize dizziness.

Taking this drug can have other side effects, including digestive problems, nausea, mood swings, and irritability. Of course, these side effects usually occur when you take too much of it. In any case, if you see any side effects, stop taking the drug and consult your doctor.

Alprazolam is a safe and effective hypnotic and sedative when used properly and for a short period of time as directed by your doctor. At the end of the treatment period, the drug should not be stopped abruptly. The dose should be reduced over time and finally stopped.

You should note that alprazolam, like most chemical drugs, has side effects, and your doctor has determined that the benefits of this drug outweigh the side effects.

Serious side effects that you should stop taking this medication include: mental changes, hallucinations, depression, suicidal thoughts, stuttering and difficulty speaking, decreased memory and thinking ability, gait imbalance.

If the user experiences any of the following symptoms, call the emergency room immediately or take him or her to a medical facility. .

It is noteworthy that these side effects are observed in a small percentage of people and most patients can take this drug without any problems under the supervision of a doctor.

Warnings:

Before taking alprazolam if you are allergic to any of the benzodiazepines or any food, chemical, herbal, and alcohol or drug allergies, and if you have lung, respiratory, liver, or kidney problems. Tell your doctor about cardiovascular disease. Avoid driving, working with machines, and any activity that requires concentration and attention, as this medication can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.

Inform your doctor before taking alprazolam before going to the dentist or having surgery.

Xanax is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. It is possible for the drug to enter breast milk and cause serious harm to the fetus and baby. Even if you plan to become pregnant in the next few months, consult your doctor before taking alprazolam.

This medicine is not suitable for people under 18 years of age.

Long-term use of alprazolam can lead to addiction and depression.

Drug interactions:

Alprazolam may interact with many medications. Some of them are listed below. It is best to read the package leaflet carefully or consult your pharmacist before taking any medications or supplements.

Kava, Sodium Oxybate, antifungal drugs such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, cimetidine, many antidepressants such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, HIV control drugs, some antibiotics Such as erythromycin, anticonvulsant drugs such as carbamazepine and phenytoin.

Alprazolam should not be taken with medications that cause drowsiness such as antihistamines, diphenhydramine, diazepam, zolpidem, most muscle relaxants, analgesics such as codeine, chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline and trazodone.

Read the brochure of your other medications and make sure their side effects do not include drowsiness.

 Smoking also lowers serum alprazolam levels in the blood.

Storage conditions: Xanax should be stored at normal room temperature between 20 to 25 ° C.

Contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, people under 18 years of age and cases of the mentioned diseases

rest of Information:

What should you do if you miss a pill?

Take it as soon as you remember, unless you are close to the next meal, then do not take it.

Race: Research shows that the half-life and effectiveness of this drug in the Asian race is 15 to 25 percent higher than other people.