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alprazolam Drug information
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Generic Name: alprazolam (al PRAH zoe lam)
Brand Names:
Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR
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What is the most important information I should know about
alprazolam?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Alprazolam will cause drowsiness and
may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness,
avoid these activities. |
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Avoid alcohol while taking alprazolam. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness caused by alprazolam. |
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Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release form
alprazolam (Xanax XR). Swallow them whole. These tablets are
specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the
body. |
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Alprazolam is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more
than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer
than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if
alprazolam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous
use. Seizures may be a side effect of sudden discontinuation of
the medication. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in
dose. |
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Alprazolam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may become
unbalanced and cause anxiety. |
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Alprazolam is used to relieve anxiety, nervousness,
and tension associated with anxiety disorders. Alprazolam is
also used to treat panic disorders. |
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Alprazolam may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before
taking alprazolam?
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Do not take alprazolam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.
Alprazolam may worsen this condition. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you |
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have a history of alcohol or drug abuse; |
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have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory
disease; |
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are depressed or have suicidal thoughts; or |
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have mania, bipolar disorder, or another psychiatric condition
(other than anxiety or panic disorder). |
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You may not be able to take alprazolam, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above. |
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Alprazolam is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that
alprazolam is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not
take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you
are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether alprazolam passes into breast milk.
Do not take alprazolam without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from alprazolam. Your doctor may
prescribe a lower dose of the medication. |
How should I take alprazolam?
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Take alprazolam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse,
or doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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• |
Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release form
alprazolam (Xanax XR). Swallow them whole. These tablets are
specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the
body. |
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• |
Do not take more of the medication than is prescribed for you. |
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• |
Alprazolam is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more
than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer
than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if
alprazolam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous
use. Seizures may be a side effect of sudden discontinuation of
the medication. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in
dose. |
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Store alprazolam at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and
take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take
a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be
dangerous. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
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Symptoms of an alprazolam overdose include sleepiness,
dizziness, confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing,
difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk,
and unconsciousness. |
What should I avoid while taking alprazolam?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Alprazolam will cause drowsiness and
may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness,
avoid these activities. |
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Avoid alcohol while taking alprazolam. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness caused by alprazolam. |
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Alprazolam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines,
sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your
doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take
any other medicine without first talking to your doctor. |
What are the possible side effects of alprazolam?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking alprazolam and seek emergency medical attention or
contact your doctor immediately: |
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an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives); |
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sores in the mouth or throat; |
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yellowing of the skin or eyes; |
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hallucinations or severe confusion; or |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take alprazolam and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness; |
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation; |
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decreased sex drive; or |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect alprazolam?
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Do not take ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox)
during treatment with alprazolam without first talking to your
doctor. |
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Alprazolam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines,
sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your
doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take
any medicine without first talking to your doctor. |
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Antacids may decrease the effects of alprazolam. Separate
doses of an antacid and alprazolam by several hours whenever
possible. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
alprazolam. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products. |
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about alprazolam
written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use
this medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that
effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore
Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an
informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve
consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a
substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given
drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to
indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any
responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with
the aid of information Multum provides. The information
contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the
drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist. |
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