Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Alprazolam is a prescription drug used to treat conditions which are clinically referred to as panic disorders, panic attacks, or anxiety disorders. This potent medication is grouped into a family of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines. Alprazolam is most effective for diminishing abnormal excitement in the brain. It's also used to treat depression, premenstrual syndrome, and agoraphobia (fear of open spaces). Alprazolam can also be prescribed for other purposes where a physician may deem its use appropriate.
Alprazolam is a commonly prescribed drug. Unfortunately there is a great deal of abuse potential. Alprazolam is addictive. Also there are some pretty significant side effects associated with Alprazolam use. For most people, a natural anxiety remedy is a better choice than Alprazolam.
Alprazolam is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and nausea due to chemotherapy. The FDA label advises that the physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug.
In the US alprazolam is FDA-approved for the treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Alprazolam is effective in the relief of moderate to severe anxiety and panic attacks. Systematic clinical studies of effectiveness in treating panic disorder have been limited to 4 to 10 weeks. However, patients with panic disorder have been treated on an open basis for up to 8 months without apparent loss of benefit.
Alprazolam is recommended by the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) for treatment resistant cases of panic disorder where there is no history of tolerance or dependence, as of 2002.
In the US alprazolam is FDA-approved for the management of anxiety disorders (a condition corresponding most closely to the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual DSM-III-R diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder) or the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety associated with depression is responsive to alprazolam. Demonstrations of the effectiveness by systematic clinical study are limited to 4 months duration for anxiety disorder.
In the UK, alprazolam is recommended for the short-term treatment (2–4 weeks) of severe acute anxiety.
Long term users of alprazolam may develop depression.
Alprazolam may be used in combination with other medications for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to alprazolam: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using alprazolam and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;
confusion, hyperactivity, agitation, hostility, hallucinations;
feeling like you might pass out;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
uncontrolled muscle movements, tremor, seizure (convulsions); or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious alprazolam side effects may include:
drowsiness, dizziness, feeling tired or irritable;
blurred vision, headache, memory problems, trouble concentrating;
sleep problems (insomnia);
swelling in your hands or feet;
muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination, slurred speech;
upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea;
increased sweating, dry mouth, stuffy nose.
You must not use Alprazolam during pregnancy or if you are trying to become pregnant due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery.
You must not use Alprazolam during breastfeeding.
Before taking alprazolam,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), halazepam (Paxipam), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), prazepam (Centrax), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), or any other medications.
tell your doctor if you are taking itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral). Your doctor willl probably tell you not to take alprazolam.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), and nefazodone; antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend); antihistamines; cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); ergotamine (Cafatine, Cafergot, Wigraine, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for mental illness, chronic pain, and seizures; nicardipine (Cardene); nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
tell your doctor if you have glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that may cause loss of sight). Your doctor may tell you not to take alprazolam.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression; if you have had thoughts of suicide or harming yourself; if you have alcoholism or if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol; if you use or have ever used street drugs or have overused prescription medications; if you smoke; if you have had seizures; or if you have or have ever had lung, kidney, or liver disease.
talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should receive low doses of alprazolam because higher doses may not work better and may cause serious side effects.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking alprazolam.
you should know that alprazolam may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can make the side effects of alprazolam worse.
User Rating: 10, November 12, 2009 3:14 PM
alprazolam for Panic Disorder: BEST THING EVER. I HAD PANIC ATTACKS SO BAD IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE LOSING IT BUT 2 x 1mg TABLETS A DAY AND THEY ARE NOW PRETTY MUCH HISTORY.
User Rating: 10, March 20, 2008 3:32 PM
alprazolam for Anxiety: This drug works well for anxiety and anxiety attacks. Sometimes it doesn't work quickly enough for me, but there really isn't a more fast acting drug in pill form that I'm aware of.
User Rating: 9.0, March 30, 2008 8:59 PM
alprazolam for Tinnitus: I've used this drug for 14 years. I developed severe tinnitus. The drug (per research at Oregon Health & Sciences Univ Tinnitus Clinic) seems to reduce the loudness I experience and was given me originally to reduce anxiety about head noise enough to let me sleep. I began taking 1 .25 mg tab per night. 14 years later I take 3 .25 per night to sleep. I take "drug holidays" every 3 monhs for a week. Side effects do occur if you do not progressively reduce dose as you go I've had no side effec
User Rating: 10, May 13, 2008 5:02 PM
alprazolam for Panic Disorder: i had real bad panic attacks so bad i thought i was going crazy...my doctor put me on zanax and i feel so much better ..i was afraid to leave my house .afraid to shop i would start to shop all of a sudden i had to run out the store.so much more things were happening.. ... i am calm cool and collective...
User Rating: 9.0, July 25, 2008 12:24 PM
alprazolam for Anxiety: I have generalized anxiety. Was on Klonopin for years mostly for sleep, but now I realize I have anxiety. I wanted so much off of benzo's, and finally after horrid withdrawal even tapering, got off Klonopin. Issues arose, heart palpitations, sweating, dry mouth, hair loss, everyone said back on Klonopin. I refused. Now my blood pressure also elevated.I am now taking xanax extended release and my blood pressure is normal, mouth not dry, no more sweating, palpitations.I feel normal again.
User Rating: 10, August 8, 2008 9:46 PM
alprazolam for Panic Disorder: ... After being in a tornado, I started suffering from severe panic attacks and post traumatic stress syndrome. Anything that even just remotely reminded me of my ordeal would set off a terrible panic attack. The ... stopped this very well. It also helps my anxiety disorder. ... No side effects and it helps me so much.
User Rating: 10, January 24, 2009 1:09 PM
alprazolam for Anxiety: This drug is just about the best thing that ever happened to me. Without it my panic attacks would have crippled me totally by now. I feel panic coming on, take a pill, and I am so very calm within minutes. No side effects and the best part is you don't have to take it regularly. Taken like an aspirin for a headache and works great.
User Rating: 10, March 12, 2008 11:37 PM
alprazolam for Panic Disorder: it works right away.
User Rating: 9.0, March 21, 2008 5:49 PM
alprazolam for Panic Disorder: I have bad anxiety sometimes, occasional panic attacks. but when I have panic attacks, I have BAD panic attacks. They help when I take one .25mg pill, sometimes if its really bad I have to take two.
User Rating: 9.0, June 7, 2008 10:14 AM
alprazolam for Anxiety: This drug [helped me extremely much]. I have suffered from Anxiety and Depression for almost 10 years, could not find a better dose to easy my anxiety, the worst instant was that I could not sleep continually for more than 4 weeks, I was close to a nervous breakdown situation until I found my GP to bring me this medicine. Amazing result, now after taking for 6 months, I can sleep 4-5 days a week, though still need time to fully recover. Recommend to all who suffer from depression and can not calm yourself down.