Alprazolam
Brand names
- Alprazolam Intensol
- Alti-Alprazolam
- Apo-Alpraz
- Gen-Alprazolam
- Med-Alprazolam
- Novo-Alprazol
- Nu-Alpraz
- Xanax
Usage
To treat anxiety and
panic disorder.
How it works
In general, it produces mild
sedation by depressing activity in the central
nervous system. In particular, it appears
to enhance the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA), a natural chemical
that inhibits the firing of neurons and dampens
the transmission of nerve signals, thus
decreasing nervous excitation.
Side effects
- Serious
- Difficulty concentrating, outbursts of anger, other behavior
problems, depression, hallucinations,
low blood pressure
(causing faintness or confusion), memory impairment,
muscle weakness, skin rash or
itching,
sore throat,
fever
and chills, sores or ulcers in throat or mouth, unusual
bruising or
bleeding, extreme
fatigue, yellowish tinge to
eyes or skin.
- Common
- Drowsiness, loss of coordination, unsteady gait,
dizziness,
lightheadedness, slurred speech.
- Less common
- Change in sexual desire or ability, constipation, false sense
of well-being, nausea and vomiting, urinary problems,
unusual fatigue.
Possible interactions
- Other medicaments:
Alprazolam may increase the effects of:
- digoxin (Lanoxin) and cause digoxin toxicity.
Alprazolam may decrease the effects of:
The following medicaments may increase the effects of alprazolam:
- amprenavir (Agenerase).
- itraconazole or ketoconazole (azole antifungals).
- birth control pills (oral contraceptives-various kinds).
- cimetidine (Tagamet).
- delavirdine (Rescriptor).
- disulfiram (Antabuse).
- fluconazole (Diffuse).
- fluoxetine (Prozac).
- fluvoxamine (Luvox).
- isoniazid (INH, Rifamate, etc.).
- macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, clarithromycin or azithromycin).
- medicines that inhibit a liver enzyme (CYP3A4) will increase alprazolam levels (talk to your pharmacist).
- omeprazole (Prilosec).
- paroxetine (Paxil).
- propoxyphene (Darvon, etc.).
- ritonavir (Norvir) and perhaps other protease inhibitors.
- sertraline (Zoloft).
- valproic acid (Depakene).
The following medicaments may decrease the effects of alprazolam:
Alprazolam taken concurrently with:
- alcohol (ethanol) will worsen coordination and mental abilities.
- benzodiazepines can cause increased central nervous system (CNS) depression.
- buspirone (Buspar) can result in additive CNS depression.
- central nervous system active agents can cause increased central nervous system (CNS) depression.
- narcotics (morphine, etc.) cause additive CNS depression.
- nefazidone (Serzone) may double the
blood level.
- tricyclic and other kinds of antidepressants results in additional CNS depression.
- Herbal medicines or minerals:
- Kava and
valerian may exacerbate central nervous system depression (avoid this combination). Kola nut, Siberian ginseng,
mate, and
ephedra may blunt the benefits of this medicine. While
St. John's wort is indicated for anxiety, it is also thought to increase (induce)
cytochrome P450 enzymes and will tend to blunt alprazolam effectiveness
if combined with alprazolam. St. John's wort may also worsen sun
sensitivity caused by alprazolam.
- Beverages:
- Avoid excessive caffeine-containing beverages: coffee, tea, cola
(counteracts effects). This medicament may be taken with milk.
- Alcohol:
- Use with extreme caution. Alcohol may increase the sedative effects of
alprazolam. Alprazolam may increase the intoxicating effects of alcohol.
Avoid alcohol completely-throughout the day and night-if you find it
necessary to drive or engage in any hazardous activity.
- Tobacco smoking:
- Heavy smoking may reduce calming.
- Exposure to sun:
- Use caution; rare photosensitivity reports.
- Discontinuation:
- If this medicament has been taken for an extended period of time, do
not stop it abruptly. Slowly reduce dose by 1 mg per week until a total daily
dose of 4 mg is reached; by 0.5 mg per week until a total daily dose of 2 mg
is reached; and then by 0.25 mg per week thereafter. Ask your doctor for help.
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