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- $Unique_ID{BRK03017}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{alprazolam}
- $Subject{Xanax Upjohn Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic alprazolam anxiety
- associated depression depressant central nervous system nervousness}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Xanax .25 mg*0301701.scf
- Xanax .5 mg*0301702.scf
- Xanax 1 mg*0301703.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- alprazolam
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Xanax (Upjohn)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- alprazolam
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- Alprazolam is prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety and anxiety
- associated with depression. It may work by acting as a depressant of the
- central nervous system. This drug is currently used by many people to relieve
- nervousness. It is effective for this purpose for short periods, but it is
- important to try to remove the cause of the anxiety as well.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- This drug should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. It can be
- taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Do not take
- this drug with antacids, as they may retard its absorption from the
- gastrointestinal tract.
- If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose, take the
- missed dose immediately if you remember within an hour of the scheduled dose.
- If more than an hour has passed, skip the dose you missed and wait for the
- next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Bitter taste in mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness
- (after a night's sleep), dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue, flushing,
- headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sweating, or
- vomiting. As you adjust to the drug, these effects should disappear.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
- chips.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- blurred or double vision, chest pain, severe depression, difficulty in
- urinating, fainting, falling, fever, hallucinations, joint pain, mouth sores,
- nightmares, palpitations, rash, shortness of breath, slurred speech, sore
- throat, uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness, or
- yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Alprazolam interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol,
- other sedative drugs, central nervous system depressants (such as
- antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medications, narcotics,
- medicines for seizures, and phenothiazine tranquilizers), or antidepressant
- medications.
- 2. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine,
- levodopa, and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) and may increase the side
- effects of phenytoin.
- 3. Disulfiram, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), isoniazid, and
- cimetidine can increase the blood levels of alprazolam, which can lead to
- toxic effects.
- 4. Concurrent use of rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of
- alprazolam.
- Before starting to take alprazolam, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
- medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to alprazolam or other benzodiazepine
- tranquilizers (such as chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam,
- halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, temazepam, or triazolam).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
- kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, narrow-angle
- glaucoma, porphyria, mental depression, mental illness, or sleep apnea.
- * This medicine can cause drowsiness. Avoid tasks that require mental
- alertness, such as driving a car or using potentially dangerous equipment.
- * This medication has the potential for abuse and must be used with
- caution. Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase the dosage of the
- drug without first consulting your doctor. It is also important not to stop
- this drug suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if you have
- used it for several weeks. Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage
- gradually.
- * This is a safe drug when used properly. When it is combined with other
- sedative drugs or alcohol, however, serious side effects can develop.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This medicine may
- increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three
- months of pregnancy. In addition, too much use of this medicine during the
- last six months of pregnancy may result in addiction of the fetus--leading to
- withdrawal side effects in the newborn. Also, use of this medicine during the
- last weeks of pregnancy may cause drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing
- difficulties in the infant. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding
- an infant. This medicine can pass into breast milk and cause excessive
- drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in nursing infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-