Alprazolam: Uses, indications and cautions when using

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Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, which works by increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and anxiety caused by depression.

1. What is Alprazolam?

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Alprazolam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines that work on the brain and central nervous system. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).

2. How to use Alprazolam?

Patients should carefully read the medication instructions provided by the pharmacist before you start taking alprazolam and each time you use it. Dosage is based on the patient's medical condition, age, and response to treatment. The dose may be gradually increased until the medication begins to work. Take your medication strictly according to your doctor's instructions to reduce the risk of side effects.
If you suddenly stop using this medicine, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as seizures). To help prevent this withdrawal, the doctor may have the patient reduce the dose slowly. Withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur if you have been using alprazolam for a long time or in high doses. Alprazolam has a higher risk of addiction if you have a stimulant use disorder (such as abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction). Therefore, take this medication exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of addiction.
MORE: Does long-term use of medication for anxiety disorders have any effect?

3. Alprazolam side effects

In addition to the therapeutic effects, when patients use Alprazolam, they may experience unwanted effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, increased salivation, and changes in sex drive. To reduce the risk of falling due to dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. If any of these side effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor right away. Serious side effects include mood swings (hallucinations, thoughts of suicide), difficulty speaking, loss of coordination, difficulty walking, memory problems. Some signs of an allergic reaction to Alprazolam that you need to pay attention to to call an ambulance promptly include: hives; shortness of breath; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

4. Precautions while using Alprazolam

Because the drug can have some side effects, patients should note when using Alprazolam as follows:
Before taking alprazolam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or with other benzodiazepines (such as diazepam, lorazepam); or if you have any other allergies to the ingredients. Tell your doctor your medical history before taking this medicine, especially of: serious breathing problems, lung problems (such as COPD, sleep apnea), liver disease, kidney disease, personal history or Family history of substance use disorders (such as overuse or addiction to drugs or alcohol), glaucoma. Do not drive, use machinery when using the drug because the drug can cause dizziness, drowsiness, avoid alcoholic beverages. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially decreased coordination and drowsiness, which increase the risk of falls in the elderly. Alprazolam may cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in infants. Therefore, do not use the drug if you are pregnant. This medicine passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in the baby. Therefore, you should not breast-feed while using the drug.

5. Alprazolam drug interactions

Taking alprazolam with other medicines that make you drowsy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous, even fatal, side effects. Ask your doctor before using an opioid, sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, prescription cough medicine, or medicine for depression or seizures.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: kava, sodium oxybate. Other drugs may affect the removal of alprazolam from your body, which may affect how alprazolam works. Examples: antidepressants (such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone), azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), cimetidine, HIV medications (delavirdine, protease inhibitors such as indinavir), macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin) ), rifamycins (rifabutin), medicines to treat seizures (phenytoin).

6. Notes when using Alprazolam

Patients need to take Alprazolam exactly as prescribed by the doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, do not double the dose to catch up. Never use Alprazolam in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel you want to use more and more of this medicine.
Remember to use Alprazolam only when prescribed by your doctor. Keep the medicine in a safe place where others cannot get it. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose or death.
Alprazolam is prescribed by a doctor to treat anxiety disorders, in order for the drug to work best, patients need to follow the doctor's instructions. In case the use of the drug is not effective, the patient should stop the drug and go to the medical facility for examination and treatment and be prescribed a more suitable drug.
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Reference source: webmd.com