Depression Medication
Depression Medication

Xanax - Depression Medication

XANAX Information

What is XANAX?

XANAX contains alprazolam and belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. The clinical trials approved by the FDA in 1981 have shown that XANAX is effective in the therapy of Panic Disorder, anxiety associated with depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and agoraphobia.

Is there any difference between XANAX XR (tablets with an extended release of alprazolam) and XANAX?

XANAX XR is prescribed for the therapy of panic disorder. XANAX XR is a once daily formulation of XANAX (tablets of alprazolam), and it is the medication #1 containing benzodiazepine that is prescribed in the United States. Is there any difference between them? XANAX XR can be taken once a day while patients treated with XANAX have to take their medications 3 or 4 times a day.

How fast does XANAX bring relief?

In the therapy of nervous disorders, XANAX may bring prompt relief of symptoms. A healthy grown-up person taking an early-morning dose (8 am) of XANAX may feel effect within 1 to 2 hours.

Am I supposed to follow a diet while taking XANAX?

Yes. Consult your doctor any time you take alcohol and other drugs, including medications sold without a prescription. Alcohol should not be taken during benzodiazepines therapy.

I'm pregnant. Can I take XANAX?

In the first 3 months of pregnancy the use of XANAX is strongly prohibited and is not recommended during the following 6 months. Please inform your doctor if you are expecting a baby or if you are planning a conception, or if you became pregnant while you are taking this medication.

Can I bring up a baby while taking XANAX?

Mothers who must use XANAX should not be bringing up a baby. Consult your doctor if you are planning to nurse.

Is XANAX appropriate for adolescent?

Effectiveness and safety of XANAX in juveniles below 18 years of age have not been established.

Is XANAX safe for aged patients?

The mature may be more easily influenced by benzodiazepines. In the elderly individuals the least effective dose of XANAX should be used to prevent the progress of oversedation and ataxia.

Will XANAX change my daily routine?

Until you get accustomed with the effects the medication makes on you, do not operate potentially dangerous apparatuses or drive a car, etc.

Will overdosing XANAX make me any harm?

Never increase the amount of medication you take in even if you think that the effect of drugs vanished without consulting your physician. Benzodiazepines can lead to emotional and/or physical addiction.

Can I just discontinue XANAX therapy if I feel no effect of it?

Do not stop taking XANAX abruptly or reduce the dose without informing your doctor, because severe withdrawal symptoms can occur.

What is meant by "controlled substance"? Does XANAX belong to this category?

Controlled substances are substances and drugs that have been registered in one of five categories by the Drug Enforcement Administration taking into account their addiction and abuse potential, medical use and harmfulness. For example, Alprazolam is controlled by the Controlled Substance Act and XANAX Tablets have been categorized to Schedule IV. (During transfers, controlled substances should be kept in the container they were sold in.)

Most medications that are prescribed by a doctor are not categorized as controlled substances. However the US Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations register certain substances to one of five "schedules." These substances are placed in a schedule taking into account their dependency and abuse potential, medical use and harmfulness. Schedule I substances have no acknowledged medical use for therapy in the United States and are not available by prescription. Schedule II, III, IV and V substances have accepted medical treatment and varying potentials for addiction and abuse. The lowest schedule number corresponds with the highest potential for abuse. Substances can be prescribed by physicians, veterinarians, dentists, medical assistants (in some states), and nurse practitioners who are licensed by a State and registered with DEA. Controlled substances contain narcotics (pain relievers), depressants, anabolic steroids, hallucinogens and stimulants.

Examples of Controlled Substances (When used correctly and as prescribed by a medical doctor, drugs of Schedule II-V have approved medical uses.)
Schedule Schedule II Schedule III Schedule IV Schedule V
Metamphetamine Heroin Codeine Oxycodone Barbiturates Tylenol with Ambien (zolpidem) Lomotil (diphenoxylate)
Marijuana Ritalin (methylphenidate) Codeine Vicodin (hydrocodone) Sonata (zaleplon) XANAX Robitussin A-C

This is not a full list of controlled substances. These drugs are only examples from each schedule list. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What schedule is XANAX registered to?

XANAX is a Schedule IV medication, this category has a low potential for abuse as compared with the drugs or other pills in Schedule III. Certain unfavorable clinical events, some of them threatening a life, are a result of physical addiction to XANAX. These cases include a spectrum of withdrawal symptoms; the most crucial ones are possible seizures. There is some risk of addiction even after comparatively short-term use at the doses recommended for the therapy of anxiety disorder and transient anxiety (0.75-4.0 mg per day). The danger of addiction and its severity seem to be greater in patients treated with doses higher than 4 mg a day and for more than 12 weeks according to spontaneous reporting system data.

Formerly Panic Disorder was believed to originate from "emotional troubles." Today scientists consider that Panic Disorder is a real and curable medical illness evoked by a list of psychological, environmental and biological factors. It is an illness sometimes accompanied by depression.

Contrary to former mutual conviction, Panic Disorder is not caused by a "character weakness" or "character flaw." Panic Disorder is a real health disorder that is curable.

From the biological point of view, emotional memories saved in specific areas of the brain may cause disorders involving very distinct fears, like phobias, while disorders in other areas may cause other forms of nervousness.

Some scientists suppose that Panic Disorder may originate from misbalance of some chemicals in the brain. Three of these chemicals are called serotonin, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and norepinephrine. It is assumed that changes in the levels of these chemicals play a part in anxiety disorder.

Panic Disorder seems to flow in families and is more widespread among women than among men. Hereditary factors or genetic changes in chemistry of a body, together with stress, some medications, or even stimulants like caffeine, illnesses, and certain social situations may lead individual to a Panic Disorder.