Xanax, also known as Alprazolam is used to treat patients with anxiety or a panic disorder. Xanax is in a class of drugs called Benzodiazepine. Xanax is the generic prescription drug. It is only available through your doctor or attending psychiatrist. This prescription drug is unsafe if taken without a consenting doctor’s approval.
Xanax helps calm the patient by suppressing the urge to have an anxiety attack or panic attack in the central part of the nervous system. Xanax is a powerful sedative medication for anxiety that ranges per dose in each patient with different reactions. A low dose of Xanax should cause a calmness in the patient to lessen the feelings of overwhelming fear. A high dose of Xanax will put the patient in a sedated or hypnosis. The amount of the dose depends on the patient and his mental anxiety. This prescription drug is a quick responding medication to ease attacks within minutes.
Xanax is a safe drug to take while being in a superior class of the Benzodiazepine drugs. It is preferred because it is less addictive, reacts quicker than other prescription medications utilized in treating panic attacks or anxiety disorders and is quickly expelled from the body.
The tablets come in a single two mg dose that can be divided into half, third or fourth. Xanax is prescribed for about eight weeks while most patients are weaned off of the prescription within the two month time frame others have been taking it for extended periods of time depending on the disorder. Some patients are prescribed as much as four mg per day at three doses a day.
There is some discussion surrounding the effectiveness of Xanax but it is generally agreed among doctors and their patients that it does work and is useful in the treatment of panic disorders or anxiety attacks. Xanax can be addictive if taken for prolonged periods of time and is difficult to stop. Xanax was intended for only four months of usage and not for years. Xanax also may cause side effects like – weight loses, problem with concentrating, dry mouth, dizziness etc… Talk to your doctor to avoid serious side effects of Xanax.
Xanax should not be taken be expectant mothers or those nursing their babies. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of having the child born with congenital defects. Children under eighteen years of age should not take or be given this prescription medication. It is not intended for young children nor recommended for some elderly patients as an increased risk of sedation and possible death have been suggested.
Never purchase Xanax without a prescription. While it is available via the internet it is dangerous to take this prescription medication without the express consent of your physician or physiatrist.
A prescribing doctor can give you the medication for any of the following reasons:
Have you been on edge or have unrealistic worries or anxiety over at least two events in your life within the last six months? Have you spent most of your days concerned or obsessing about those events or what ifs? Has this feeling of anxiety or panic caused you to change your sleeping habits? Eating habits? Are you on the edge of acting out of the fear or panic?
A doctor may also prescribe Xanax for the short term relief of depression in some patients. As with any medication follow the doctor’s recommendations carefully.
While taking Xanax, or any prescription drug for anxiety or panic attacks do not drink alcohol or use social drugs including marijuana. Drinking alcohol may cause an addiction to the prescription drug Xanax with severe withdrawal symptoms when getting off of the medication.