Why is this medication prescribed?
Among the conditions for which Alprazolam is prescribed include anxiety and panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). The benzodiazepines, of which alprazolam is a member, are a class of drugs. It works by calming the nervous system and reducing the amount of stress hormones in the body.
When used with some drugs, alprazolam may raise the risk of significant or even life-threatening respiratory difficulties, drowsiness, or coma. You should tell your doctor if you are currently taking or planning to take cough medications containing codeine (in Triacin-C, Tuzistra XR) or hydrocodone (in Anexsia, Norco, Zyfrel) or pain medications containing either codeine (in Fiorinal), fentanyl (in Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys, other), hydromorphone (in Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (in (Conzip, Ultram, in Ultracet). The doses of your drugs may need to be adjusted by your doctor, and he or she will keep an eye on you. If you have any of the following symptoms when taking alprazolam with any of these drugs, you should contact your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention right away: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, excessive drowsiness, delayed or trouble breathing, or unresponsiveness. In the event that you are unable to seek medical attention on your own, make sure that your caregiver or family members are aware of which symptoms are potentially life-threatening.
Alprazolam has the potential to become addictive. Do not exceed your doctor’s prescribed dosage, frequency, or duration. Your doctor will want to know about any past alcohol or drug abuse, as well as any misuse of prescription medicines. During your therapy, do not consume alcohol or use illegal substances. Drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs while taking alprazolam might raise your chance of experiencing these life-threatening adverse effects. You should also inform your doctor if you are or have ever been depressed or suffer from any other mental health condition.
A physical dependency (a condition in which unpleasant physical symptoms occur if a medicine is abruptly withdrawn or taken in reduced amounts) may develop if you use alprazolam for a long period of time. Do not discontinue or reduce the dosage of this medicine without first seeing your doctor. Alprazolam withdrawal symptoms might extend from a few weeks to more than a year if you abruptly stop using it. Alprazolam dosage is likely to be decreased gradually by your physician. If you see any of the following signs or symptoms, you should contact your physician or seek immediate medical attention: You may experience unusual movements, ringing in your ears, anxiety, memory difficulties, sleep issues or seizures. You may also experience muscle twitching, shaking or muscle twitching, as well as changes in mental health and depression. You may also experience thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, overexcitement or losing your sense of reality, as well as seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear.
