Xanax - Instructions For Use, Reviews, Indications, Analogues

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Xanax

Instructions for use:

1. 1. Release form and composition
2. 2. Indications for use
3. 3. Contraindications
4. 4. Method of application and dosage
5. 5. Side effects
6. 6. Special instructions
7. 7. Drug interactions
8. 8. Analogs
9. 9. Terms and conditions of storage
10. 10. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies

Xanax is a triazolo-benzodiazepine derivative, anxiolytic agent (tranquilizer) with muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, sedative and hypnotic effects.

Release form and composition

• Tablets (10 pcs. In contoured cell packs, 3 packs in a cardboard box);
• Retard tablets (10 pcs. In blisters, 3 blisters in a cardboard box).

The active substance is alprazolam:

• 1 tablet - 0.25 or 0.5 mg;
• 1 retard tablet - 0.5 or 1 mg.

Indications for use

• Neurotic reactive-depressive and mixed anxiety-depressive states, accompanied by sleep disturbance, decreased mood and energy, psychomotor agitation, loss of interest in the environment, impaired cognitive activity, somatic complaints, poor appetite, changes in body weight, suicidal thoughts (low value, guilt) and others, including with organic and functional diseases (digestive, cardiovascular, dermatological), with somatic disorders, alcohol withdrawal syndrome;
• Anxiety and neuroses, accompanied by a deterioration in sleep, irritability, somatic disorders, anxiety, a feeling of tension, anxiety;
• Phobic and panic attacks in patients with agoraphobia;
• Panic conditions, including those combined with symptoms of phobia.

Contraindications

Absolute:

• Diseases of the thyroid gland (tablets 0.5 mg);
• Angle-closure glaucoma or a predisposition to it;
• Acute respiratory failure;
• Chronic obstructive airway disease with initial manifestations of respiratory failure;
• Myasthenia gravis;
• Shock;
• Coma;
• Acute alcohol poisoning (conditions accompanied by a weakening of vital functions), hypnotics and psychotropic drugs, opioid analgesics;
• Age under 18;
• The period of pregnancy (especially the first trimester) and lactation;
• Hypersensitivity to the drug or other benzodiazepines.

Xanax is not intended for the treatment of psychotic depression (not effective).

With extreme caution, the drug should be used in case of impaired renal and liver function, panic disorders, suicidal tendencies, severe depression.

Method of administration and dosage

Xanax should be taken orally.

The optimal therapeutic dose is set individually for each patient, depending on the severity of the symptoms of the disease and the severity of the clinical effect of the drug.

Typically, standard doses are sufficient for most patients. In some cases, higher doses are required. The increase should be done with caution and gradually. If a high dose is prescribed, more of the drug should be taken before bedtime.

Periodically during treatment, the patient's condition should be reevaluated and, if necessary, the dose should be adjusted.

In the event of side effects, the dose of Xanax is reduced.

Treatment for anxiety and depressive disorders can last up to 6 months, for panic disorders up to 8 months.

Cancellation of the drug should be carried out gradually, reducing the dose by no more than 0.5 mg every 3 days, in some cases even more slowly.

Tablets

Recommended doses depending on the indication:

• Anxiety: the initial dose is 0.25-0.5 mg 3 times / day, the maintenance dose is 0.5-4 mg / day, divided into several doses;
• Panic disorder: the initial dose is 0.5 mg 3 times a day or 0.5-1 mg at bedtime. The maintenance dose is selected individually, taking into account the severity of the clinical effect, the increase is carried out by no more than 1 mg every 3-4 days. The optimal average dose, according to clinical studies, is 5.7 ± 2.27 mg / day, in some cases, a maximum daily dose of 10 mg was required;
• Depression: the initial dose is 0.5 mg 3 times / day, the maintenance dose is 1.5-4.5 mg / day, divided into several doses.

For the elderly and debilitated patients, the initial dose is 0.25 mg 2-3 times / day, the maintenance dose is 0.5-0.75 mg / day in several doses, if necessary, the dose is gradually increased.

Retard tablets

Recommended doses depending on the indications:

• Anxiety: the initial dose is 1 mg / day in 1 or 2 doses, the maintenance dose is 0.5-4 mg / day in 1-2 doses;
• Panic disorder: the initial dose is 0.5 mg 2 times / day or 0.5-1 mg at bedtime. The maintenance dose is selected individually, taking into account the severity of the clinical effect, the increase is carried out by no more than 1 mg every 3-4 days. The optimal average dose, according to clinical studies, is 5-6 mg / day in 1-2 doses, in some cases, a maximum daily dose of 10 mg was required;
• Depression: the initial dose is 1 mg / day in 1-2 doses, the maintenance dose is 0.5-4.5 mg / day in 1-2 doses.

For the elderly, the initial dose is 0.5-1 mg / day in 1-2 doses, the maintenance dose is 0.5-1 mg / day, if necessary, the dose is gradually increased.

Side effects

• Digestive system: drooling or dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, increased activity of hepatic transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, liver dysfunction, jaundice;
• Central nervous system: at the beginning of treatment (especially in the elderly) - increased fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, slowing down of motor and mental reactions, decreased ability to concentrate, gait instability, disorientation, ataxia; rarely - dystonic extrapyramidal reactions (uncontrolled movements, including the eyes), memory impairment, headache, impaired coordination of movements, tremor, depression of mood, weakness, confusion, euphoria, dysarthria, myasthenia gravis, depression; in some cases - paradoxical reactions (psychomotor agitation, confusion, irritability, hallucinations, aggressive outbursts, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, muscle spasm, fear, suicidal tendencies);
• Cardiovascular system: lowering blood pressure, tachycardia;
• Hemostatic system: agranulocytosis (sore throat, pyrexia, chills, excessive fatigue or weakness), thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia;
• Urinary system: dysmenorrhea, urinary incontinence or retention, decreased or increased libido, impaired renal function;
• Endocrine system: changes in body weight, menstrual irregularities and libido;
• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching.

special instructions

Compared with patients suffering from chronic alcoholism or previously receiving anxiolytics or antidepressants, in patients who have not previously taken drugs that affect the central nervous system, alprazolam is effective in lower doses.

Treatment of endogenous depression can be carried out by combining Xanax with antidepressants. In patients with depression, the drug can cause the development of manic and hypomanic states.

With long-term treatment with high doses of alprazolam, addiction and drug dependence may develop, especially in patients prone to drug abuse.

With a sharp cancellation or a rapid decrease in the dose of the drug, a withdrawal syndrome is observed, manifested by symptoms of varying severity - from insomnia and slight dysphoria to a severe syndrome with tremors, increased sweating, vomiting, abdominal and skeletal muscle cramps, convulsions. Most often, withdrawal syndrome is observed in patients receiving Xanax for a long time (more than 8-12 weeks).

During treatment, one should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages, driving a car and engaging in potentially hazardous activities that require a high reaction rate and increased attention.

Xanax should not be used concurrently with other tranquilizers.

Drug interactions

• Anticonvulsants and psychotropic drugs, ethanol, blockers of histamine H ₂ receptors: the inhibitory effect of alprazolam on the central nervous system (CNS) is enhanced;
• Antibiotics from the macrolide group: the clearance of alprazolam decreases;
• Oral hormonal contraceptives: the half-life of alprazolam increases;
• Dextropropoxyphene: the concentration of alprazolam in the blood plasma increases, due to which a more pronounced depression of the central nervous system is possible than in cases of using alprazolam with other benzodiazepines;
• Digoxin: the risk of developing intoxication with cardiac glycosides increases;
• Imipramine: its concentration in blood plasma increases;
• Paroxetine, itraconazole, ketoconazole and presumably erythromycin: the effects of alprazolam are enhanced;
• Fluoxetine, fluvoxamine: the concentration of alprazolam in the blood plasma increases, the risk of developing its side effects increases.

Analogs

Xanax analogs are: Alzolam, Zolomax, Alprazolam, Xanax retard, Alprox, Kassadan, Helex SR, Neurol, Frontin, Helex.

Terms and conditions of storage

Keep out of the reach of children. Observe the temperature regime 20-25 ºС.

The shelf life is 3 years.

Terms of dispensing from pharmacies

Dispensed by prescription.

Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!