Alprazolam (By mouth)
al-PRA-zoe-lam
Treats anxiety and panic disorder.
Drug classes
Antianxiety (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Alprazolam is used to relieve symptoms of anxiety, including anxiety caused by depression. It is also used to treat panic disorder in some patients.
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Liquid, Dissolving Tablet, Long Acting Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Extended-release tablet: Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Disintegrating tablet: Dry your hands before you handle the tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Throw away any cotton that was in the bottle and reseal it tightly after each use.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not use this medicine if you are also using ketoconazole or itraconazole.
Some medicines and foods can affect how alprazolam works. Tell your doctor if you are using clarithromycin, cimetidine, cyclosporine, desipramine, diltiazem, ergotamine, erythromycin, fluconazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nefazodone, nicardipine, nifedipine, sertraline, theophylline, birth control pills, or seizure medicine.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to alprazolam or to similar medicines, are pregnant, or have narrow-angle glaucoma.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, lung problems, liver disease, kidney disease, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction, depression, mental illness, or seizures. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
This drug has a higher risk of overdose. Call your doctor if you have extreme dizziness or weakness, a slow heartbeat, or problems with coordination or memory.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Confusion, problems with coordination or memory
Extreme tiredness or weakness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing or speaking
Seizure
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Change in appetite or weight
Lightheadedness, drowsiness
Nervousness, restlessness
Loss of interest in sex
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Alprazolam Intensol, Alti-Alprazolam, Gabazolamine-0.5, Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
