Alprazolam is a type of benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). It is believed to work by increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and depression-related anxiety.

Buying Alprazolam on the Internet or outside the United States is risky. The sale and distribution of medicines outside the United States violates the Food and Drug Administration's safe-use regulations (FDA). These medications may contain hazardous ingredients or be distributed by a non-licensed pharmacy.

Patients should carefully read the medication instructions provided by the pharmacist before taking alprazolam and each time using it. Dosage is based on the patient's medical condition, age, and response to treatment. The dose may be gradually increased until the medication begins to work. Take your medication strictly according to your doctor's instructions to reduce the risk of side effects.

If you suddenly stop using this medicine, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as seizures). To help prevent this withdrawal, the doctor may have the patient reduce the dose slowly. Withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur if you have been using alprazolam for a long time or in high doses. Alprazolam has a higher risk of addiction if you have a stimulant use disorder (such as abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction). Therefore, take this medication exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of addiction.

If you experience hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, seek emergency medical attention.

Alprazolam can cause your breathing to slow or stop, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. If you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue lips, or are difficult to wake up, someone caring for you should seek emergency medical attention.

If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away:

• weak or shallow breathing;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• a seizure;
• hallucinations, risk-taking behavior;
• increased energy, decreased need for sleep;
• racing thoughts, being agitated or talkative;
• double vision; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

In older people, drowsiness or dizziness may last longer. Use caution to avoid falling or being injured by accident.

The following are some of the most common alprazolam side effects:

• drowsiness; or
• feeling light-headed.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after discontinuing alprazolam: unusual muscle movements, increased activity or talkativeness, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions, seek medical attention immediately.

Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after abruptly discontinuing this medication. Tell your doctor if you have persistent anxiety, depression, memory or thinking problems, difficulty sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly sensation, or a crawling sensation under your skin.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects; others may occur. For medical advice on side effects, contact your doctor. You can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

ALPRAZOLAM MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH and should only be used by the person for whom it was prescribed. Keep the medication in a location where others cannot access it.

If you combine alprazolam with alcohol, opioid medication, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing, you may experience fatal side effects.

Do not discontinue this medication without first consulting your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking the medication after a long period of use, you may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Some withdrawal symptoms can last up to a year or more.

If you stop using alprazolam and experience symptoms such as unusual muscle movements, increased activity or talkativeness, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or suicidal thoughts, seek medical attention right away.

If you have narrow-angle glaucoma, are taking itraconazole or ketoconazole, or are allergic to alprazolam or similar medications (Valium, Ativan, Tranxene, and others), you should avoid using it.

If you are pregnant, do not take alprazolam. This medication has the potential to cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in newborns.

You should not take alprazolam if you have:

• you are also taking an antifungal medication such as itraconazole or ketoconazole; or
• you have a history of benzodiazepine hypersensitivity (alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam, Ativan, Valium, Versed, Klonopin, and others).

To ensure that alprazolam is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have ever:

• breathing difficulties;
• addiction to drugs or alcohol;
• depression, mood disorders, or suicidal ideation or behavior; or
• disease of the kidneys or liver.

If you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, inform your doctor. If you use alprazolam while pregnant, your baby may be born with potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms and may require medical treatment for several weeks.

Breastfeeding is not recommended. If you do breastfeed, notify your doctor if your baby becomes drowsy or has feeding problems.

Anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted to use this product.

Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety:

Immediate-release tablets/orally disintegrating tablets (ODT): 0.25 to 0.5 mg orally administered 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 4 mg/day

Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder:

Immediate-release tablets/ODTs: 0.5 mg orally administered 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Extended-release tablets:

• Initial dose: 0.5 to 1 mg orally once a day
• Maintenance dose: 3 to 6 mg orally per day, preferably in the morning
• Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Comments:

• The lowest effective dose should be used, and the need for continued treatment should be evaluated on a regular basis.
• When discontinuing therapy or reducing the daily dosage, the dosage should be reduced gradually.
• A daily dosage reduction of no more than 0.5 mg every 3 days is permitted; however, some patients may require a slower dosage reduction.
• The dose of extended-release tablets may be increased in increments of no more than 1 mg per day every 3 to 4 days.
• The administration times should be spread out as evenly as possible throughout the waking hours.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Anxiety:
Elderly or debilitated patients:

Immediate-release tablets/ODTs: 0.25 mg orally administered 2 or 3 times a day.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Panic Disorder:

Elderly or debilitated patients:

Immediate-release tablets/ODTs:

• Initial dose: 0.25 mg orally administered 2 or 3 times a day

Extended-release tablets:

• Initial dose: 0.5 mg orally once a day
  

Comments:

• If side effects occur, the dose may be reduced.
• The lowest effective dose should be used, and the need for continued treatment should be reassessed on a regular basis.
• When discontinuing therapy or reducing the daily dosage, dosage should be reduced gradually.

Taking Alprazolam with other medicines that make you drowsy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous, even fatal, side effects. Ask your doctor before using an opioid, sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, prescription cough medicine, or medicine for depression or seizures.

Some products that may interact with this drug include kava, and sodium oxybate. Other drugs may affect the removal of alprazolam from your body, which may affect how alprazolam works. Examples: antidepressants (such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone), azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), cimetidine, HIV medications (delavirdine, protease inhibitors such as indinavir), macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin) ), rifamycins (rifabutin), medicines to treat seizures (phenytoin).

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medication as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is approaching. Take no more than one dose at a time.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention or dial 1-800-222-1222 for Poison Help. An alprazolam overdose can be fatal if combined with alcohol, opioid medication, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow breathing.
• Severe drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeats, weak or shallow breathing, fainting, or coma are all possible overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking alprazolam?

• Avoid consuming alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death are possible.
• Avoid driving or other potentially hazardous activities until you know how alprazolam will affect you. Dizziness and drowsiness can lead to falls, accidents, and serious injuries.