Xanax Oral

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety.

Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.

Xanax may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use Xanax if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, if you also take itraconazole or ketoconazole, or if you are allergic to Xanax or similar medicines (Valium, Ativan, Tranxene, and others).

Do not use Xanax if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.

Alprazolam may be habit-forming. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Xanax. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. Alprazolam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

It is dangerous to purchase Xanax on the Internet or from vendors outside the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. The sale and distribution of Xanax outside the U.S. does not comply with the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the safe use of this medication.

You should not take Xanax if you have:

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• if you are also taking itraconazole or ketoconazole; or

• if you are allergic to alprazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).

To make sure Xanax is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• seizures or epilepsy;

• kidney or liver disease (especially alcoholic liver disease);

• asthma or other breathing disorder;

• open-angle glaucoma;

• a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior;

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or

• if you also use a narcotic (opioid) medication.

Do not use Xanax if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause birth defects. Your baby could also become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Xanax.

Alprazolam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Xanax.

The sedative effects of Xanax may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Xanax.

Xanax is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Take Xanax exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never use alprazolam in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your symptoms.

Alprazolam may be habit-forming. Never share Xanax with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Do not crush, chew, or break a Xanax extended-release tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.

Call your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your panic or anxiety symptoms.

Do not stop using Xanax suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Store Xanax at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Xanax is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• cimetidine;

• digoxin;

• fluvoxamine;

• nefazodone;

• ritonavir or other medicines to treat HIV or AIDS; or

• antifungal medicine - fluconazole, voriconazole.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with alprazolam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Applies to alprazolam: compounding powder, oral concentrate, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating, oral tablet extended release

General

The most commonly reported side effects were fatigue, tiredness, drowsiness, impaired coordination, and memory impairment.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Irritability (33.1%), anxiety (19.2%), depression (13.9%), confusional state (10.4%),
Common (1% to 10%): Disinhibition, talkativeness, derealization, dream abnormalities, fear
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anger
Frequency not reported: Hallucinations, depersonalization, aggression, hostility, abnormal thinking, withdrawal symptoms
Postmarketing reports: Hypomania, mania[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Drowsiness (up to 76.8%), impaired coordination (40.1%), memory impairment (33.1%), light-headedness/dizziness (29.8%), insomnia (29.5%). headache (29.2%), cognitive disorder (28.8%), dysarthria (23.3%), abnormal involuntary movement (17.3%), somnolence, ataxia, balance disorder
Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness, syncope, akathisia, agitation, paresthesia, tinnitus, disturbance in attention, hypersomnia, lethargy
Frequency not reported: Dystonia, transient amnesia, loss of coordination, seizures, sedation, slurred speech, taste alterations, psychomotor hyperactivity, autonomic nervous system imbalance, autonomic manifestations, concentration difficulties[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Jaundice, elevated bilirubin, elevated hepatic enzymes, abnormal hepatic function
Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, hepatic failure[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Nasal congestion (17.4%)
Common (1% to 10%): Hyperventilation, upper respiratory infection[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue/tiredness (48.6%)
Common (1% to 10%): Weakness, felling warm, edema
Frequency not reported: Sleepiness, peripheral edema[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Blurred vision (21%)
Frequency not reported: Diplopia, increased intraocular pressure[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Decreased libido (14.4%), micturition difficulties (12.2%), menstrual disorders (10.4%)
Common (1% to 10%): Increased libido, change in libido, sexual dysfunction, incontinence
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Irregular menstruation
Frequency not reported: Urinary retention[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Decreased salivation (32.8%), constipation (26.2%), nausea/vomiting (22%), diarrhea (20.6%), abdominal distress (18.3%), dry mouth (14.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Increased salivation
Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal disorder[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Sweating (15.1%), rash (10.8%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dermatitis/allergy
Frequency not reported: Pruritus, photosensitivity reaction
Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema[Ref]

Endocrine

Postmarketing reports: Hyperprolactinemia, gynecomastia, galactorrhea[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Tachycardia (15.4%), chest pain (10.6%)
Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, hypotension[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Rigidity, tremor, muscular twitching, muscle tone disorders, vasomotor disturbances, muscular cramps, muscular stiffness
Frequency not reported: Musculoskeletal weakness[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Increased appetite (32.7%), decreased appetite (27.8%), weight gain (27.2%), weight loss (22.6%)
Frequency not reported: Anorexia[Ref]

Some side effects of Xanax may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.