About the Drug

Alprazolam commonly known as Xanax is a potent benzodiazepine prescription medication. It is mostly used in treating anxiety and panic disorders. As it were, alprazolam performs the function of boosting the effectiveness of natural body chemical (GABA) to bring about relaxed state. Thus, this article takes a closer look at what Alprazolam is used for, side effects, interactions and precautions that need to be taken into account in order to rightly inform people regarding their health care needs.

What Alprazolam is used for?

Anxiety and panic disorders are two conditions which Alprazolam treats. Alprazolam reduces nervousness and improves concentration while reducing abnormal excitement in brain. However effective it may be, it should only be given under very close medical supervision because of its potential for dependency and abuse.

The Side Effects of Alprazolam

All medications have side effects including alprazolam. Common symptoms include drowsiness, dizziness among others like increased salivation or changes in sexual desire/ability. Most of them fade away with time as your system adapts to the drug but some are serious such as swing mood, hallucinations or suicidal thoughts that call for immediate medical attention.

Interactions

There are several drugs that Alprazolam interacts with which can be very dangerous. For this reason, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including street drugs and herbal supplements. Alcoholic drinks must never be consumed by individuals who are on Alprazolam as this increases the chance of getting side effects.

Cautions

If you have a history of substance abuse, liver disease or kidney disease, glaucoma and others then before using alprazolam inform your healthcare physician regarding your medical history in general. If you use Alprazolam, avoid any activities that require alerts since it may cause dizziness or drowsiness. During pregnancy or lactation women should only use Alprazolam when it is absolutely necessary because it can harm unborn babies and can also pass into breast milk.

Summary