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| Pronunciation |
|
 (al
PRAY zoe
lam) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Xanax® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Alpraz® (Canada);
Novo-Aloprazol® (Canada); Nu-Alprax® (Canada); Tafil
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Benzodiazepine |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to alprazolam or any other part of the
medicine. If you are allergic to another benzodiazepine, talk with healthcare
provider.
- If you have narrow angle glaucoma
- If you are taking ketoconazole or itraconazole.
- If you are pregnant or
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used in the treatment of anxiety (nerves), panic
attacks, and anxiety connected with
depression.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Alprazolam works in the brain to calm you
down.
|
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Tablet may be crushed and mixed with food or liquid.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly
decreased.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Since this medicine is frequently taken on an as needed basis,
separate dose by 8-12 hours.
|
|
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel
sleepy and shaky.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have lung disease. You may be more
sensitive to this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or unable to think clearly. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you
see how this medicine affects you.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Changes in memory.
- Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after
medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without
this side effect.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the
same?
|
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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