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Xanax (Alprazolam) - Summary

 
 



XANAX SUMMARY

XANAX Tablets contain alprazolam which is a triazolo analog of the 1,4 benzodiazepine class of central nervous system-active compounds.

XANAX Tablets (alprazolam) are indicated for the management of anxiety disorder (a condition corresponding most closely to the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM-III-R] diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder) or the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by unrealistic or excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about two or more life circumstances, for a period of six months or longer, during which the person has been bothered more days than not by these concerns. At least 6 of the following 18 symptoms are often present in these patients: Motor Tension (trembling, twitching, or feeling shaky; muscle tension, aches, or soreness; restlessness; easy fatigability); Autonomic Hyperactivity (shortness of breath or smothering sensations; palpitations or accelerated heart rate; sweating, or cold clammy hands; dry mouth; dizziness or light-headedness; nausea, diarrhea, or other abdominal distress; flushes or chills; frequent urination; trouble swallowing or 'lump in throat'); Vigilance and Scanning (feeling keyed up or on edge; exaggerated startle response; difficulty concentrating or `mind going blank' because of anxiety; trouble falling or staying asleep; irritability). These symptoms must not be secondary to another psychiatric disorder or caused by some organic factor.

Anxiety associated with depression is responsive to XANAX.

XANAX is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia.


See all Xanax indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Xanax (Alprazolam)

Comparison of alprazolam versus captopril in high blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial. [2011.08]
CONCLUSION: A significant association exists between the level of BP and anxiety in hypertensive ED patients. Alprazolam is as effective as captopril in lowering BP in ED patients with an initial SBP > 160 mmHg.

Efficacy of alprazolam sublingual tablets in the treatment of the acute phase of panic disorders. [2011.03]
CONCLUSIONS: Alprazolam has been demonstrated to have efficacy, safety and good tolerability in the treatment of the acute phase of panic disorder, the sublingual tablets showing some comparative advantages.

The efficacy and safety of alprazolam versus other benzodiazepines in the treatment of panic disorder. [2011]
We performed a meta-analysis of all single- or double-blind, randomized controlled trials comparing alprazolam to another benzodiazepine in the treatment of adult patients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third or Fourth Edition, criteria for panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic attacks...

The effects of alprazolam on tinnitus: a cross-over randomized clinical trial. [2009.11]
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that although alprazolam did not improve the THI score or sensation level of loudness significantly, it has a desirable effect on VAS. Further work is needed to determine the beneficial effects of alprazolam in distressed or depressed patients.

Does oral alprazolam affect ventilation? A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2009.05]
The respiratory effects of benzodiazepines have been controversial...

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Xanax (Alprazolam)

An Bioequivalence Study Of Xanax Extended Release Tablets From Two Different Manufacturing Sites [Completed]
Study to evaluate if Xanax sustained release tablets manufactured at two different sites provide similar drug levels in the blood.

A Study Of Two Oral Preparations Of 2 Mg Alprazolam In Healthy Volunteers Under Fasting Conditions [Withdrawn]
The purpose of this study is to compare bioavailability between formulations of alprazolam in tablets to determine their bioequivalence in terms of rate and magnitude of absorption.

A Relative Bioavailability Study of Alprazolam 3 mg ER Tablets Under Fasting Conditions [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the relative bioavailability of 3 mg Alprazolam Extended Release Tablets by Alpharma with that of 3 mg XANAX XR® Tablets by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company following a single oral dose (1 x 3 mg extended-release tablet) in healthy adult volunteers administrated under fasting conditions.

A Relative Bioavailability Study of Alprazolam 3 mg Extended Release Tablets Under Non-fasting Conditions [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the relative bioavailability of 3 mg Alprazolam Extended Release Tablets by Alpharma with that of 3 mg XANAX XR® Tablets by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company following a single oral dose (1 x 3 mg extended-release tablet) in healthy adult volunteers administrated under non-fasting conditions.

Pharmacokinetics Of Alprazolam Sublingual Tablet Versus Conventional Tablet [Completed]
To assess if the sublingual tablet will have similar pharmacokinetics as the conventional tablet of alprazolam.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Xanax (Alprazolam) Side Effects

Drug Ineffective (149)Anxiety (144)Insomnia (110)Panic Attack (91)Feeling Abnormal (90)Depression (80)Headache (74)Malaise (72)Dizziness (66)Nausea (66)more >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 31 ratings/reviews, Xanax has an overall score of 8.19. The effectiveness score is 9.29 and the side effect score is 8.32. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
 

Xanax review by 36 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   anxiety related to severe PMS
Dosage & duration:   .5 mg taken prn, usually 2x/day for 3 to 4 days/mont for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   the treatment drastically reduced my anxiety and feelings of stress and panic during my PMS week.
Side effects:   no side effects experienced.
Comments:   i was experiencing severe PMS symptoms - upon further testing, it was found that i had an ovarian cyst and used this treatment for anxiety symptoms until my surgery.

 

Xanax review by 57 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   anxiety
Dosage & duration:   0.5mg taken daily for the period of 4yrs
Other conditions:   diabetes, high blood pressure,osteoporosis
Other drugs taken:   metformin,benicar, norvasc,fosamax
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   blood sugar controlled levels around 100-110, blood pressure had been normal ever since i was placed on these b/p medications.xanax was the only one that could prevent anxiety and panic attacks and help me sleep. as for fosamax, i have not had a follow up bone density so i do not know how beneficial it is for treating osteoporosis
Side effects:   since i started taking metformin my weight loss continued (this is unwanted weight loss). initially fosamax gave me severe flu like symptoms
Comments:   metformin 250 mg od, benicar 5 mg od , fosamax 70mg q wk,norvasc 2.5 mg od

 

Xanax review by 45 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Anxiety attacks
Dosage & duration:   2 mg as needed taken two to four times a day for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:   Rheumatoid Arthritis, IBS
Other drugs taken:   Enbrel, vicodin, ambien, diclofenac, propanolol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   At first I loved this drug. Panic attacks were getting under control and I didn't feel druggy or fuzzy headed.
Side effects:   There were no side effects that I noticed at the time.
Comments:   Sadly, you can't (or shouldn't) take a drug like Xanax forever. So eventually, after using it for four months, I stopped. OMG. Would someone please explain to me whose brilliant idea it was to create a drug that when you stop taking it, causes the same symptoms that it was designed to alleviate to begin with?!?! I ended up going through even worse panic attacks after stopping the drug than I had to begin with! So in spite of the fact that it worked great to begin with, I would NEVER take this medication again. All in all it turned out to be a terrible experience. There are other far less addictive and nasty drugs available for anxiety.

See all Xanax reviews / ratings >>

Page last updated: 2013-02-10

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