Xanax 0.5

Introduction
Xanax 0.5 belongs to a class of medicines known as benzodiazepines. It is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety. It alters brain activity, calms it and provides relief from panic attacks by relaxing the nerves. Xanax 0.5 may be taken with or without food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it has a high potential of habit-forming. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to the doctor as it may cause nausea and anxiety. The most common side effect of this medicine is lightheadedness. It may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It may also cause weight gain or weight loss as it can vary from person to person. To prevent weight gain you can eat a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking with high calorie foods, and exercise regularly. Weight loss can be managed by increasing food portions and consulting a dietitian. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time than regular monitoring of blood and liver functions may be required.

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Uses of Xanax 0.5
Anxiety
Side effects of Xanax 0.5
Common
Lightheadedness
Drowsiness
How to use Xanax 0.5
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Xanax 0.5 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Xanax 0.5 works
Xanax 0.5 is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the action of a chemical messenger (GABA) which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
What if you forget to take Xanax 0.5?
If you miss a dose of Xanax 0.5, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick Tips
The addiction / habit-forming potential of this medicine is very high. Take it only as per the dose and duration advised by your doctor
It may cause dizziness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
Do not stop taking medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as that may lead to nausea, anxiety, agitation, flu-like symptoms, sweating, tremor, and confusion.
Brief Description
Indication
Oral Short-term management of anxiety Adult: 0.25-0.5 mg tid, increased to 3-4 mg daily if necessary. Elderly: Initially, 0.25 mg bid/tid. Panic attacks Adult Immediate-release 0.5 mg PO q8hr; may increase q3-4Days by ?1 mg/day Average dose: 5-6 mg/day PO May require up to 10 mg/day PO divided q8hr Extended-release 0.5-1 mg PO qDay; may increase q3-4Days by <1 mg/day Average dose: 3-6 mg PO qDay Anxiety Associated With Depression 1-4 mg/day PO divided q8hr Hepatic impairment: Avoid in severe impairment. _ Administration Potentiates action of alcohol and CNS depressants. Reduced conc with cigarette smoking by 50%. Potentially Fatal: Cimetidine and fluoxetine reduce the clearance of alprazolam. Alprazolam enhances activity of imipramine and desipramine. _ Adult Dose Dosage reduction or gradual withdrawal. Dependence. Geriatric or debilitated patients. Muscle weakness, impaired hepatic or renal function; arteriosclerosis; obesity; depression particularly suicidal tendency; chronic pulmonary insufficiency. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Children <18 yr. Lactation: Enters breast milk/not recommended _ Renal Dose Alprazolam has anxiolytic, muscle-relaxant, anticonvulsant, antidepressant and sleep-modifying effects. It binds to the ? aminobutyric acid (GABA)-specific sites throughout the CNS, leading to an increase in the inhibitory effect of GABA on neuronal excitability. Increased neuronal permeability to chloride ions thus results in hyperpolarisation and stabilisation. Contraindication <18 years old: Not recommended _ Mode of Action Administration May be taken with or without food. Side effects eg sleepiness/drowsiness may be reduced if taken immediately after meals. Precaution Anxiety disorders, Panic disorders, Nausea due to chemotherapy Side Effect Renal impairment: Use caution; not studied _ Pregnancy Category Note >10% (4 mg dose) Drowsiness (41%),Depression (10-15%),Headache (10-15%),Constipation (10-15%),Diarrhea (10-15%),Dry mouth (10-15%) >10% (10 mg dose) Drowsiness (77%),Impaired coordination (40-50%),Increased appetite (30-35%),Fatigue (30-35%),Memory impairment (30-35%),Irritability (30-35%),Decreased salivation (30-35%),Cognitive disorders (20-30%),Insomnia (20-30%),Dcreased appetite (20-30%),Headache (20-30%),Lightheadedness (20-30%),Dysarthria (20-30%),Diarrhea, constipation, and nausea/vomiting (20-30%),Weight change (20-30%),Nasal congestion (15-20%),Decreased or increased libido (10-15%),Menstrual disorder (10-15%),Difficult micturition (10-15%) 1-10% (4 mg dose) Tachycardia (5-10%),Confusion (5-10%),Insomnia (5-10%),Nausea/vomiting (5-10%),Blurred vision (5-10%),Nasal congestion (5-10%),Hypotension (1-5%),Syncope (1-5%),Akathisia (1-5%),Dizziness (1-5%),Increased salivation (1-5%),Nervousness (1-5%),Tremor (1-5%),Weight change (1-5%) 1-10% (10 mg dose) Increased salivation (5-10%),Talkativeness (1-5%),Incontinence (1-5%) Potentially Fatal: Blood dyscrasias.

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Interaction
Acute narrow-angle glaucoma, preexisting CNS depression or coma, resp depression, acute pulmonary insufficiency or sleep apnoea; severe hepatic impairment; pregnancy, lactation.