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What You Need to Know About Xanax
Sleeping Pills
What is Xanax (Alprazolam)?
Alprazolam, Xanax brand name, pronounced (al PRAY zoe lam) is a powerful benzodiazepine medication that is used to help certain medical conditions that include panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, insomnia, or generalized anxiety disorder. When people use Xanax (alprazolam) for long periods of time, it can become addictive and can cause misuse.
Taking Xanax works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Alprazolam was approved in 1981 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be prescribed by a doctor. It is used to treat panic disorders, insomnia, and other anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system in the brain that produces a calming effect.
Doses of Xanax Medication
Xanax (alprazolam) is available in the following doses that include: 0.25 mg 0.5 mg 1 mg 2 mg.
0.25 mg Dose
This will be a 0.25 mg pill that is oval, white, scored, and imprinted with “XANAX 0.25”
0.5 mg Dose
This will be a 0.5 mg pill that is oval, peach, scored, and imprinted with “XANAX 0.5”
1 mg Dose
This will be a 1 mg pill that is oval, blue, scored, and imprinted with “XANAX 1”
2 mg Dose
This will be a pill that is oblong, white, multi scored, and imprinted with “XANAX” on one side and “2” on the reverse side.
A person should never chew, break, or crush Xanax extended-release tablets. They should always swallow the extended-release tablets whole. It is specially made to release the drug slowly into the body with each dose. Breaking the tablet would cause too much of the drug to be released at once.
Treatment for Panic Disorder, Anxiety, and Insomnia
Many people take Xanax to treat anxiety or to provide some short-term relief help for the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment.
Side Effects of Xanax
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction when you use Xanax. Signs of an allergic reaction include swelling of your face, tongue, throat or lips, hives or difficulty breathing.
Call your doctor at once for help and advice about side effects from medications like Xanax medication if you experience:
- Weak or shallow breathing
- A seizure
- Hallucinations, risk-taking behavior
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
- Increased energy
- Decreased need for sleep
- Racing thoughts, being agitated or talkative
- Lightheadedness like you might pass out
- Double vision
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone stops using Xanax (alprazolam) abruptly after taking it frequently, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Some of the withdrawal symptoms that people experience after missing a dose include:
- Insomnia
- Lightheadedness
- Anxiety
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Abnormal involuntary movement
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
Tell your doctor if you are currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor can discuss helpful information to determine the effects of the drug. The side effects of Xanax abuse (alprazolam) may harm an unborn baby. Avoid taking Xanax medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy.
What Happens if I Overdose?
If you take Xanax (alprazolam) frequently, you may wonder if it is possible to experience life threatening side effects of (alprazolam), such as an overdose. In some cases, Xanax (alprazolam) may cause adverse reactions that require a person to seek emergency medical attention.
Xanax overdose symptoms and side effects include:
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness
- Slowed heart rate
- Breathing problems such as shortness of breath
- Coma
- Fainting
- Loss of balance
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above side effects of an overdose to Xanax, you should contact your doctor for medical advice right away to determine if you need to seek emergency medical attention from a serious side effect. Call your doctor so that you can be medically reviewed and they can provide medical advice about these side effects.
Drug Interactions
It is important to be aware of the dangers of taking other drugs in combination with Xanax medication. Drinking alcohol or using street drugs or another controlled substance during your treatment with alprazolam can result in severe side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including over the counter drugs that could interfere with Xanax (alprazolam). There can be interactions to drugs, including over the counter, that you may not realize are dangerous, so it is important to discuss any information with your doctor before taking a dose. They can help you understand what is safe or not.
Does Xanax Make You Happy?
When someone uses Xanax often, they will begin to develop a physical dependence to the drug increasing the likelihood of addiction to occur. When someone stops using Xanax medication, even after one dose and they are addicted, it will result in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. When you miss a dose, it can also trigger certain withdrawal symptoms.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any addiction symptoms, please contact AToN Center for more information on our programs.
Symptoms of Xanax Addiction
Like other drugs, Xanax may become addictive if it is used inappropriately. When someone takes Xanax medically from a doctor, and according to the prescription, it is unlikely to be misused. Often, when someone is addicted, they will experience withdrawal symptoms when they skip the missed dose.
Other behavioral signs of Xanax (alprazolam) addiction, misuse and drug abuse include:
- Taking Xanax even though it is contributing to personal difficulties
- Inability to stop using Xanax despite the desire to
- Using Xanax when it is not prescribed by a healthcare provider or doctor
- Loss of business interest or recreational activities that were once enjoyed
- Obsessing about obtaining and using Xanax
- Loss of control over the amount of Xanax being consumed
- Legal problems that are the result of taking Xanax
- Engaging in risky behaviors, such as driving after you take Xanax
Before Taking these Medications
To make sure Xanax (alprazolam) medications are safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- Breathing problems such as sleep apnea (breathing that stops when you sleep) or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Mood problems, suicidal behavior or thoughts, or depression
- Liver or kidney disease (especially alcoholic liver disease).
Treatment at AToN Center
AToN Center is a luxury drug and alcohol addiction treatment center that specializes in any addiction, including to medications like Xanax. Drugs like Xanax may cause addiction and our team of clinicians and doctors are trained in treating addictive behaviors. We will medically review any clients to determine all their health information and what type of treatment is best for them.
Some of the many amenities offered at AToN Center include a first-class chef that serves nutritious meals, on site gyms and pools, family therapy, and holistic treatment options. Our staff work hard to ensure that we get all the information necessary before treatment so that each client is medically reviewed before being admitted.
If you are struggling with addiction or substance abuse and you need help, please contact our treatment center. Our staff can provide all the information about our drug addiction treatment programs and help you take the first step toward your recovery.
Is Klonopin Addictive?
People wonder if Klonopin is addictive. All benzodiazepines have a high risk of dependence, tolerance, and addiction, but Klonopin is among the most likely used that could result in substance abuse. The reason for this is because this particular anti-anxiety medication has two components that make it more likely to become addictive and result in abuse. These two components include a rapid onset of action and a long half-life.
What are Benzodizepines?
Benzodiazepines, are a group of psychoactive drugs sometimes called \”benzos\”, are a class of psychoactive drugs that are used as tranquilizers. They are often referred to as “benzos.” The most common brands of benzodiazepines are Valium and Xanax.
What is Doxepin Antidepressant?
Doxepin antidepressant is a group of drugs classified as a tricyclic antidepressant. It is used to treat health conditions such as depression and anxiety. It works by changing chemicals in the brain that effect mood and mental balance.
Codeine Pills
Codeine pills are a type of medication that is used to treat mild to severe pain in patients. Codeine is part of a group of opiate narcotic analgesics. It can come in the form of a tablet as well as in a prescription grade cough suppressant.