Xanax

Xanax (alprazolam) is an efficient drug that belongs to the class of benzodiazepines. It is supposed to be used by people suffering from anxiety symptoms to whom it was prescribed. Please report any medications you are taking at the moment before you start your treatment with Xanax, as this may be important in determining your dose. The following ones have to be reported: birth control pills, antifungals, cimetidine, propoxyphene, diltiazem, seizure medication, isoniazid, and antidepressants. Medicines for seizures, muscle relaxants, depression or anxiety medications, cold medicines, and pain medications can worsen some of your side effects when you are using Xanax. Therefore, it’s very important that you wait for your doctor’s approval before taking these medications. You may become addicted to Xanax if you continue taking it for a long period of time or in large doses. The risk is higher if you have a history of such an addiction, so make sure you do not start the treatment before you discuss this risk. Being addicted to Xanax is unlikely to make your treatment less effective, but is can make it more difficult for you to stop taking this medication. This has to do with withdrawal symptoms you may get if you quit Xanax cold turkey. The following ones are possible: loss of appetite, increased sensations, blurred vision, muscle twitching, tingling, and numbness. Therefore, it’s not recommended to discontinue the treatment without previously talking to your doctor. You will be most likely recommended a gradual withdrawal, which will involve taking less and less of this medicine every several days. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be especially careful with taking Xanax, as it has been reported to cause birth defects in unborn babies and pass into breast milk, affecting the health or a nursing baby. The use of Xanax, which has been classified as FDA pregnancy category D, is rarely justified in women that are already pregnant or can get pregnant while taking this medicine. Therefore, your health care provider may recommend an alternative or ask you to consider postponing the treatment if this is at all possible. You don’t have to get worried if you get some mild side effects of Xanax, such as vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, muscle weakness, lack of balance, dizziness, insomnia, drowsiness, weight changes, slurred speech, or blurred vision, as they are short–lived and likely to go away on their own.