Side Effects of Alprazolam

from johnson - Tuesday, March 15, 2005
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Dr. Johnson has spent his whole life treating people with anxiety disorders. Building upon his enumerable personal experiences with people suffering from anxiety disorders, he has created resource for providing invaluable information to people experiencing anxiety, panic or sleepless nights.

Side Effects of Alprazolam
Side effects caused by Xanax / Alprazolam tablet or bars may be generally observed at the beginning of therapy and usually disappear when the anxiety medication is properly administered for some period.
In the usual patient, the most frequent side effects are likely to be an extension of the pharmacological activity of alprazolam. As alprazolam acts on the brain and nervous system, the most frequently reported symptoms are drowsiness, coordination difficulties and dizziness.
Systematic and proper use of xanax / alprazolam will lead to normal side effects as mentioned above. To prevent the serious side effects of xanax / alprazolam medication, please refer Xanax / Alprazolam - Warnings/Precautions.
Serious Side Effects
These require physician’s advice or emergency attention depending upon the seriousness of the effect.
Neurological effects : Blurred vision, headache, seizures, slurred speech, difficulty in-depth perception.
Psychiatric effects: Mental confusion, depression, irritability, nervousness, sleep disturbances, euphoria, lethargy, stupor.
Gastrointestinal effects : Dry mouth, nausea, non-specific gastrointestinal disturbances, vomiting.
Muscular effects : Muscle spasm, muscle weakness.
Cardiovascular effects : Hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia.
Dermatological effects : Pruritus, rash. Genitourinary effects: Incontinence, change in libido.
Hematological effects : Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit, increased and decreased WBC.
Hepatic effects : Elevations of alkaline phosphates, bilirubin, AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT).
Miscellaneous : Increased and decreased blood sugar levels.

Xanax/Alprazolam treatment should be discontinued if any of the following occur: Hyper excitement, muscle spasm, anxiety, hallucinations, rage or other hostile behavior, tremors, insomnia, sleeping difficulties or over stimulation.
Cautions: Xanax / Alprazolam has been known to interact undesirably with certain medical conditions. You should not take Xanax if you have a history of, any of the following conditions:
Alcohol or drug abuse - may increase likelihood of Xanax dependence.
Allergic reaction to Xanax, or other benzodiazepine. Always tell your doctor about any allergies before starting a medication.
Personality Disorder : Borderline personality disorder or a history of violent behavior.
Brain disease - may increase likelihood of side effects from Xanax.
Breathing difficulties such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or any other chronic lung disease - Xanax may worsen this condition.
Difficulty swallowing - This condition may become more pronounced in children.
Epilepsy or seizures - Abruptly starting or stopping treatment with Xanax may increase seizures. Although Xanax can be used as an aid to anti-tremor therapy, it should be used cautiously and strictly according to a doctor's instructions in these cases.
Glaucoma - Xanax should not be prescribed to patients with acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients receiving treatment for open angle glaucoma should consult their doctor, as Xanax may be an acceptable treatment for them.
Hyperactivity
Kidney or liver problems - In isolated cases, Xanax has been reported to cause jaundice. If you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes, seek medical treatment immediately. More Xanax may end up in your bloodstream if you have a pre-existing kidney or liver condition, increasing the likelihood of side effects.
Major Depression.
Myasthenia gravis - This autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness may be aggravated by Xanax treatment.
Porphyria - Xanax (alprazolam) is listed as an unsafe drug for porphyria, an enzyme deficiency that can cause fragile skin that is sensitive to sunlight, digestive difficulties, anxiety, and reddish-brown urine.

Psychosis or other serious mental illness - Xanax has not proved to be an effective treatment for these conditions, and is not recommended.
Sleep apnea (temporary suspension of breathing during leep) - Xanax may worsen this condition. Individuals with sleep apnea should not generally use sedatives as sleep aids.
Xanax / Alprazolam Dependence
Xanax has been known to be habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment is discontinued abruptly. Follow your doctor's advice about how much, and how often, you should take Xanax. If you are considering stopping Xanax treatment, ask your doctor how to safely decrease and then stop Xanax.
To know more about Alprazolam/Prescription medication, you can check out any information resource on Alrazolam like the Alprazolam.cc. The site presents Dr. Johnson’s personal experiences of treating the anxiety disorders.