Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety. However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or tension caused by the stress of everyday life.

Xanax belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system). Xanax also is used sometimes to treat depression, fear of open spaces (agoraphobia), and premenstrual syndrome. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition. Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in the treatment of panic disorder. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.

Special precautions

Before taking Xanax ,

Allergies? tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzodiazepines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Certain benzodiazepine products may contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.

Pregnancy? Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Xanax , call your doctor immediately.

Too much use of a Xanax during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of Xanax during pregnancy, especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.

Xanax given just before or during labor may cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high doses (especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may cause breathing problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and body temperature problems in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding? Xanax may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.

Children? Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of Xanax .

Older adults? Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of Xanax .

Taking benzodiazepines for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking Xanax .

Other medicines? although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking or receiving benzodiazepines it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

•  Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness)?The CNS depressant effects of either these medicines or benzodiazepines may be increased; your doctor may want to change the dose of either or both medicines

•  Fluvoxamine (e.g., Luvox) or

•  Nefazodone (e.g., Serzone)?Higher blood levels of benzodiazepines may occur, increasing the chance that side effects will occur; your doctor may want to change the dose of either or both medicines, or give you a different medicine

•  Itraconazole (e.g., Sporanox) or

•  Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)?these medicines should NOT be used if you are taking a benzodiazepine.

Other medical problems? the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

•  Alcohol abuse (or history of) or

•  Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)?Dependence on Xanax may be more likely to develop

•  Brain disease?CNS depression and other side effects of Xanax may be more likely to occur

•  Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or

•  Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or

•  Hyperactivity or

•  Mental depression or

•  Mental illness (severe) or

•  Myasthenia gravis or

•  Porphyria or

•  Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)? Xanax may make these conditions worse

•  Epilepsy or history of seizures?Although some Xanax are used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures

•  Glaucoma, acute narrow angle? Xanax should NOT be used if you have this condition.

•  Glaucoma, open angle? Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. can be used but your doctor should be monitoring your condition carefully.

•  Kidney or liver disease?higher blood levels of Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. may result, increasing the chance that side effects will occur

Side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

•  Less common

• Anxiety;  confusion (may be more common in the elderly);  fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat ;  lack of memory of events taking place after Xanax is taken (may be more common with triazolam);  mental depression 

•  Rare

• Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense of reality ;  agitation;  behavior changes, including aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or outbursts of anger;  convulsions (seizures);  hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there);  hypotension (low blood pressure);  muscle weakness;  skin rash or itching ;  sore throat, fever, and chills;  trouble in sleeping;  ulcers or sores in mouth or throat (continuing);  uncontrolled movements of body, including the eyes;  unusual bleeding or bruising ;  unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability ;  unusual tiredness or weakness (severe);  yellow eyes or skin 

•  Symptoms of overdose

• Confusion (continuing);  convulsions (seizures);  drowsiness (severe) or coma;  shakiness;  slow heartbeat;  slow reflexes;  slurred speech (continuing) ;  staggering;  troubled breathing ;  weakness (severe) 

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.