What is xanax Bars

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What is xanax Bars

Xanax is Brand name of drug indicated for the management of anxiety disorder or the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety.

  • Brands : Xanax or Xanax XR

Why is this medication prescribed?

 It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Commonly Prescribed for (bold for FDA approved):

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (IR)
  • Panic disorder (IR and XR)
  • Other anxiety disorders
  • Anxiety associated with depression
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
  • Irritable bowel syndrome and other somatic symptoms associated with anxiety disorders
  • Insomnia
  • Acute mania (adjunctive)
  • Acute psychosis (adjunctive)
  • Catatonia

How xanax Works

  • Binds to benzodiazepine receptors at the GABA-A ligand-gated chloride channel complex
  • Enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA
  • Boosts chloride conductance through GABA-regulated channels
  • Inhibits neuronal activity presumably in amygdala-centered fear circuits to provide therapeutic benefits in anxiety disorders How Long Until It Works
  • Some immediate relief with first dosing is common; can take several weeks with daily dosing for maximal therapeutic benefit.

Dose

Usual Dosage Range

  • Anxiety: alprazolam IR: 1–4 mg/day
  • Panic: alprazolam IR: 5–6 mg/day
  • Panic: alprazolam XR: 3–6 mg/day

Dosage Forms

  • Alprazolam IR tablet 0.25 mg scored, 0.4 mg (Japan), 0.5 mg scored, 0.8 mg (Japan), 1 mg scored, 2 mg multiscored
  • Alprazolam IR solution, concentrate 1 mg/mL
  • Alprazolam XR (extended-release) tablet 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg

How to Dose

  • For anxiety, alprazolam IR should be started at 0.75–1.5 mg/day divided into 3 doses; increase dose every 3–4 days until desired efficacy is reached; maximum dose generally 4 mg/day
  • For panic, alprazolam IR should be started at 1.5 mg/day divided into 3 doses; increase 1 mg or less every 3–4 days until desired efficacy is reached, increasing by smaller amounts for dosage over 4 mg/ day; may require as much as 10 mg/day for desired efficacy in difficult cases
  • For panic, alprazolam XR should be started at 0.5–1 mg/day once daily in the morning; dose may be increased by 1 mg/day every 3–4 days until desired efficacy is reached; maximum dose generally 10 mg/day

Dosing Tips

  • Use lowest possible effective dose for the shortest possible period of time (a benzodiazepine-sparing strategy)
  • Assess need for continued treatment regularly
  • Risk of dependence may increase with dose and duration of treatment
  • For interdose symptoms of anxiety, can either increase dose or maintain same total daily dose but divide into more frequent doses, or give as extended-release formulation
  • Can also use an as-needed occasional “top-up” dose for interdose anxiety
  • Because panic disorder can require doses higher than 4 mg/day, the risk

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