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