Description
Xanax is an effective tool that combats a variety of anxiety disorders. The medication is based on alprazolam – the active substance added to the FDA-approved drugs list in 1981. The active ingredient became the first approved substance for panic disorders treatment; today Xanax is approved in 51 country around the globe.
Pharmacological action and indications
As for the mode of action, Xanax represents a tranquilizer from the group of benzodiazepines. It has a pronounced anxiolytic activity, coupled with a mild antidepressant effect; it has a proven efficiency as for eliminating the fear and anxiety, plus it provides an anti-spasmodic and mild sedative action. The medication has a clinically insignificant effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The drug is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream, reaching a maximum concentration in plasma within up to 2.5 hours.
The drug is assigned as an anxiolytic and mild antidepressant for the treatment of various non-psychotic disorders:
anxiety disorders and neuroses accompanied with anxiety, irritability, sleep and somatic disorders;
the conditions with mixed anxiety and depression;
neurotic reactive depressive states associated with bad mood, changes in body weight, loss of appetite somatic disorders, anxiety, etc.;
anxiety and mixed forms of anxiety and depression observed with somatic diseases in the background;
panic disorders (regardless of phobic symptoms manifestations)
How to take Xanax
Please, do not initiate self-treatment to avoid significant adverse reactions; keep in mind that improper dosage may lead to lethal outcome. Visit your treating doctor before you start the treatment course to select the optimal dose and administration regimen. Xanax is designed for oral use. As a rule, it is taken 2 or 3 times daily, starting with the minimum dosage not exceeding 0.5mg daily. A gradual increase in the dosage takes place to press for the desired therapeutic effect; initially, an increase in the evening dose is made, then the daily dose is increased. The average Xanax dose ranges from 0.5mg to 3g daily. In the event of anxiety states, the initial daily dose balances between 0.75mg and 1.5 mg, with a possible increase up to 3 – 4.5mg. In case of panic disorders, agoraphobia or depression the dose of 3 – 6 daily is appointed.
The therapy in the elderly typically implies the following doses: the initial one doesn’t exceed 0.25 up to 3 times daily; in the event of good tolerability and clinical necessity, it can be gradually increased up to 0.75mg daily. The cessation of the therapy or reduction in the dosage should also be gradual, by 0.5mg within the minimum of 3 days; in significant conditions you may need to cancel the treatment at even more slower pace. The duration of continuous application should not exceed three months, to exclude the risks associated with dependence.
