If you're suffering from anxieties or attacks of panic, you doctor might suggest Xanax as a method to deal with your anxiety better. However, is it really safe and what are some important points to consider when you choose to take the drug? Find out more here.

What is Xanax?
Xanax (also called the alprazolam) is one of the medications within a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

These benzodiazepines are usually used to treat anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, or the panic disorder. They can also be employed for treatment of short-term duration in patients suffering from extreme sleepiness, alcohol withdrawal as well as prolonged seizures.

How can Xanax aid with anxiety?
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax are able to attach to a receptor within your brain that is known as the GABA-A (gamma-aminobutyric acid-A) receptor. When Xanax is able to bind the receptor it produces an energizing effect on the brain.

For people suffering from anxiety disorders Xanax is frequently prescribed as it is able to alleviate symptoms of anxiety quickly. But, other medications for anxiety and therapy for talk disorders are better long-term options for treating anxiety since Xanax can cause adverse effects, the risk of overdose and possibility of dependence.

The other treatments could take several weeks to begin working however. This is why Xanax along with other benzodiazepines can be employed to act as an "bridge" until other treatments will have the chance to show results.

For insomnia treatment, behavioral therapy and other medicines are often preferred over Xanax.

How long will Xanax last?
Many people are aware that Xanax begins to take effect within one to two hours. For younger adults who are healthy half of that dose Xanax has been eliminated from the body from 6.3 and 26.9 hours. The median is about 11 hours.

It takes a bit longer to allow Xanax to disappear from in the bodies of individuals. Half of the amount of Xanax has gone out of the body in people who are elderly between 9 and 26.9 hours. The mean is about 16 hours for this particular group.

However, most people do not feel its effects for a long time before it is gone from the body. This is the reason why it's often used more than one time per day. It is important to use it according to the prescription. In excess doses, it could lead to dependence and even accidental overdose.

What are the problems with taking Xanax?
If you're taking Xanax it is important to be aware of the possible side consequences. Possible side effects include:

Sleepiness
Dizziness
Headache
Confusion
Muscle cramps
A decrease in appetite
Gain or loss of weight
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
Manic symptoms
Walking is difficult
Dry mouth
Heartbeat irregularity
Low blood pressure
Blurry vision
Some individuals should stay clear of Xanax due to the fact that they are more vulnerable to its effects or even cause harm to them. This includes:

Women who are pregnant
Older patients
Teens and children
People who have abused either alcohol or other drugs
Certain medical conditions like respiratory diseases
Users of Xanax must be aware of using it improperly the drug or falling into dependence. Certain people abuse Xanax because they enjoy the way they feel, leading to excessive use or misuse. If a person requires greater or higher doses of drug to achieve the same effect, it is called tolerance.

The development of a dependence to cheap Xanax and other benzodiazepines could result in dependence. The body starts to depend on Xanax to function normally. You might experience withdrawal symptoms when your dose is cut off abruptly.

Certain individuals are at more chance to misuse Xanax for example:

Non-Hispanic whites
Young adults aged 18-35 years old
Someone with a current psychosis
A person with an individual or family history of addiction to drugs

What is the most secure way to use Xanax?
Due to Xanax's severe negative side effects and the possibility of abuse and dependence It is best to be taking your medication with the guidance of a medical doctor. When you, along with your doctor determine that Xanax is the right choice for you, you should take it in the lowest dosage you can for the shortest amount of time that is possible.

If you're taking Xanax and you are taking it, you must stay clear of alcohol and other drugs like the opioids (Vicodin, Oxycontin). These substances affect your brain in the same way and may have an additive impact. They could cause serious health issues, such as breathing issues and, in some cases, death. All of them carry the potential for dependency and misuse.

It is possible that you are taking other drugs in combination with Xanax as well as another benzodiazepine. Certain medicines, when taken together with Xanax may slow down or increase the time it takes for Xanax to exit the body. In contrast, occasionally Xanax may slow down or speed up the time it takes for other drugs to be eliminated from the body.

Some of these include:

Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Isoniazid (Laniazid, Rimifon, Hyzyd, Stanozide, Nydrazid)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
Certain antibiotics
Birth Control Pills
Grapefruit juice (not an e-medicine but it is important to be aware of)
How do I stop taking Xanax?
If you'd prefer to quit using Xanax it is best to take it with the assistance by your physician. If you stop these medications abruptly, it could result in problems like withdrawal symptoms as well as anxiety that is rebound. Patients who suffer from the symptoms of rebound anxiety could experience the return of their anxiety symptoms at the same or higher than they were before they began Xanax.

The most severe withdrawal sign can be seizures. They can be life-threatening and are likely to occur within in the first 3 days following the stoppage of Xanax. Other withdrawal signs are:

More sensory perception
It is difficult to concentrate
Dysosmia (altered sense of smell)
Mental confusion
Paresthesias (unusual skin sensations)
Muscle cramps
Muscle is twitching
Diarrhea
Vision blurred
A decrease in appetite
Weight loss
Your doctor can assist you to get rid of withdrawal symptoms and anxiety by gradually reducing your Xanax dosage slowly. A taper of medication is the dose of a medicine is reduced to lower and lower levels over a period of time. Your physician can help discover the most safe way to stop or stop the tapering from your drug.

What alternatives are there to Xanax?
Being afflicted by anxiety has a profound effect on your life. But, there are many other options to try prior to starting Xanax.

Other anti-anxiety medicines. Several anti-anxiety medication include selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) are able to be used safely for a longer time as compared to Xanax. SSRIs are taken regularly, and are able to help those suffering from anxiety deal with their anxiety. They are administered at the same time each day, not only when you're feeling anxious. However, it could take several weeks before you can notice the anxiety symptoms diminishing when you take these medicines.
Therapy. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy, has also proved to be beneficial in managing insomnia and anxiety. Through this kind therapy, your counselor assists you recognize the way your thoughts and emotions concerning anxiety can exacerbate the symptoms. Together, you and your therapist look at more adaptable behavior and thoughts to reduce your anxiety symptoms and sleep disorders.
Other benzodiazepines. When you, along with your physician determine that a benzodiazepine may be the best option for you, the doctor might suggest one with lesser risk of adverse side negative effects and misuse than Xanax like Oxazepam (Serax). They may also restrict the dosage prescribed and may only use the drug for a limited amount of duration.
Keep in mind that for certain people, Xanax and other benzodiazepines might be suitable for a brief duration. However, you have choices in deciding the most effective treatment.