Xanax Pronunciation
Generic Name: alprazolam (al PRAY zoe lam)
Brand Names: Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR

What is Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety.


Xanax Description
Xanax Tablets contain alprazolam which is a triazolo analog of the 1,4 benzodiazepine class of central nervous system-active compounds.

https://www.drugs.com/pro/xanax.html


In addition, the extended use at doses greater than 4 mg/day appears to increase the incidence and severity of withdrawal reactions when Xanax is discontinued. These are generally minor but seizure can occur, especially if you reduce the dose too rapidly or discontinue the medication abruptly. Seizure can be life-threatening.


withdrawal seizures have been reported in association with the discontinuation of Xanax.

discontinue medication

discontinuation

discontinued.

http://www.rxlist.com/benzodiazepines/drugs-condition.htm

neurotransmitters is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA),

Indications and Usage for Xanax
Anxiety Disorders
Xanax Tablets (alprazolam) are indicated for the management of anxiety disorder (a condition corresponding most closely to the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM-IIIR] diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder) or the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by unrealistic or excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about two or more life circumstances, for a period of 6 months or longer, during which the person has been bothered more days than not by these concerns. At least 6 of the following 18 symptoms are often present in these patients: Motor Tension (trembling, twitching, or feeling shaky; muscle tension, aches, or soreness; restlessness; easy fatigability); Autonomic Hyperactivity (shortness of breath or smothering sensations; palpitations or accelerated heart rate; sweating, or cold clammy hands; dry mouth; dizziness or light-headedness; nausea, diarrhea, or other abdominal distress; flushes or chills; frequent urination; trouble swallowing or 'lump in throat'); Vigilance and Scanning (feeling keyed up or on edge; exaggerated startle response; difficulty concentrating or 'mind going blank' because of anxiety; trouble falling or staying asleep; irritability). These symptoms must not be secondary to another psychiatric disorder or caused by some organic factor.

Anxiety associated with depression is responsive to Xanax.

Panic Disorder
Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia.

Studies supporting this claim were conducted in patients whose diagnoses corresponded closely to the DSM-III-R/IV criteria for panic disorder (see CLINICAL STUDIES).

Panic disorder (DSM-IV) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, ie, a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which four (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes: (1) palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate; (2) sweating; (3) trembling or shaking; (4) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering; (5) feeling of choking; (6) chest pain or discomfort; (7) nausea or abdominal distress; (8) feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint; (9) derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself); (10) fear of losing control; (11) fear of dying; (12) paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations); (13) chills or hot flushes.

Demonstrations of the effectiveness of Xanax by systematic clinical study are limited to 4 months duration for anxiety disorder and 4 to 10 weeks duration for panic disorder; however, patients with panic disorder have been treated on an open basis for up to 8 months without apparent loss of benefit. The physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual
patient.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2896534

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2207448-medication#3

 Sleep Disorders:
epilepsy.
 chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)

Benzodiazepines are used for treating:
skeletal muscle relaxants

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0315/p1115.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2896534

Furthermore, since benzodiazepines are relatively safe drugs, their continued and probably expanded uses as cancer therapy adjuncts can be anticipated.

 Muscle relaxants include drugs that reduce muscle spasm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22258993

anxiety and panic
seizures (convulsions), and
insomnia or trouble sleeping.
They also are used for:

general anesthesia,
sedation prior to surgery or diagnostic procedures,
muscle relaxation,
alcohol withdrawal and drug associated agitation,
nausea and vomiting,
depression, and
panic attacks.
Class Summary
These agents are skeletal muscle relaxants that can treat convulsive disorders.
Muscle Relaxants for Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review Within the Framework of the Cochrane Collaboration

Benzodiazepines enhance the action of GABA in the central nervous system (CNS) and are effective in relieving vertigo and anxiety.

Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome which is typically characterized by sleep disturbance, irritability, increased tension and anxiety, panic attacks, hand tremor, sweating, difficulty in concentration, dry wretching and nausea, some weight loss, palpitations, headache, muscular pain and stiffness and a host of perceptual changes. Instances are also reported within the high-dosage category of more serious developments such as seizures and psychotic reactions.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461586_1

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461586_1

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2207448-medication#3

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461586_1

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22258993