Trusted by doctors worldwide, Xanax is a drug used to treat symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks.
In 1981, the FDA approved Xanax as a treatment for anxiety; recently, Xanax was also approved for treating panic disorders. Xanax is a benzodiazepine, which works by suppressing the overreaction of the central nervous system.
Recent studies have shown that Xanax is a fast-acting medication, with adults receiving relief from symptoms in as little as one to two hours if the recommended dosage is taken in the morning.
Comprehensive studies have supported the effectiveness of FDA-approved Xanax in the treatment of panic disorders. These studies were carried out using a placebo control group. Additionally, studies have shown Xanax to aid in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders. This is a fast-acting medication which provides relief quickly and has been shown to have few side effects.
Depending on the dosage recommended by your healthcare provider, Xanax could be taken daily, or only as needed. Those who suffer from anxiety or panic disorders are likely to begin realizing substantial improvement within one week. However, for severe panic attacks it may be two to four weeks before a noticeable improvement may be seen.
10 to 20% of patients do not respond to treatment with Xanax. Additionally, if you are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to have a baby, you should not take this medication. It is also recommended that you exercise caution in consuming beverages that contain alcohol if you are taking Xanax because it may possibly intensify the effects of intoxication and cause sleepiness.
The main side effect reported with patients who take Xanax is symptoms which mimic sedation. Other possible side effects of this medication include dizziness, postural hypotension, tachycardia, confusion and headaches, as well as sleeplessness and depression.
It has been recommended that the initial dose of Xanax should be no more than 0.25 mg (1/4 mg) or 0.5 mg (1/2 mg) taken approximately two to three times daily. Beginning treatment with a low dose tends to limit the side effect of increased sleepiness, which occurs in many patients during the first week of use. It is also recommended that Xanax be taken after meals to decrease side effects and increase the amount of time for which the drug is effective.
Your doctor may increase your prescribed dosage by adding 0.5 mg to one of the three daily dosages for a total increase of up to 2 mg per day. This dosage increase may be recommended at bedtime or divided equally throughout the day within the range of 1 – 10 mg a day. It is common for doctors to prescribe a dosage to be taken every four hours throughout the day. If symptoms persist prior to the four-hour dosage being taken, clonazepam may be added to the Xanax.
It is common for doctors to reduce Xanax by 0.25 mg every three days. It is during this time that withdrawal symptoms may occur. If you have been taking Xanax for an extended period of time, your dosage may be reduced gradually over a period of eight to twelve weeks to help ease withdrawal symptoms. If your withdrawal symptoms are severe, your doctor may wish to either switch your prescription to a longer-acting benzodiazepine, or add medication Xanax dosage to ease withdrawal symptoms.