To take the concentrated liquid, use only the dropper that
came with your prescription. Draw into the dropper the amount
prescribed for one dose. Squeeze the dropper contents
into a liquid or semi-solid food such as water, juice, soda,
applesauce, or pudding. Stir the liquid or food gently for
a few seconds. The concentrated liquid will blend completely
with the food. Drink or eat the entire mixture immediately.
Do not store for future use.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of alprazolam
and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every
3 or 4 days.
Alprazolam can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose
or take it more often or for a longer time than your doctor
tells you to. Do not stop taking alprazolam without talking
to your doctor. Suddenly stopping to take alprazolam may worsen
your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms (anxiousness,
sleeplessness, irritability, and seizures). Withdrawal symptoms
may be worse if you take more than 4 mg of alprazolam every
day. Your doctor will decrease your dose gradually.
Other uses for this Medicine
Alprazolam also is used sometimes to treat
depression, fear of open spaces (agoraphobia),
and premenstrual syndrome. Talk to your doctor
about the possible risks of using this medication for your
condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Are There Possible
Side Effects?
Alprazolam may cause side effects. Tell
your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not
go away:
- Drowsiness
- Light-headedness
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Talkativeness
- Dry mouth
- Increased Salivation
- Changes in sex drive or ability
- Changes in appetite
- Weight changes
- Difficulty Urinating
Some side effects can be serious. The following
symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them,
call your doctor immediately:
- Seizures
- Seeing things or hearing voices that do not
exist (hallucinating)
- Severe skin rash
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Problems with coordination
Alprazolam may cause other
side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems
while taking this medication. Is
It Safe?
Before taking alprazolam:
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are
allergic to alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax),
clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam
(Valium), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), halazepam
(Paxipam), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), prazepam
(Centrax), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam
(Halcion), or any other medications.
- Do not take alprazolam if you are taking
itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral).
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other
prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone,
Pacerone); antidepressants (mood elevators) such as desipramine
(Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), and nefazodone (Serzone);
antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan); antihistamines;
cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac);
ergotamine (Cafatine, Cafergot, Wigraine, others); erythromycin
(E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid);
medications for mental illness and seizures; nicardipine
(Cardene); nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); oral contraceptives
(birth control pills); propoxyphene (Darvon); selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine
(Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil),
and sertraline (Zoloft); sedatives; sleeping pills; and
tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses
of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever
had glaucoma; depression; or lung, kidney, or liver disease.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan
to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become
pregnant while taking alprazolam, call your doctor immediately.
- If you are having surgery, including dental
surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking
alprazolam.
- You should know that alprazolam may make
you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until
you know how this medication affects you.
- Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness
caused by this medication.
What special dietary
instructions should I follow?
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit
juice while taking this medicine.
What If I Miss A
Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember
it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
How Should It Be
Stored?
Keep this medication in the container it
came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store
it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture
(not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated
or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper
disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison
control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed
or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Problems with coordination
- Coma
Anything Else I Should
Know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist
any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not substitute for,
the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed
to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate,
or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional
before taking the product.
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