Alprazolam Or Xanax: Effects And Side Effects

Alprazolam is prescribed more than any other drug for anxiety disorders, panic attacks or intense stress. His brand name, Xanax, probably sounds a lot more familiar to our ears. This is a very effective drug in psychiatry. However, its use and administration should be carefully monitored to avoid tolerance and dependence.

We’ve all heard of Xanax. However, we do not realize that this medicine has effects and side effects that we should not lose sight of. First, it is a so-called ‘intermediate-acting’ benzodiapine. This means that it works relatively quickly but retains its effect longer than the so-called short-acting (‘direct release’) medication (which often has to be administered several times a day). The advantage of the relatively fast-acting nature of alprazolam is that it comes in handy during an anxiety or panic attack, for example.

Alprazolam is also used as an antidepressant and sedative. It is an anxiolytic, which in itself suggests that it is not prescribed exclusively for depression. Its effect against isolated depression has therefore not been proven. The main problems targeted by this medication are anxiety or neuroses. However, these often go hand in hand with depression.

It is without a doubt a useful and effective pharmacological treatment option. However, it is also important to be aware of its possible side effects.

What exactly is alprazolam?

Alprazolam is an active ingredient of Xanax. In general, each tablet contains 0.5 milligrams of this active ingredient. The rest of the pill consists of:

• lactose monohydrate
• microcrystalline cellulose
• cornstarch
• sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (85%) with sodium benzoate (15%)
• silicon dioxide
• magnesium stearate
• and so forth

As you can see, the majority of the tablet itself consists of tools.

It may also be said that  Upjohn Laboratories (now part of Pfizer) was the first manufacturer of alprazolam in the 1960s. At the time, this served as an alternative to barbiturates, which are immensely addictive and have serious side effects. However, it was not until 1981 that alprazolam was first approved as a treatment for panic attacks. It seemed an immediate success. So much so, in fact, that it is the most prescribed benzodiapine in the world today.

In what cases is alprazolam prescribed?

Natalia has been taking alprazolam for six years. However, she only takes this medication when she needs it, i.e. when her fears get in the way of her being unable to react or think. She takes the medication when she is overcome by a panic attack or feels that stress is preventing her from working or caring for her children.

It all started with the death of her father. This was an unexpected and traumatic event that she cannot get over. Her GP, who took a close look at her condition, prescribed her alprazolam under one condition:  she should only take it when the situation is critical, and not on an assembly line. This is a single example of several cases where alprazolam is useful and performs its function well. But let’s take a look at all its possible uses:

• Treatment of anxiety disorders
• Panic attacks
• Psychosocial stress or adjustment disorders
• Anxiety disorder in combination with depression
• Social Anxiety Disorder

The mechanism of action of alprazolam

The digestive tract absorbs the drug with ease. It has a fast effect and a bioavailability of 80% to 90%. The medication is metabolized in the liver and exits the body through the bladder. It is also common for doctors to prescribe doses between 0.25 milligrams and 0.5 milligrams, three times a day.

Also remember that the mechanism of action of benzodiapines is almost always the same: they increase the sensitivity of the GABA receptors (for the GABA neurotransmitter) in the brain. This enhances their inhibitory effect. However, the structure of alprazolam is somewhat special. This is in fact very similar to that of a tricyclic antidepressant. This generates narcotic, hypnotic and anti-convulsant effects and an above-average potential to reduce feelings of anxiety. In conclusion, this benzodiapine has a particularly strong effect and is quickly absorbed by the body.

What side effects can it have?

Alprazolam, like any other medication — especially the psychoactive kind — has side effects. According to the guidelines, you should never use this medicine for more than  12 weeks  in a row. This also includes the dismantling.

Your doctor or therapist will always assess your situation first. In addition, they will consider the possibility of including other medications in your treatment, reduce the dose and eventually begin the gradual withdrawal of the alprazolam. This is because stopping this medicine out of the blue can only have negative effects.

Let’s take a look at the possible side effects of alprazolam.

The most common side effects

• drowsiness
• Headache
• blockage
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth

Less common side effects

• Changes in your physical coordination
• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Fatigue
• Memory problems
• Fear
• Increased heartrate
• Insomnia
• Confusion
• Attention problems
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Changes in libido
• Irregular Menstrual Cycle
• Urinary retention

What contraindications apply to alprazolam?

Doctors will not prescribe this drug alone. There are exceptional cases where doctors will need to keep the following in mind:

• Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma cannot be treated with this medication.

• People with respiratory disease, lung or kidney insufficiency should not take this drug.
• Pregnant and nursing mothers should not use this medicine. This is because it is not yet completely clear whether or not the drug is harmful to the fetus or baby.

In summary, as effective as alprazolam for the timely treatment of short-term anxiety, psychiatric medication is not a definitive solution. Supplement this treatment with psychotherapy. This is the best possible way to get to the root of the problem and solve it.

Bibliography

Salazar, M.; Peralta, C.; Pastor, J. (2011). Manual of Psicopharmacologia . Madrid, Editorial Medica Panamericana.

Caplan, JP, Epstein, LA, Quinn, DK, Stevens, JR, y Stern, TA (2007). Efectos neuropsiquiátricos del abuso de medicamentos recetados. Neuropsychology Review  , 17(3), 363-80. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11065-007-9037-7

Gomez, M. (2012). Psicobiology. Manual CEDE de Preparation PIR.12. CEDE: Madrid.