Xanax® (alprazolam) is a medication that treats anxiety. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how often you should take this medication. You shouldn’t take more than your prescription label directs.
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ALPRAZOLAM (al PRAY zoe lam) treats anxiety. It works by helping your nervous system calm down. It belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Xanax
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Do not take it more often than directed. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.
People 65 years and older may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
This medication may also interact with the following:
Other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with this medication. It is important to take this medication as directed by your care team.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
This medication is a CNS depressant. This is a type of medication or substance that slows down your brain and nervous system. Taking it with other CNS depressants can make you too sleepy. This can make it hard to breathe and stay awake. In some cases, it can cause coma and death. CNS depressants include opioids, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, medications for sleep, alcohol, and street drugs. Talk to your care team about all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. They can tell you what is safe to take together. Call emergency services right away if you have slow or shallow breathing, feel dizzy or confused, or have trouble staying awake.
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Do not stop taking this medication or reduce your dose without first talking to your care team. If you have taken this medication for a long time or take a high dose, your body may rely on it. Stopping it suddenly may cause a severe reaction. Talk to your care team about how long you need to take this medication. When it is time to stop, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to reduce the risk of side effects.
This medication may worsen depression and cause thoughts of suicide. This can happen at any time but is more common after first starting treatment and after a change in dose. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood and behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. They can help you.
Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Prolonged use of this medication during pregnancy can cause temporary withdrawal in a newborn.
Talk to your care team before breastfeeding. Changes to your treatment plan may be needed. If you breastfeed while taking this medication, seek medical care right away if you notice the child has slow or noisy breathing, is unusually sleepy or not able to wake up, or is limp.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
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Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets. Store it out of sight in a safe place. Do not share it with others. Misuse of this medication is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
This medication may cause harm and death if it is taken by other adults, children, or pets. It is important to get rid of the medication as soon as you no longer need it or it is expired. To get rid of this medication:
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NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.