Alprazolam (Xanax)

Category:

  • Anxiolytic

Description:

  • Benzodiazepine

Indications:

  • Anxiety, panic disorder, anxiety with depressive symptoms

  • Depression, agoraphobia with social phobia (2-8mg daily): Not FDA approved

Contraindications:

  • Untreated narrow-angle glaucoma, psychosis

  • Concurrent treatment with ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazadone

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category D

  • Elderly, debilitated, hepatic disease, renal disease, suicidal patients

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: anxiety, ataxia, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, hallucinations, headache, insomnia, stimulation, tremors

  • CV: bradycardia, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia

  • EENT: blurred vision, mydriasis, tinnitus

  • GI: anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, hepatic dysfunction, nausea, vomiting

  • SKIN: dermatitis, itching, rash

Dosage:

Administered orally

  • Adult:            

    • Anxiety: PO 0.25-0.5mg 3 times daily, up to 4mg daily in divided doses

    • Panic disorder: PO 0.5mg 3 times daily; increase dose every 3-4 days in 1mg per day increments to 10mg daily

  • Geriatric: PO 0.25mg 2-3 times daily

 

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300 

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
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2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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