Zanax
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009Have you or someone you know been prescribed Zanax? If so you may be looking for all of the information to help you use this medication safely and effectively. Your first source of information should be always be a pharmacist or doctor, but this article may be able to help you figure out which questions you should ask.
Zanax is also known as Xanax or by its generic name alprazolam. It is mainly used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, but it can also be used for sleeping problems because of its sedative effects. Another off-label use of this medication is to treat agitation. Any time you see the term “off-label” it refers to use for which a drug was not originally designed. Many drugs have off-label uses that are safe and effective, but you need to be aware of what the differences are and what the term refers to.
Zanax is related to other drugs such as Ativan, Valium and Loricet. All of these medications belong to the benzodiazepine family. All of the medications in this drug family act very much alike. So they work in a very similar way they also share many of the same side effects. If you are familiar with what these side effects are you may be better prepared to handle them if it becomes an issue. You may be surprised by how strongly these medications affect you.
Benzodiazepines like Zanax affect the central nervous system (CNS). They are classified as CNS depressants, meaning they make it workless strongly. Although it is not totally clear how this medication affects the CNS, it is believed that it acts on several different levels including the limbic, thalamic and hypothalamic levels. So it works on the CNS it can also affect systems such as the respiratory system. Using substances such as alcohol at the same time as Zanax can be a problem since it can also cause breathing problems and increased CNS effects.
The respiratory system is one of the systems also affected by benzodiazepines. Using medications like Zanax can cause it to workless strongly. Breathing can become shallower and less effective. This can be serious if a medical condition like asthma is present or if another CNS depressant is also being used. Alcohol is a major CNS depressant.
Other reported side effects include speech problems, changes in sex drive, confusion, talkativeness, unusual dreams, a feeling of warmth, constipation, increased salivation, nasal congestion, difficulty urinating, menstrual problems and dry mouth. One thing you should be most aware of is the fact that Zanex can be extremely habit forming.
Other medical conditions can alter how your body uses this medication or what the dose you require is. These can include liver and kidney damage. Other medical conditions that may make you unable to take Zanax include asthma or breathing problems, depression, drug or alcohol dependency or glaucoma.
You also should not use Zanax if you are pregnant or would like to become pregnant. Using this medication can affect the foetus and cause problems after birth. This can include addiction of the baby to this medication and withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with in young infants. If you are breastfeeding the use of Zanax is also not a good idea. This is because it can pass into the breast milk.
If you suffer from anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, Zanax can be a safe and effective way to treat your symptoms. You can work with your doctor to make an informed and effective decision.