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Alprazolam
Indications:
Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic
attacks. Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It
works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Usage:
Alprazolam comes as a tablet and a
concentrated solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It usually is taken two to
four times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label
carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not
understand. Take alprazolam exactly as directed.
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.
special precautions:
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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.
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do not take alprazolam if you are taking itraconazole (Sporanox)
or ketoconazole (Nizoral).
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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.
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tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma;
depression; or lung, kidney, or liver disease.
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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.
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if you are having surgery, including dental surgery,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking alprazolam.
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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.
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remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused
by this medication.
side effects:
Alprazolam may cause side
effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
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