Use of opioids
Patients using Alprazolam with
opioids are at an increased risk. Such patients may have an increased risk of sleepiness,
coma, breathing problems, and can be fatal. A lowest effective dose of Alprazolam should be given for the minimum duration of time with opioids. Closely monitor signs and symptoms of breathing problems and sleepiness. It is also advised to patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Dependence and withdrawal reactions
There is a risk of dependence and withdrawal reactions in patients who are using Alprazolam. This may occur in patients with a history of
alcohol use or misuse of the drug. Patients using Alprazolam may have a risk of dependence to Alprazolam which can be life-threatening. This medicine also causes withdrawal symptoms including
seizures, disturbed focus, abnormal sensation, inability to think clearly or concentrate (clouded sensorium), weight loss, heightened sensory perception, appetite decrease, alteration of the perception of smell (dysosmia), blurred vision, muscle
cramps,
diarrhea, and muscle twitch. Alprazolam should be discontinued by reducing dosage slowly. The dosage of Alprazolam may be decreased by no more than 0.5 mg every three days.
Memory loss (amnesia)
Patients taking Alprazolam are at an increased risk of
memory loss. The patients should take continuous 7 to 8 hours sleep to reduce the risk of memory loss.
Mental and drug-related reactions (psychiatric and paradoxical reactions)
Children and elderly patients are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Such patients may have an increased risk of nervousness, restlessness, irritability, delusion, aggressiveness, violent uncontrollable anger, nightmares, inappropriate behavior, severe mental disorder, and
hallucinations. The use of Alprazolam in such patients should be discontinued.
Abnormal functioning of kidneys and liver
Patients with abnormal functioning of kidneys and liver are at an increased risk. Alprazolam should be given with caution in such patients.
Depression or anxiety
Patients with
depression or
anxiety are at an increased risk when taking this medicine. Such patients may have increased risk of
suicide when they take Alprazolam alone. Alprazolam should be given for a short period with caution in patients with symptoms of depression or suicide.
Elderly patients
Elderly patients are at an increased risk when taking this medicine. Such patients may have an increased risk of muscle weakness, severe respiratory insufficiency, and sleepiness. Alprazolam should be given with caution and start with a low dose in such patients.
Patients taking Alprazolam
Patients using Alprazolam may have a risk of withdrawal symptoms including prolonged
seizures that can be possibly fatal.
Symptoms occur between dose intervals
Patients using Alprazolam may have a risk of early morning
anxiety which may indicate the development of tolerance. The same total daily dose of Alprazolam should be given in divided doses to such patients.
Risk of dose reduction
The reduction of dose in patients using Alprazolam may have a risk of withdrawal reactions. The doses of Alprazolam should be decreased and stopped gradually.
Slow down of body activities (CNS depression)
Alprazolam may cause slow down of body activities due to its brain
depressive effect. Patients taking Alprazolam should be cautioned while doing activities which require full mental alertness such as driving a motor vehicle or
operating machinery. Such patients also should be cautioned about the simultaneous consumption of
alcohol and other brain depressive drugs.
Risk of harm in an unborn baby
Pregnant women taking Alprazolam may have an increased risk of harm to the unborn baby. This medicine may cause birth defects to unborn babies when given to pregnant women in their first trimester. Alprazolam should be avoided in the first 12 weeks of
pregnancy. If patients are taking Alprazolam, become pregnant or plan to pregnant during treatment they should consult with their doctor about taking or discontinuing the drug.
Tolerance
The repeated use of Alprazolam for few weeks may cause a decrease in its sleep-inducing effect.
Depression patients
The use of Alprazolam in patients with
depression are at increased risk. The use of Alprazolam in patients with depression may cause periods of mild to moderate abnormally elevated mood.
Patients with mental illness
Alprazolam should not be as a primary treatment of mental illness.