Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Alprazolam is an anti-anxiety medication in the
benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium),
clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others.
Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a
chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other) that inhibits
activity in the brain. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may
cause anxiety or other psychiatric disorders.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg. Tablets ER (extended release):
0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mg. Solution: 1 mg/ml
STORAGE: Alprazolam should be stored at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Alprazolam is used for the treatment of anxiety disorders and
panic attacks. Anxiety disorders are characterized by unrealistic worry and
apprehension, causing symptoms of restlessness, aches, trembling, shortness of
breath, smothering sensation, palpitations, sweating, cold clammy hands,
lightheadedness, flushing, exaggerated startle responses, problems
concentrating, and insomnia. Panic attacks occur either unexpectedly or in
certain situations (for example, driving), and can require higher dosages of
alprazolam.
DOSING: Alprazolam may be taken with or without food. The starting dose for
treating anxiety is 0.25-0.5 mg 3 times daily using immediate release tablets.
The dose may be increased every 3-4 days to a maximum dose of 4 mg daily. The
starting dose for treating panic attacks is 0.5 mg 3 times daily. Doses can be
increased every 3-4 days but by no more than 1 mg daily. The effective dose for
preventing panic attacks may be as high as 6 mg daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:Ketoconazole
(Nizoral), itraconazole
(Sporanox), nefazodone
(Serzone), cimetidine
(Tagamet), and
fluvoxamine (Luvox) increase the blood concentration of alprazolam and therefore may
increase the side effects of alprazolam.
Alprazolam interacts with alcohol and medications (for example, alcohol,
barbiturates, and narcotics) by exaggerating their slowing of activity in the
brain and sedation.
PREGNANCY: Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, can cause fetal abnormalities
and should not be used in pregnancy or in nursing mothers.
NURSING MOTHERS: Alprazolam is excreted in
breast milk and can affect nursing
infants. Therefore, it should not be used by women who are nursing.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most frequent side effects of alprazolam taken at lower
doses are drowsiness or lightheadedness, which probably reflect the normal
actions of the drug. Side effects of higher dosages (those used for panic
attacks) include fatigue, memory problems, speech problems, constipation, and
changes in appetite with resultant changes in weight.
Alprazolam can lead to addiction (dependency), especially at high dosages
over prolonged periods of time. Abrupt discontinuation of the alprazolam after
prolonged use can lead to symptoms of withdrawal such as insomnia,
headaches,
nausea,
vomiting, lightheadedness, sweating, anxiety, and fatigue.
Seizures can
occur in more severe cases of withdrawal. Consequently, patients on alprazolam
for extended periods of time should slowly taper the medication under a doctor's
supervision rather than abruptly stopping the medication.
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. These episodes can occur at any time, even during sleep. A person experiencing a panic attack may believe that he or she is having a heart attack or that death is imminent. The fear and terror that a person experiences during a panic attack are not in proportion to the true situation and may be unrelated to what is happening around them. Most people with panic attacks experience several of the following symptoms: racing heartbeat, faintness, dizzyness, numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers, chills, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of loss or control. There are several treatments for panic attacks.
Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
Agoraphobia is a fear of being outside or of being in a situation from which escape would be impossible. Symptoms include anxiety, fear, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, or dizziness. Treatment may incorporate psychotherapy, self-exposure to the anxiety-causing situation, and medications such as SSRIs, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers.
Separation anxiety disorder is a common childhood anxiety disorder that has many causes. Infants, children, older kids and adults can suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder. Common treatment methods include therapy and medications.
To understand separation anxiety disorder, it is important to first recognize the normal difficulty that infants and toddlers have with strangers and in separating from parents and caretakers. Infants show stranger anxiety by crying when someone unfamiliar to them approaches. This normal stage of development is connected with the baby learning to distinguish his or her parents or other familiar caretakers from people they don't know. Stranger anxiety usually starts at about 8 months of age and ends by 2 years of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Separation anxiety as a normal life stage first develops at about 7 months of age, once a baby understands that his or her caregivers do not disappear when out of sight (object permanence). That leads to the baby developing a true attachment to those adults. Normal separation anxiety is
most commonly at its strongest at 10-18 months of age and gradually subsides, us...
Mental Health RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the