Alprazolam is a tranquilizer, which is used in the treatment of depressive conditions and other mental disorders.
The main active ingredient, which is a part of the preparation, has anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and also central muscle relaxant action. The hypnotic effect of Alprazolam is accompanied by a decrease in emotional tension, as well as a weakening of anxiety, fear and anxiety.
On this page you will find all information about Alprazolam: the full instructions for use on this medication medium, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already applied Alprazolam. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.
Clinical and pharmacological group
Anxiolytic agent (tranquilizer), a derivative of triazolo-benzodiazepine.
Conditions of leave from pharmacies
The drug is released by prescription.
Price list
How much is Alprazolam? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of390 rubles.
.Form of issue and composition
The drug is available in the form of tablets, 10 pieces in a blister (5 blisters in a cardboard box) and 50 pieces in polymer cans (1 can in a carton). One tablet of Alprazolam contains, 5 mg or 1 mg of alprazolam, as well as additional ingredients, including milk sugar.
pharmachologic effect
Alprazolam is an anxiolytic agent (tranquilizer), a derivative of triazolo-benzodiazepine. Has anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, central muscle relaxant effect.
The mechanism of action is to enhance the inhibitory effect of endogenous GABA in the central nervous system by increasing the sensitivity of GABA receptors to the mediator as a result of stimulation benzodiazepine receptors located in the allosteric center of the postsynaptic GABA receptors of the ascending activating reticular formation of the brain stem and intercalary neurons of the lateral horns of the spinal cord; reduces the excitability of subcortical structures of the brain (limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus), inhibits polysynaptic spinal reflexes.
Severe anxiolytic activity (reduction of emotional tension, alleviation of anxiety, fear, anxiety) is combined with moderately expressed hypnotic effect; shortens the period of falling asleep, prolongs the duration of sleep, reduces the number of night awakenings. The mechanism of hypnotic action is the inhibition of cells of the reticular formation of the brain stem. Reduces the impact of emotional, vegetative and motor stimuli, which break the mechanism of falling asleep.
Indications for use of Alprazolam
According to the instructions, Alprazolam is used as a weak antidepressant in the complex therapy of nonpsychotic disorders:
- Mixed anxiety-depressive conditions;
- Neurosis and anxiety with a sense of anxiety, anxiety, tension, deterioration of sleep, irritability and somatic disorders;
- Neurotic reactive-depressive conditions, which are accompanied by a loss of interest in the environment, decreased mood, loss of sleep, anxiety, impaired appetite, weight changes and somatic violations;
- Panic conditions, phobia and panic attacks.
In addition, according to reviews, Alprazolam is effective in the treatment of neurotic depressions and anxiety-depressive conditions that have developed against a background of various somatic diseases.
Contraindications
The rules prohibit the use of Alprazolam in the following cases:
- Coma.
- Shock.
- Depression with a complicated course.
- Acute alcohol intoxication.
- Closed-angle form of glaucoma.
- Acute poisoning with sleeping pills or psychotropic drugs, an anesthetic of the opioid series.
- Acute insufficiency of respiratory function.
- Chronic airway obstruction with the first symptoms of insufficiency.
- Myasthenia gravis (rapid fatigue of the striated muscles).
- Pathological reaction to the components of Alprazolam, in particular - benzodiazepines.
You can not prescribe Alprazolam to women who are waiting for a baby - it is toxic to the fetus. The active substance of the drug may adversely affect the baby, as it is secreted into breast milk. During the period of drinking Alprazolam, it is necessary to stop the natural feeding.
Instruction allows you to assign funds to people who have reached the age of 18. During treatment, alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Caution Alprazolam is prescribed for liver or renal dysfunction.
Application in pregnancy and lactation
The use of alprazolam during pregnancy and lactation is prohibited. Before starting treatment with alprazolam, women of childbearing age should be excluded from pregnancy and choose a reliable contraceptive.
When pregnancy occurs during treatment with alprazolam, you should consult a doctor who will suggest a drug withdrawal plan and assess possible risks to the fetus.
Instructions for Use Alprazolam
The instructions for use indicate that Alprazolam is intended for oral use. It is taken regardless of food intake. As a rule, it is recommended to divide the daily dose by 2-3 doses. The duration of therapy and doses of alprazolam are determined individually. When choosing a dose, you should carefully monitor the patient's condition, tolerability of alprazolam and, taking into account the effect achieved, adjust the dose.
Adults with panic disorders and depressive states are usually prescribed alprazolam in an initial dose, mg twice or thrice a day. If necessary, 1-2 weeks after the start of therapy, the dose of alprazolam is gradually increased (it is recommended to start increasing the dose from the evening reception, after which the morning dose is increased). The recommended therapeutic dose is 3-6 mg of alprazolam per day.
Weak patients and elderly patients are not recommended to appoint more than 5 mg of alprazolam three times a day. If necessary, it is possible to increase the dose under the close supervision of medical personnel.
In case of anxiety, sleep disturbance and anxiety, it is usually recommended that, mg alprazolam per day. If necessary, the dose is gradually increased to 3 mg of alprazolam per day.
The highest recommended daily dose of alprazolam is 10 mg.
- The duration of therapy for acute conditions is 3-5 days.
- With prolonged therapy, alprazolam is taken up to 3 months.
Cancellation of the drug is carried out gradually, it is recommended to reduce the dose of alprazolam by 500 μg every 3 days for 2-6 weeks.With a sharp cessation of alprazolam therapy, withdrawal can occur. Depending on the condition of the patient and the response to a decrease in the dose, the withdrawal period of the drug Alprazolam may be increased.
When choosing a dose, it should be taken into account that patients who have not previously received psychotropic drugs have a better response to the drug Alprazolam (lower doses are required to achieve a therapeutic effect) than patients who previously received antidepressants and anxiolytics.
Side effects
The drug is capable of causing side reactions, characteristic of preparations of the anxiolytics group:
- Changes in blood counts.
- On the part of the genitals and urinary: increased or decreased sexual desire, disruption of kidney function, urinary retention or incontinence, menstrual irregularities.
- Allergic reactions in the form of skin rash, urticaria, anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema;
- Digestive system: dry mouth, changes in "liver" indicators, disorders of stool in the form of constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis.
- The central nervous system, especially in weakened patients, can react to the medication with the appearance of weakness, drowsiness, violation orientation, headache, euphoria, increased excitability, psychomotor agitation, speech disorders, slowness, decrease memory, violation of coordination of movements, reactions of a paradoxical nature to external stimuli, hallucinations, increased anxiety, spasms muscles, insomnia.
Perhaps the development of drug dependence, addiction, changes in body weight, disruption of the heart in the form of arrhythmia, a sharp drop in blood pressure.
Overdose
Overdose Alprazolam is manifested in drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, coma. In some cases, a deliberate overdose of this medication may result in death.
An overdose with a fatal outcome was reported in patients who took the medication in combination withbenzodiazepines, alcohol (the level of alcohol in the blood was significantly lower than the degree of alcoholism, leading to death).
Alprazolam and alcohol
During therapy with Alprazolam it is forbidden to drink alcohol. The drug significantly increases the effect of alcohol on the body, which can lead to a sharp decrease or increase in blood pressure, chills, vomiting, impaired cerebral circulation, bleeding, hemorrhage, bleeding disorder, stroke, heart attack, coma and even lethal outcome.
Alprazolam can be used for breakage and remission to prevent relapse. Also, it is effectively used for remissions in cases of violations that lead to cravings for alcohol. Treatment with the drug gives good results in the treatment of neurotic and psychopathic disorders in patients with chronic alcoholism.
The withdrawal syndrome
Alprazolam refers to such drugs, the treatment of which can not be abruptly abolished. This will lead to the formation of withdrawal syndrome. This condition is quite unpleasant for the patient and manifests a number of symptoms:
- increased sweating;
- disturbed sleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings;
- fear of bright light;
- mood lability;
- violation of the perception of ordinary events and situations;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- increased irritability;
- psycho-motor agitation, psychoses;
- spasmodic smooth and skeletal muscle system;
- convulsive syndrome;
- development of acute psychosis.
Treatment of withdrawal syndrome is symptomatic and is aimed at eliminating symptoms. Appointed drugs that normalize the heart rate, anticonvulsants, adjusted psychotropic therapy.
Reviews
The vast majority of reviews about Alprazolam are positive, because, according to patients and doctors, this is one of the most successful tranquilizers. The reviews indicate that Alprazolam perfectly suppresses fear, anxiety and eliminates panic attacks, and at the same time does not tend to sleep, does not cause too much euphoria or a sense of intoxication. Such a combination of an excellent anti-anxiety effect and a small effect on consciousness makes Alprazolam the drug of choice for people who need to work against the background of the therapy and, accordingly, be in decent shape and condition.
Also, to the pluses of Alprazolam people include that it can be used as a course for the treatment of serious pathology, and occasionally, if necessary, cope with anxiety and anxiety before some important or otherwise event. Quite often in the reviews it is indicated that Alprazolam helps to cope with anxiety and fear before a responsible interview, an important meeting or a visit to the dentist. In other words, the drug suppresses anxiety and fear of an event that causes such emotions in a person.
There are practically no negative reviews about Alprazolam, which is due to its high efficiency and good tolerability. However, one should not forget that Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine drug, and therefore can cause addiction.
Interaction with other medicinal products
The drug with caution should be taken with the simultaneous administration of tetracycline antibiotics, macrolides and digoxin.
With the simultaneous use of Alprazolam and psychotropic drugs, toxic effects on the central nervous system and vital internal organs, so if the patient is already taking something from the above group of medicines, this doctor!
Analogues
Alprazolam structural analogues include the following drugs: Alzolam, Helex, Helex SR, Zolomax.
Storage conditions
The drug is dispensed from the pharmacies strictly on presentation of the prescription. The shelf life of this product is five years.
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