What Are Anti-anxiety Drugs?

Majority of the anti-anxiety drugs, nowadays, that are usually given are Klonopin and Xanax. They replace the less effective and more addictive anti-anxiety drugs of the former ones that consist of valium. They are harmless to take on a short-run basis and you should only take them at the time you are experiencing anxiety disorder. They will aid to cool the way you feel down and cause the anxiety to go away.

The disadvantages of taking anti-anxiety drugs is that they develop some forms of tolerance inside your system and it will result to some kind of steady withdrawal at the time you attempt to halt taking the drugs. If you feel the anxiety disorder is awful, just chill till you begin the withdrawal. Medical practitioners have their own method of aiding one to quit taking anxiety medications and it won't make you act as if you are stressing your mind. You are detached off the drugs with the aid of some drugs. When you begin to ingest anti-anxiety drugs, utilize them meagerly and don't form the habit of depending on them. When you begin to feel you are consuming more than the way it was prescribed, then there is every reason to talk to a medical practitioner concerning a withdrawal program.

Anxiety Disorders Treatment: Prozac Information

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, anxiety disorders (panic attacks), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a certain eating disorder (bulimia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

SSRIs work by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters such as serotonin). Fluoxetine may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease anxiety/unreasonable fears, persistent/troubling thoughts (obsessions), and unwanted urges that keep returning (compulsions). It may decrease the number and severity of panic attacks. Fluoxetine may lessen premenstrual symptoms such as irritability, increased appetite, and depression. It may decrease bingeing and purging behaviors in bulimia.

How To Use Prozac?

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using fluoxetine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. This medication may make you either sleepy or wakeful. Therefore, depending on how this medication affects you, your doctor may direct you to take the entire dose once daily in either the morning or evening. If you are taking this medication twice a day, your doctor may direct you to take it in the morning and at noon.

If you are using the liquid form of this medication, measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
If you are taking fluoxetine for premenstrual problems, your doctor may direct you to take it every day of the month or just for the 2 weeks before your period through the first full day of your period. To help you remember, mark your calendar.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not take more or less medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.

It is important to continue taking this medication as prescribed even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

You should see some improvement in 1 to 2 weeks. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefit.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

How should I take Xanax?

Take Xanax exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Xanax may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Xanax should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure the liquid form of Xanax with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To take alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets (Niravam):

-*- Using dry hands, remove a tablet from the bottle and place the tablet on your tongue. It will begin to dissolve right away.
-*- Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
-*- Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid after the tablet has completely dissolved.

Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your panic or anxiety symptoms.

Your symptoms may return when you stop using Xanax after using it over a long period of time. You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Xanax. Withdrawal symptoms may include blurred vision, trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, diarrhea, muscle twitching, numbness or tingling, or increased sensations.
Do not stop using Xanax suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store Xanax at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Remove any cotton from the bottle of disintegrating tablets, and keep the bottle tightly closed.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of this medicine can be fatal.

Xanax overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking Xanax?

Do not drink alcohol while taking Xanax. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. Xanax can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Xanax and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of Xanax?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

* unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;
* depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
* hyperactivity, agitation, hostility, hallucinations;
* feeling light-headed, fainting;
* seizure (convulsions);
* urinating less than usual or not at all;
* muscle twitching, tremor; or
* jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious Xanax side effects may include:

* drowsiness, dizziness, feeling irritable;
* amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating;
* sleep problems (insomnia);
* muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination, slurred speech;
* blurred vision;
* nausea, vomiting, constipation, appetite or weight changes;
* dry or watery mouth, increased sweating; or
* loss of interest in sex.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Xanax?

Before using Xanax, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Xanax.

Before taking Xanax, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

* birth control pills;
* cimetidine (Tagamet);
* diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem);
* isoniazid (IsonaRif, Rifamate);
* propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
* seizure medication;
* antibiotics such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
* antidepressants such as fluvoxamine (Luvox), desipramine (Norpramin), or imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Xanax, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Xanax. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

hope this series of post about xanax was informative.

Before taking Xanax

It is dangerous to try and purchase Xanax on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy.

Do not use this medication if you have:

* narrow-angle glaucoma;
* if you are also taking itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
* if you are allergic to alprazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).

Before taking Xanax, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

* asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
* glaucoma;
* kidney or liver disease (especially alcoholic liver disease);
* a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
* a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Xanax.

FDA pregnancy category D. Xanax can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. Xanax can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. The sedative effects of this medication may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Xanax. Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old.

Xanax information

What is Xanax?

Generic Name: alprazolam (al PRAY zoe lam)
Brand Names: Niravam, Xanax

Xanax is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.

Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.


Important information about Xanax

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Xanax or to other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax). This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Xanax if you are pregnant.

Before taking Xanax, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Xanax. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. Xanax may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Xanax should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

It is dangerous to try and purchase Xanax on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of Xanax purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

Next post i will blog about what to do before taking xanax in more details.