An Introduction to Xanax Overdose

Xanax is used for treatment of anxiety an panic disorder. And as with most medications, a person is possible to overdose with it.  The effects of a Xanax overdose can vary in function of some factors, like how much Xanax was consumed and if it has been combined with alcohol, some street drugs or other medicational drugs.

What Are the Symptoms?

The usually reported symptoms of an overdose with Xanax are:

* Sleepiness
* Confusion
* Coordination problems
* Retarded  reflexes
* Coma
* Breathing problems
* Loss of life.

The most dangerous for life overdose symptoms are more probably to happen in case Xanax was consumed along with alcohol or medications that have an effect on the brain.

Treatment for an Overdose of Xanax

There are various treatments for Xanax overdose. If it happened recently, a doctor can prescribe certain medications, or he can “wash” the stomach. It may be helpful to take Romazicon (flumazenil)- one of the benzodiazepine overdose antidote.  Treatment of the resulted symptoms of overdose, also the supportive care are necessary.

Attention! If you think that you just have taken too much Xanax, IMMEDIATELY seek for medical attention!

Dosing With Xanax:  Introduction

The doctor may vary the dose of Xanax (or alprazolam), in function of  a few factors, such as:

• your medical conditions at the moment;
• your medical conditions already treated;
• the medications you may be taking;
• your age.

Do not ever decide by yourself what dose to take except that your doctor specifically instructs you how to do it.

Xanax Dosage for Anxiety

It is recommended to begin the anxiety treatment with the dose of 0.25mg Xanax tablet to 0.5mg each day 3 times. The doctor that takes care of your health may vary the dose for you – increase it or decrease if needed- for controlling the symptoms and side effects of Xanax on your body.

Xanax is more probable to cause side effects to persons with another health problem(s) and to elder ones. For the last one mentioned and for those that suffer from liver disease and some other serious diseases, the starting dose for Xanax is recommended to be 0.25mg each day 2 or 3 times.

Dose of Xanax for Panic Disorder

Often to control the symptoms of panic disorder it is needed a higher dosage of Xanax (comparing with anxiety). Anyway, the recommendation is to begin with the low dose like 0.5mg daily again 3 times. And then your doctor may slowly adjust the necessary dose for you. Precisely the fact that the Xanax dosage is low and then slowly increases to the effective one makes it possible to avoid the unpleasant side effects of the drug.

Depending on the strength, there are available four kind of  doses for Xanax tablets:

• 0.25 mg Xanax tablets
• 0.5 mg Xanax tablets
• 1 mg Xanax tablets
• 2 mg Xanax tablets.

Features

1. Xanax is a benzodiazepine with an added triazole (triazolobenzodiazepine) and works on GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). When the person is stressed, GABA is secreted by neurons, that at the same time stimulate the secretion of chlorine in the neurons.  This interaction has a calming effect, and Xanax hikes this up if used.

Uses

2. The Pfizer prescription for Xanax informs that this medicational drug is made for treatment of panic disorders, and can be prescribed for patients whether or not they have agoraphobia (fear of open spaces).  Xanax is utilized to treat panic attacks and anxiety associated with depression. The producer cautions the fact that Xanax is not to be taken by persons sensitive to benzodiazepines, and of course the doctor has to observe the action of the drug for the patients who have been taking Xanax for more than eight weeks.

Significance

3. Xanax is used to treat persons who suffer from anxiety. According to a document led by Dr. Ronald C. Kessler, about 18% of Americans are possible to suffer from one of the form of anxiety disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that the most common anxiety disorders include the propagated anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These types of disorders are able to have devastating effects on the well-being of the persons who suffer from them, as well as on their close persons.

Effects

4. Alpazolam has the possibility to be habit-forming, signifying that some of the persons who take it have the risk to become chemically addicted to it. When using Xanax, the increase of dose is common, and Pfizer states that even if taking less than 4mg per day – dependency is possible. Pfizer informs that one of the predominant serious withdrawal symptoms from Xanax is seizure. There is possibility of manic incidents in depressed persons who take Xanax.

Considerations

5. Xanax is not to be consumed with alcohol, because each can fortify the effects of the other (Xanax is soluble in alcohol). Amateur use of Xanax by mixing it with other drugs to intensify their effects (heroin and marijuana), also to moderate the effects of psychedelics. The amateur use of Xanax can be very unsafe, particularly when injected  (Wang and Chew).

Physical effects like nausea, stomach aches or headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath or chest pain can come with anxiety. The human body physically gets ready to fight with the perceived threat. As a response to this fight, the digestive and immune system are not very functional, the heart rate and pressure of blood are increased, as well as sweating. . The blood flow which is going to muscle groups also increases. The signs of anxiety are: sweating, pale skin, trembling; but also when going through anxiety- it can be perceived as a feeling of panic or dread.

Sudden blows of  intense fear occurring without a known cause or warning are the panic attacks.  They are far more terrific comparing to the anxiety itself or the sense of being “stressed out” that the majority of humans go through. The statistics show that one person out of  each 75, will undergo panic attacks at least once in their lives.

Persons who repeatedly experience full-blown panic attacks are possible to become incapacitated because of it, and better to look for a treatment earlier than starting to abstain from places or circumstances where panic attacks have happen. To take an example, if a person had a panic attack in an elevator, this can lead to a panic disorder, which can cause a permanent fright of elevators that is able to change the choice of a flat or a working place (job)- this restricts also the places to get medical attention or entertain.

Generally panic attacks are not critical,  but they can terrorize, most of it because of the sense of  “out of control” and “crazy”. Panic disorder is dreadful due to the panic attacks affiliated with it, but also due to the fact that it frequently causes other complications like depression, drug/alcohol abuse, phobias, medical complications, up to suicide.

Another dangerous interaction while using Xanax can be caused by the grapefruit or its juice. Better have a discussion with your doctor regarding the consumption of grapefruit during the treatment. Do not change the amount of grapefruit products from your usual diet before the doctor’s consult.

Before using Xanax, be sure to talk to your doctor, especially in case you have glaucoma, any breathing problems, kidney disease or liver problems, also if you have in past (or present) a depression or dependence of drugs or alcohol.

The alcohol consumption is contraindicated during the time you are taking Xanax, it can increase the alcohol’s effect. This drug should be taken only by the person for which it was prescribed, as it can be addictive. Do not share Xanax with other persons, especially if that person had an addiction or abuse of drugs. Be certain to put the medication in a safe place where it cannot be found by other people.