Alprazolam (Xanax)

Category:

• Anxiolytic

Description:

• Benzodiazepine

Indications:

• Anxiety, panic disorder, anxiety with depressive symptoms

• Depression, agoraphobia with social phobia (2-8mg daily): Not FDA approved

Contraindications:

• Untreated narrow-angle glaucoma, psychosis

• Concurrent treatment with ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazadone

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category D

• Elderly, debilitated, hepatic disease, renal disease, suicidal patients

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: anxiety, ataxia, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, hallucinations, headache, insomnia, stimulation, tremors

• CV: bradycardia, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia

• EENT: blurred vision, mydriasis, tinnitus

• GI: anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, hepatic dysfunction, nausea, vomiting

• SKIN: dermatitis, itching, rash

Dosage:

Administered orally

• Adult:            

  • Anxiety: PO 0.25-0.5mg 3 times daily, up to 4mg daily in divided doses

  • Panic disorder: PO 0.5mg 3 times daily; increase dose every 3-4 days in 1mg per day increments to 10mg daily

• Geriatric: PO 0.25mg 2-3 times daily