ALPRAZOLAMTRANSCRIPT (page 1 of 3)If you have anxiety or panic disorder, you may be prescribed Alprazolam. You mayalso be familiar with its brand name, Xanax.Alprazolam is a high alert medication, which means if you do not take it exactly asprescribed, it may cause illness or injury.To understand how Alprazolam works, let’s look at how anxiety and panic disorderaffect your body.Your brain is constantly firing information and messages to the rest of your body,telling you what to think, what to feel and what to do. When you are faced with asituation that makes you anxious or causes you to panic, your brain puts you in a stateof alert and gets you ready to face the situation.When it passes, the nerve signals in your brain slow down and your body calms. Butwhen you suffer from anxiety or panic disorders, your brain can’t turn off that state ofalert.Alprazolam works by slowing the activity of the nerves in the brain.Alprazolam comes in a tablet or in an orally disintegrating tablet that dissolves underyour tongue.It is available in different doses. You may be prescribed a short-acting dose for anxietythat comes and goes, or you may be prescribed an Extended Release dose to manageyour anxiety for longer periods of time.Orally disintegrating tablets are short acting. Make sure you understand exactly whatyou are taking and how you are supposed to take it to avoid injury.Alprazolam is a powerful medication. Some people should not take it. Do not 20%takegradient meshAlprazolam if you are allergic to other anti-anxiety medications, Klonopin or Valium.Do not take Alprazolam if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, orbreastfeeding. Alprazolam can harm your baby.healthclipshealthclipsBefore taking Alprazolam, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of:asthma or other breathing problems, glaucoma, liver or kidney problems, or healthclipsdepression or suicidal thoughts.healthclips(Continued on next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10025_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshALPRAZOLAMTRANSCRIPT (page 2 of 3)Alprazolam can be highly addictive. If you have a history of abuse of: street drugs,prescription medications, or alcohol, tell your healthcare provider. There may be adifferent medication available for you.Some side effects of Alprazolam include: dizziness, feeling tired, blurred vision,headache, dry mouth, change in appetite, depression, constipation, diarrhea, tremors,and nausea.If you do notice any of these side effects, contact your healthcare provider about howto manage them.Eating grapefruit, or drinking grapefruit juice, while taking Alprazolam can increaseyour side effects. If you do eat grapefruit, eat or drink about the same amount everyday to avoid an increase in side effects.Be aware that you are at an increased risk of falling while taking Alprazolam. Get upfrom a sitting or lying position slowly.Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, including your car, until you know howAlprazolam affects you.Do not drink alcohol while taking Alprazolam. Alprazolam can increase the effects ofalcohol.If you have an allergic reaction like: trouble breathing, hives, or swelling of your faceor throat, call 911.If you have: hallucinations or unusual behaviors, no fear of danger, thoughts of suicideor hurting yourself, chest pain or fast heartbeats, if you feel like you are going to passout, or have yellow skin or eyes, call 911 and get help right away.20% gradient meshThis is not a complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible sideeffects with your healthcare provider.healthclipsTake Alprazolam exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose or take it for longerhealthclipsthan prescribed.If you are taking Alprazolam Extended Release, always swallow the pill wholehealthclipswithplenty of water. Do not cut, break, chew, crush, or dissolve this medication.healthclips(Continued on next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10025_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshALPRAZOLAMTRANSCRIPT (page 3 of 3)When taking an orally disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry and peelback the cover of the package. Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve.Do not swallow the tablet whole or chew it.Alprazolam Extended release should be taken at the same time every day. If you missa dose, take your Alprazolam as soon as you remember. Do not double dose to makeup for a missed dose. Return to your normal medication schedule as soon as possible.Short-acting Alprazolam is usually taken just as needed.If you think you have taken too much Alprazolam, call 911. An overdose can lead todeath.Store Alprazolam away from moisture and direct sunlight. Your bathroom medicinecabinet is not the best place because of moisture. Do not leave your medication whereit can get too hot or too cold. Always store your medication out of sight and out ofreach of children to prevent accidents.Because Alprazolam can cause dependency, it can be a very desirable drug to addicts.Lock this medication up to prevent stealing and abuse.When you are done taking Alprazolam tablets, crush all of your remaining pills andmix them with undesirable trash like kitty litter or coffee grounds.Do not sell or give your Alprazolam to anyone else. It is against the law and canseriously harm anyone else taking it. Contact your local police station for moreinformation on proper disposal directions.Alprazolam can help you manage anxiety or panic disorder. But it is a powerfulmedication that should only be taken exactly as prescribed. If you have any questionsabout Alprazolam, ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist for more information.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10025_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
