| Summary: Dick's Guide to Upjohn's Xanax, Alprazolam and
Xanax, Alprazolam withdrawal; Benzodiazepines, Halcion, Ativan, Klonopin and
Xanax, Alprazolam warnings and Xanax, Alprazolam detoxification
and withdrawal syndromes resulting from Benzodiazepine addiction and
dependency provides links to books and other
websites relating to Xanax, Alprazolam, Xanax, Alprazolam withdrawal,
Benzodiazepines, Xanax, Alprazolam detoxification, withdrawal syndromes,
addiction and Upjohn, Klonopin, Xanax, Alprazolam warnings plus
dependency. You will also find detailed information searches about
dependency, addiction, withdrawal syndromes, Upjohn, Xanax, Alprazolam
detoxification, Klonopin, Xanax, Alprazolam warnings, Xanax, Alprazolam,
Xanax, Alprazolam withdrawal, Benzodiazepines, Halcion and Ativan as well as
links to books about Halcion, dependency, addiction, withdrawal syndromes,
Upjohn, Xanax, Alprazolam detoxification, Klonopin, Xanax, Alprazolam
warnings, Xanax, Alprazolam, Ativan, Benzodiazepines and the Xanax,
Alprazolam withdrawal. These book links are at the bottom of this page. If
there is still more information you need on Xanax, Alprazolam or Xanax,
Alprazolam withdrawal or Benzodiazepines, Halcion, or Ativan, Klonopin or
Xanax, Alprazolam warnings or Xanax, Alprazolam detoxification, Upjohn,
withdrawal syndromes, addiction or dependency, please ask me the question
using the form at
FreeResearch.html. All Dick's Guides contain proper citations for
bibliographies, in MLA formats. See below for proper citation.
To learn more about general
SELF CARE, click here.
Synopsis: "Studies of Xanax (generic name, Alprazolam) ... show that
most patients develop withdrawal symptoms during routine treatment lasting
only eight weeks. Tolerance, or the need for increasing doses to achieve the
same psychoactive effect, is the underlying physical mechanism of addiction.
Within two to four weeks, tolerance can develop to the sedative effect of
minor tranquilizers taken at night for sleep."
From
Toxic Psychiatry by Peter R. Breggin To read a more extensive
quotation from Peter Breggin's book,
click here.
For extensive advice on withdrawal from Xanax, Alprazolam,
click
here.
Some of the questions that people have asked about Xanax, Alprazolam, and
to which I have tried to provide answers are:
What is Xanax (generic name Alprazolam)? Xanax is
manufactured by Pharmacia/Upjohn (for
a corporate profile of Pharmacia/Upjohn, click here)has the generic name
of Alprazolam.
Xanax contains alprazolam which is a triazolo analog of the 1,4
benzodiazepine class of central nervous system-active compounds. The
chemical name of alprazolam is 8-Chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-s-triazolo
[4,3-a] [1,4] benzodiazepine. It is a
white crystalline powder, which is soluble in methanol or ethanol but which
has no appreciable solubility
in water at physiological pH. Tablet, for
oral administration, contains
0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg of alprazolam. The 2 mg tablets are multi scored and
may be divided. Inactive ingredients include Cellulose, corn
starch, docusate
sodium, lactose, magnesium
stearate, silicon dioxide and
sodium benzoate. In addition, the 0.5 mg
tablet contains FD&C Yellow No.
6 and the 1 mg tablet contains
FD&C Blue No. 2. Source:
Alprazolam.
When is Xanx recommended by doctors? Xanax is
recommended for the following:
"Anxiety disorders and transient symptoms of anxiety:
Treatment for patients with
anxiety should be initiated
with a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg given three times daily. The dose may be
increased to achieve a maximum therapeutic effect, at intervals of 3 to 4
days, to a maximum daily dose
of 4 mg, given in divided doses. The lowest possible effective dose should
be employed and the need for continued
treatment reassessed
frequently. The risk of
dependence may increase with dose and duration of treatment."
Source:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_ids.htm#D
"Panic disorder: The successful
treatment of many panic
disorder patients has required the use of XANAX at doses greater than 4 mg
daily. In controlled trials conducted to establish the
efficacy of XANAX in panic
disorder, doses in the range of 1 to 10 mg daily were used. The
mean dosage employed was
approximately 5 to 6 mg daily. Among the approximately 1700 patients
participating in the panic disorder development program, about 300 received
XANAX in dosages of greater than 7 mg/day, including approximately 100
patients who received maximum
dosages of greater than 9 mg/day. Occasional patients required as much as 10
mg a day to achieve a successful response". Source:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_ids.htm#D
Xanax is also "Usually prescribed to treat anxiety and nervousness,
relax muscle tension, control certain types of muscle spasm, and treat less
severe sleep problems. Generally recommended for short-term use only."
Source:
http://www.straightfacts.com/wwwpages/xanax.htm
Is Xanax, (Alprazolam) addictive? "Xanax, (Alprazolam)
... definitely causes addiction without being mixed with other sedatives.
Steinberg estimates that one in ten patients receiving Xanax, Alprazolam
will become addicted. * (Based on an estimated fifteen million people
receiving Xanax, Alprazolam each year in the United States, Steinberg
concludes that 1.5 million Xanax, Alprazolam
addicts are produced each year.)"
From
Toxic Psychiatry by Peter R. Breggin "The number of drugs
available for treatment of psychiatric disease has increased exponentially,
as has the number of pharmacological categories ascribed to them.
Perhaps the most dangerous are those which temporarily allay anxiety and
phobias (benzodiazepines and their congeners.) For instance,
alprazolam (Xanax) is one of the most popular drugs, and coincidentally the
greatest financial earner for the UpJohn Pharmaceutical Company.
This drug clearly has an important addictive property.
Incidentally, the same company, UpJohn, received notoriety by promoting
Halcion, a sedative, later removed from the American market. It is important
to note that the phenomenon of the introduction of new miracle cures, which
later prove addictive, and which are replaced by new miracle cures, has gone
on since 1890 when morphine was touted by the proto- psychiatrists of the
last Century as a cure for anxiety, and in fact as a cure for addictive
problems." Source:
http://www.morethanconquerors.simplenet.com/MCF/dorman.htm#Pharmacology
Should children take Xanax?
What are the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal? The symptoms
of withdrawal are,A "heightened sensory perception, impaired
concentration, dysosmia,
clouded sensorium, paresthesias, muscle cramps,
muscle twitch,
diarrhea, blurred vision,
appetite decrease and weight loss. Other symptoms, such as
anxiety and
insomnia, were frequently
seen during discontinuation, but it could not be determined if they were due
to return of illness, rebound or withdrawal." Source:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_wcp.htm This source also
carries a list of the percentages of people in a study concerning the
discontinuance of Xanax's and experential difficulties: "Insomnia 29.5(%),
Nausea Vomiting 16.5, Light headedness 19.3, Diarrhea 13.6, Abnormal
involuntary Decreased
salivation 10.6, movement 17.3, Headache 17.0, Metabolic Nutritional
Muscular twitching 6.9, Weight loss 13.3, Impaired coordination 6.6,
Decreased appetite 12.8, Muscle tone disorders 5.9, Weakness 5.8,
Dermatological Psychiatric Sweating 14.4, Anxiety 19.2, Fatigue and
Tiredness 18.4, Cardiovascular Irritability 10.5, Tachycardia 12.2,
Cognitive disorder 10.3, Memory
impairment 5.5, Special Senses Depression 5.1, Blurred vision 10.0,
Confusional state 5.0.
Is Xanax, Alprazolam appropriate for multi-year use?
Xanax is "Generally recommended for short-term use only."
Source:
http://www.straightfacts.com/wwwpages/xanax.htm A December 1996
"SUMMARY OF SAFETY-RELATED DRUG LABELING CHANGES APPROVED BY FDA" noted that
the basic warnings about Xanax would define "long periods (of taking the
drug) ... as more than 12 weeks." Source:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/label/dec96.htm#xanax For a more
poignant first hand account of a boy on long term Xanax treatment
click here. It's a page written by the father of a boy "Sean (who)
killed himself (in 1997) after being prescribed Xanax for years for Panic
Disorder with Agoraphobia. I've learned since, that because this drug is
addictive, it should not be prescribed for more more than 3 or 4 months."
Can Xanax, Alprazolam users become violent? Xanax,
Alprazolam can cause, "Disinhibition and other
behavioral aberrations-- including extreme agitation, psychosis, paranoia,
and depression, sometimes with violence toward self or others" Source:
http://www.breggin.com/bzbkexcerpt.html "The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) tallied the number of hostile acts reported in
association with 329 prescription drugs, and Halcion came out at the top of
the list, followed by Xanax, another Upjohn medication. One Halcion user,
Ilo Grundberg of Utah, was cleared of murder charges in 1989 when a Utah
state judge ruled that she was "involuntarily intoxicated" on Halcion when
she became violent and shot and killed her 82-year-old mother in 1988. Later
in 1989, Grundberg filed a civil suit for $21 million against Upjohn,
alleging that the company's negligence caused her mother's death. Upjohn
settled the case with Grundberg in August 1991 for an undisclosed amount. "
Source:
http://www.essential.org/monitor/hyper/issues/1991/11/mm1191_11.html
Will prolonged Xanax (Alprazolam) use destroy mental capacity and
the ability to remember? In one study, Cognitive
disorders were reported by 10.3% of those discontinuing Xanax and Memory
impairment was reported by
5.5%. Source:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_wcp.htm
Did Upjohn get sued about Xanax, Alprazolam? What were the
results of the suit? Upjohn has been sued about Xanax. For more
details, click here.
Is there a simple way to buy Xanax (Alprazolam) medicine?
You can buy Xanax (and other prescription drugs) online
by clicking here.
Aside from Xanax, Alprazolam addictive problems, does Xanax, Alprazolam
do any damage to the human body?
What are the side effects of taking Xanax, Alprazolam? How do
Xanax patients behave?
"The benzodiazepines (BZs) have for several decades
been recognized in the literature and clinical practice for their capacity
to cause mental and behavioral abnormalities. Xanax, Alprazolam (alprazolam),
and to an even greater extent, Halcion (triazolam), have a significantly
different profile from other benzodiazepines due to their greater capacity
to bind to receptors and their shorter half-life. Halcion's very short
half-life led to the hope that it would make a particularly good sleeping
medication but it has proven especially dangerous.
The brain-disabling or toxic effects of the Bzs in
general can be divided into several somewhat overlapping categories:
(1) The primary clinical effect of inducing sedation
(tranquility) or hypnosis (sleep), which is indistinguishable from a toxic
effect except in degree;
(2) Cognitive dysfunction, ranging from short-term
memory impairment and confusion to delirium;
(3) Disinhibition and other behavioral aberrations--
including extreme agitation, psychosis, paranoia, and depression, sometimes
with violence toward self or others;
(4) Withdrawal, in which the individual experiences a
continuum of symptoms from anxiety and insomnia after routine use to
psychosis and seizures after the abrupt termination of long-term, larger
doses;
(5) Rebound, an aspect of withdrawal, in which the
individual develops anxiety, insomnia, or other serious emotional reactions
that are more intense than before drug treatment began. Withdrawal can take
place between doses during the routine administration of Bzs, especially the
short-acting ones.
(6) Habituation and addiction, along a continuum from
feeling dependent on the drug to compulsively organizing one's behavior in a
self-destructive manner around obtaining large amounts of the agent."
Source:
http://www.breggin.com/bzbkexcerpt.html
For more clinical
information on behavioral issues click here.
Does Xanax, Alprazolam affect sleep patterns?
The primary clinical effect of (Xanax, Alprazolam) is
inducing sedation (tranquility) or hypnosis (sleep), which is
indistinguishable from a toxic effect except in degree; Source:
http://www.breggin.com/bzbkexcerpt.html
Is there a relationship being traffic accidents and people taking
Xanax (Alprazolam)? "Clinically all benzodiazepines cause a
dose-related central nervous system depressant activity varying from mild
impairment of task
performance to hypnosis." Source:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_cp.htm "Because of its
CNS depressant effect, patients receiving alprazolam should be
cautioned not to undertake activities requiring mental alertness, judgment
and physical coordination such as driving or operating machinery.
This is particularly true in the early phases of dose adjustment, and until
it has been established that they do not become drowsy or dizzy while taking
alprazolam. Alcohol or CNS depressant drugs should not be ingested during
treatment with alprazolam." Source:
http://www.bionutrix.com/monographs/xanax.html
"Xanax is a remarkably safe medicine
except for two things: overdosing on it can be extremely hazardous
to driving safety." Source:
http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html
What medicines cannot be taken with Xanax?
Buspar? Valium? Heart medications? Doctors do
seem to prescribe Buspar along with Xanax. Source:
http://www.druginfonet.com/faq/faqxana.htm. Also, Valium seems to be
co-prescribed. Here's what one medical person wrote, "Xanax belongs to
the family of drugs called benzodiazepines. These include valium, librium,
etc. The side effects are generally sedation or reduced agitation. We use
the combination of an SRI (like zoloft) with these drugs all the time,
particularly in agitated depression with no major problems other than
occasional over-sedation(sleepy only). I'd use the Xanax and enjoy the trip.
It usually works well. Don’t consume any alcohol with this however."
Source:
http://www.druginfonet.com/faq/faqxana.htm
Is Xanax, Alprazolam recommended for chest pains?
Can Klonopin reduce the symptoms of Xanax (Alprazolam) withdrawal?
Klonopin and Xanax are very similar in effect, level of sedation and dosage
would be the significant variables. Usually we use one or the other not
both, but it is ok to mix the two. Source:.http://www.druginfonet.com/faq/faqklon.htm
What's the easiest way to kick Xanax, Alprazolam addiction?
The recommendation, approved by the FDA and offerred by Upjohn is "It is
suggested that the dose be reduced by no more than 0.5 mg every three days,
with the understanding that some patients may benefit from an even more
gradual discontinuation." Source:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/label/dec96.htm#xanax Dr. Steve
feels he has had success with getting people off Xanax. To learn more,
click here.
How long does Xanax, Alprazolam stay in a persons system after
discontinued use? How long after the last dose will it show on a
urine drug test? Are blood tests on Xanax, Alprazolam reliable? Do other
medicines cause false readings on Xanax, Alprazolam blood tests? "Depending
on other drugs you are taking, (Xanax should clear your system in) from
24-36 hours. It can be detected in a urine test for up to a week or so
depending on the test." Source:
http://www.druginfonet.com/faq/faqxana.htm
Should Xanax, Alprazolam be taken when other conditions are present, for
example hepatitis C?
What happens if my doctor has had me on Xanax, Alprazolam for
approximately 5-6 years, and then decides he wants me to stop, for his own
protection? You will likely have "Certain adverse
clinical events, some
life-threatening are a direct consequence of physical
dependence to XANAX. These
include a spectrum of withdrawal symptoms; the most important is
seizure (see
PRECAUTIONS,
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). Even after relatively short-term use at the
doses recommended for the
treatment of transient anxiety
and anxiety disorder (ie, 0.75 to 4.0 mg per day) there is some risk of
dependence. Spontaneous reporting system data suggest that the risk of
dependence and its severity
appear to be greater in patients treated with doses greater than 4 mg/day
and for long periods (more than 12 weeks)." Source page
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_wcp.htm In addition, you
should ask your doctor to follow the FDA approved Upjohn statement that
"It is suggested that the dose be reduced by no more than 0.5 mg every three
days, with the understanding that some patients may benefit from an even
more gradual discontinuation." Source:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/label/dec96.htm#xanax
"Sudden or rapid stopping Xanax at daily
doses of 4 mg or more can cause moderate to severe withdrawal and, in very
rare instances, a convulsion could occur." Source:
http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html
What is the difference between Xanax (Alprazolam) and Ativan. Is it in
any way detrimental to go from Xanax, Alprazolam right on to Ativan?
Alprazolam is simply the generic name for Xanax. Ativan is another
Is it possible to buy Xanax, Alprazolam outside of the USA? What
is the likely quality of such purchases? Will I need a prescription to buy
outside the USA? A question like this is a sad reflection on
America's politicians and there willingness to be bought by pharmeceutical
companies. "The possibility of predatory pricing of pharmaceuticals,
while virtually unmentioned in the case law warrants discussion due to its
relative ease to accomplish. Legal rules currently do not sufficiently
discourage predatory pricing of prescription drugs." Source:
http://www.lectlaw.com/files/ant07.htm In 1998, "Pharmacia &
Upjohn, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Abbott Laboratories and Hoechst Marion Roussel
settle(d) class-action suit by agreeing to pay $342 mil and modifying
(their) pricing policies." Source:
http://hoovers.transium.com/hoovers.html?ticker=PNU&id=11570&q=&qi=%2bkco%3a%22Pharmacia%20%26%20Upjohn%22&page=6&r=1.tbusref.R02258754&stag=%2da
It is possible for poor people to get some help from certain drug
manufacturers, including Upjohn. To learn more,
click
here. For Upjohn's specific policy on Xanax for poorer people,
click
here. You may also be able to learn
"How to Buy Almost Any Drug Legally Without a
Prescription" from lower cost countries.
What is the relationship between ALS and Xanax, (Alprazolam)?
Should pregnant women use Xanax (Alprazolam)? "The
safety of the use of alprazolam in pregnancy has not been established.
Therefore alprazolam is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
| Several studies have suggested an increased risk of congenital
malformations associated with the use of benzodiazepines during the
first trimester of pregnancy. Since alprazolam is also a benzodiazepine
derivative, the administration of alprazolam is rarely justified in
women of childbearing potential. Women of childbearing potential should
be warned to consult their physician regarding the discontinuation of
the drug if they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. |
| |
| |
| It should be considered that the child born of a mother who is
receiving benzodiazepines may be at some risk for withdrawal symptoms
from the drug during the postnatal period. Also, neonatal flaccidity and
respiratory problems have been reported in children born of mothers who
have been receiving benzodiazepines." |
| |
Source:
http://www.bionutrix.com/monographs/xanax.html
Click here for a general online discussion of panic anxiety.
How does Xanax impact elderly patients? "Elderly
and debilitated patients have been found to be prone to the CNS depressant
activity of benzodiazepines, even after low doses. Manifestations of this
CNS depressant activity include ataxia, oversedation and hypotension.
Therefore, medication should be administered with caution to these patients,
particularly if a drop in blood pressure might lead to cardiac
complications. Initial doses should be low and increments should be made
gradually, depending on the response of the patient, in order to avoid
oversedation, neurological impairment and other possible adverse reactions."
Source:
http://www.bionutrix.com/monographs/xanax.html
What doctors are familiar with Xanax issues? One I
refer to a lot on these pages is
Dr. Breggin.
Are their alternate anti-anxiety medications?
Benzodiazepines (like Xanax) are not
the only drug treatments for anxiety. Anxiety
is a feeling of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear that seems to arise from
an unknown source or is out of proportion to any apparent cause.
"Other (non-benzodiazepine) drugs used to
treat anxiety include buspirone (BuSpar®),
which is the first of a new group whose effects seem to be mediated by
serotonin-1A receptors, although it's possible that other receptors could
also be involved. This, and similar drugs in this group (called azapirones),
cause less sedation than the benzodiazepines, and do not have muscle
relaxant or anticonvulsant effects. Side effects are minimal, and dependence
seems less likely than with the benzodiazepines. This is definitely one
group of new drugs to watch. So far, they look good! Hydroxyzine (Atarax®,
Vistaril®), which is an antihistamine, is also occasionally used for anxiety
and sedation, especially before dental procedures."
For the source of this and a further discussion of this and drugs that can
treat it,
click here.
And
now, it's time for a short commercial
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
