XANAX is a brand name for Alprazolam, supplied as a tablet. The medicine, its uses, side effects and dosage are the same regardless of brand.
Used for: AND CLINICAL USE ..............................................................................4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ...................................................................................................5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS…
Verbatim from this product's HC label. Tap a section to expand.
Serious Warnings and Precautions Addiction, Abuse and Misuse The use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX and XANAX TS, can lead to abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. Abuse and misuse can result in overdose or death, especially when benzodiazepines are combined with other medicines, such as opioids, alcohol or illicit drugs.
• Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing XANAX and XANAX TS • Monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviours or conditions. • XANAX and XANAX TS should be stored securely to avoid theft or misuse. Withdrawal Benzodiazepines, like XANAX and XANAX TS, can produce severe or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
• Avoid abrupt discontinuation or rapid dose reduction of XANAX and XANAX TS. • Terminate treatment with XANAX and XANAX TS by gradually tapering the dosage schedule under close monitoring. (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Dependence/Tolerance) Risks from Concomitant use with Opioids Concomitant use of XANAX and XANAX TS and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, General, Concomitant use with opioids).
• Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. • Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. • Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.
General XANAX and XANAX TS (alprazolam) are not effective in patients with Personality Disorders. XANAX and XANAX TS are not recommended for the management of Mood or Psychotic Disorders.
Concomitant use with opioids:
Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX and XANAX TS, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible (see SERIOUS WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS BOX, Risks from Concomitant use with Opioids; DRUG INTERACTIONS, Serious Drug Interactions).
XANAX and XANAX TS (alprazolam) – Product Monograph Page 7 of 41 Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioid analgesics alone.
Not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and follow your prescriber or pharmacist.
Other brands of Alprazolam in Canada.
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Brand names are compiled from public regulatory records for active-ingredient mapping only. Drugvu is not affiliated with any manufacturer. This is not medical advice.
Because of similar pharmacological properties, it is reasonable to expect similar risk with the concomitant use of other CNS depressant drugs with benzodiazepines. If a decision is made to prescribe XANAX and XANAX TS concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use.
In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of XANAX and XANAX TS than indicated, and titrate based on clinical response. If an opioid analgesic is initiated in a patient already taking XANAX and XANAX TS, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid analgesic, and titrate based on clinical response.
Follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation (see OVERDOSAGE). Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when XANAX and XANAX TS are used with opioids.
Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use of the opioid have been determined. Dependence/Tolerance Use of benzodiazepines, such as XANAX and XANAX TS, can lead to abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence (including tolerance) and withdrawal reactions.
Abuse and misuse can result in overdose or death, especially when benzodiazepines are combined with other medicines, such as opioids, alcohol, or illicit drugs. The risk of dependence increases with higher doses and longer term use but can occur with short- term use at recommended therapeutic doses.
The risk of dependence is greater in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders and/or substance (including alcohol) use disorder. • Discuss the risks of treatment with XANAX and XANAX TS with the patient, considering alternative (including non-drug) treatment options.
• Carefully evaluate each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse and addiction, considering their medical condition and concomitant drug use, prior to prescribing XANAX and XANAX TS. In individuals prone to substance use disorder, XANAX and XANAX TS should only be administered if deemed medically necessary, employing extreme caution and close supervision.
• XANAX and XANAX TS should always be prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. • All patients receiving benzodiazepines should be routinely monitored for signs and symptoms of misuse and abuse. If a substance use disorder is suspected, evaluate the patient and refer them for substance abuse treatment, as appropriate.
, seizures) if benzodiazepines are suddenly discontinued or upon rapid dose decrease (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Recommended Dose and Dosage Adjustment - Discontinuation). 0 mg per day), there is some risk of dependence, as withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, have been reported.
Post-marketing surveillance data suggest that the risk of dependence and its severity appear to be greater in patients treated with relatively high doses (above 4 mg per day) and for long periods (more than 8-12 weeks). Withdrawal Benzodiazepines, such as XANAX and XANAX TS, can produce withdrawal signs and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe and even life threatening, following abrupt discontinuation or rapid dose reduction.
Other factors that may […]