April Sparling

1. Alprazolam Niravam April Sparling

2. History • Created by: Upjohn Laboratories of Kalamazoo, Michigan in the early 70's. • The most common effective dose used is 0.25 mg three or four times per day. • Xanax addiction is one of the most common addictions to a drug that’s widely prescribed. http://www.pmmedia.com/Xanax.htm

3. Action • Belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines “the feel better drug” • Decreases abnormal excitement in the brain. • Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders for a short term. • Alprazolam is also sometimes used to treat depression, fear of open spaces (agoraphobia), and premenstrual syndrome. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000807/

4. What is a Panic Attack? • Unexpected episodes of intense fear These episodes may have physical symptoms that may include*: http://www.xanax.com/ • A panic attack seems to come out of nowhere—at times and in places where there is nothing to fear. You may think you're having a heart attack, dying, or even going crazy. But in reality, there is nothing wrong with your heart—or your sanity. • Approximately 6 million Americans aged 18 and older suffer from panic disorder in a given year. That's about 2.7% of the adult US population • What do you think could be the cause of a panic attack? racing heart sweating trembling shortness of breath feeling of choking chest pain or discomfort nausea or abdominal distress faintness or dizziness feelings of unreality fear of going crazy orlosing control fear of dying numbness or tingling chills or hot flushes

5. Psychological & Physiological effects • Creates a sense of relaxation and peace • Can help get past nervous, panicky or tense feelings • Slows down brain activity • Eases muscle tension

6. Rating • Its Schedule IV rating by The Controlled Substance Act means that it’s not high on the list of addictive substances, once perscribedxanax a addiction might be accidental. Symptoms of dependence to xanax include: • Symptoms of dependence - tolerance resulting in higher levels needed to achieve the same calming effect. • Symptoms of psychological dependence - needing the drug to function and being consumed with obtaining the drug. • Symptoms of withdrawal - restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, seizures, even death in some cases. http://www.homedrugtestingkit.com/xanax.html “Xanax Bars:” illegal drug sold on streets that is unaffiliated with alprazolam’s medical treatment. At high doses or when they are abused the legal and illegal Xanax can cause unconsciousness and death.

7. Side Effects • Only those who are susceptible to benzodiazepine can experience some side effects • Vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, constipation, forgetfulness, slurred speech and blurred vision. • Serious side effects a patient may experience: hallucinations, swelling, rash, problem with balance, depression and risk-taking behavior. http://www.rxlist.com/xanax-drug.htm

8. Works Cited • http://www.homedrugtestingkit.com/xanax.html • http://www.rxlist.com/xanax-drug.htm • http://www.xanax.com/ • http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000807/ • http://www.pmmedia.com/Xanax.htm