Alplax®

Alprazolam is available under a number of trade names that include Niravam, Xanax, Xanor and Alplax.

Alplax is not known to be officially marketed in the United States, as it is mainly distributed in South America. Anyway, Alplax contains the same active ingredient, Alprazolam, as the famous Xanax although there have been reports that Alplax is a weaker version of Xanax. That is, Alprazolam formula has been lighted in Alplax to make the effects of the medication milder.

Nevertheless, Alplax (Alprazolam) is the same short-acting benzodiazepine used for treatment of moderate to severe panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression.

Some people take Alprazolam (Xanax, Alplax) to reach the state of relaxation and disinhibition and may get rapidly addicted to the drug. Due to the fact that Alprazolam has a high potential for abuse, in the USA, Alprazolam (Xanax) is listed by the FDA as a schedule IV controlled substance. The United Nations place Xanax among psychotropic substances. In the UK, Xanax is classified as a Class C drug.

The fact has to be taken into account by those patients who use Alplax instead of Xanax, too.

Both versions of Alprazolam has so much in common that, in fact, anything said about Xanax can be applied to Alplax, including effects, risks, and symptoms of withdrawal, although there have reports that 1) Alplax has less side effects than Xanax, and 2) Alplax is more effective than Xanax in cases of less severe cases of depression (still, the information has to be proved).

But like Xanax, Alplax (Alprazolam) should be discontinued very slowly over a prolonged period of time after having been taken regularly for any length of time. Abrupt Alplax cessation may cause heavy withdrawal syndrome. And even after gradual dose reduction, withdrawal-related seizures can be fatal.

Alplax is not advisable for more than eight weeks of usage because the medication is habit-forming and its efficacy is not proved after that period of time - the body becomes quickly tolerant to the drug's effects with the increasing risk of heavier withdrawal symptoms (especially when doses of more than 4 mg per day are taken on a regular basis).

In doses of 0.5 mg or more Alplax may cause an increased feeling of sleepiness and impair reactions. You should avoid driving a car, operating machinery or performing any hazardous tasks when taking the drug.