Xanax

In English-speaking countries, Xanax is perhaps the most widely known name for the benzodiazepine called Alprazolam. The medication is produced by a number of manufacturers (e.g., see Xanax Mylan A4 Pill or Sandoz GG 256 Pill) and the apperance of the pills and packaging vary.

Common misspellings of the medication include: Xanex, Xannax, Zanax and Zanex.

Usually Xanax tablets come in the doses of 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg and 2mg. Also, an extended-release formulation of Xanax (Xanax XR) is known as 2mg and 3mg tablets.

By its effects, the 0.5mg dose of Xanax (Alprazolam) is approximately equal to 0.5 mg of Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril), 1 mg of Lorazepam (Ativan) or 10 mg of Diazepam (Valium), which are of the benzodiazepine family, too. But Lorazepam and Diazepam are considered to produce less severe withdrawal symptoms than Xanax.

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

Xanax 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 Xanax 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.

Xanax has the potential for abuse. Some people take it to reach the state of relaxation and disinhibition and may get rapidly addicted to the drug. That makes Xanax a prescription-only drug in the United States, and in the UK it is classified as a Class C drug. The United Nations place Xanax among psychotropic substances (Schedule IV).