Medication Pearl of the Day: Xanax (Alprazolam)

Indication: Xanax is a benzodiazepine indicated for the acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults.

Insight:

• Dosing: The recommended starting oral dosage for Xanax is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg taken 3 times daily.
• Dosage forms: Xanax tablets come in dosage forms at 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg.
• Adverse events (AEs): The most common AEs associated with the use of Xanax include impaired coordination, hypotension, dysarthria, and increased libido.
• Mechanism of action: Xanax is a 1,4 benzodiazepine. Xanax exerts its effect for the acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder through binding to the benzodiazepine site of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors in the brain and enhances GABAA-mediated synaptic inhibition.
• Manufacturer: Pfizer

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