Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription benzodiazepine specially designed for the treatment of such health problems as panic attacks and anxiety disorders. It’s up to your health care provider to decide whether Xanax can be used for the condition you have been diagnosed with. Being allergic to alprazolam is a contraindication for using this medicine. A history of an allergic reaction to any of the following drugs may also prevent you from safely taking Xanax: clorazepate, triazolam, clonazepam, halazepam, chlordiazepoxide, temazepam, lorazepam, flurazepam, estazolam, prazepam, quazepam, oxazepam, and diazepam. Some drugs you are taking may interfere with the efficiency of your treatment making Xanax less efficient or altering its effects. You need to tell your health care provider if you are currently using any of the following medications: erythromycin, oral contraceptives, isoniazid, seizure medications, sedatives, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cimetidine, antidepressants, antifungals, propoxyphene, sertraline, nifedipine, antihistamines, sleeping pills, diltiazem, medications for mental illness, nicardipine, cyclosporine, clarithromycin, tranquilizers, amiodarone, and ergotamine. Any other prescription and over-the-counter medications are also supposed to be reported. A number of mild and more serious side effects have been reported by patients using Xanax. While mild side effects (difficulty urinating, changes in appetite, drowsiness, dizziness, increased salivation, light-headedness, changes in sex drive, tiredness, dry mouth, weight changes, talkativeness, and irritability) are not expected to last for too long and in most cases go away on their own, more serious side effects have to be reported directly to the doctor that prescribed this drug. Such serious side effects as seizures, yellowing of the skin or eyes, memory problems, hallucinations, confusion, severe skin rash, and problems with coordination can get worse with time if they are not treated properly. You may even need to stop your treatment for these serious side effects to go away. Get emergency medical help if you have any symptoms of an overdose after taking too much of Xanax – either intentionally or by accident. Such symptoms as problems with coordination, drowsiness, coma, and confusion clearly indicate an overdose.
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