Michael BoveePatients suffering from panic attacks have found it necessary to take an anti-anxiety drug known as Xanax.
This medication has been approved by the FDA as an effective treatment for panic attacks, but should not be taken without consulting a doctor. In fact, the most common side effects of Xanax are insomnia, fatigue and nausea.
Xanax is one of several anti-anxiety drugs that are being used for the treatment of panic attacks. Treatment for many patients with anxiety needs to begin with a prescription of low to moderate doses of 0.5 to 1 mg of Xanax given two or three times a day. Treatment of some panic disorders, especially those that occur in the elderly, has often required the use of higher doses of Xanax in the form of pills. The use of this medication has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder.
Because Xanax affects serotonin levels, it is usually taken for the treatment of minor anxiety disorders, not panic attacks. However, since the medication’s effect on serotonin levels can be so pronounced, it is often prescribed for panic attack patients in order to help control their attacks.
Because anti-anxiety drugs can be habit forming, it is important that they are taken under the supervision of a physician and not taken in combination with other medications such as sedatives or muscle relaxants. Most patients have to stop taking the drugs if they suffer from another type of illness before they can resume taking them.
While the majority of Xanax side effects are mild, there are also some that are quite severe. These include hallucinations, delusions, difficulty breathing, seizures, convulsions and suicidal thoughts.
If these symptoms do appear, it is important to contact a physician and have the problem evaluated immediately. Because the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal can be similar to those of withdrawal from alcohol, patients who experience withdrawal from the drug should also consult a physician before trying to quit. This is because withdrawal from Xanax can cause the same effects of alcohol withdrawal, including headaches, dizziness, nervousness, irritability, nausea, drowsiness and memory loss.
In some cases, patients have had to stop taking the drugs altogether because of the severe side effects. The effects may be life threatening if patients stop taking the medications without the proper care and supervision of a medical professional. In some cases, patients have even had to give up work or the ability to drive because they were having too much trouble breathing, sweating too hard, losing consciousness and falling asleep.
Since the Xanax side effects can be potentially life threatening, patients should make sure that they are aware of the possible risks and take them seriously before starting any treatment for their anxiety or panic attacks. A physician will be able to explain the pros and cons of the drug and its possible side effects to patients to help them make the best choice when choosing the appropriate treatment for them.
For patients who suffer from panic disorder and anxiety, the side effects of Xanax can be particularly disturbing. Patients should remember that these side effects do not necessarily mean that the drug is ineffective or unsafe, but that there are a variety of other options available.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often prescribed to help patients cope with panic disorder by teaching them techniques to prevent panic attacks. The goal of this therapy is to teach the patient how to recognize and overcome panic attacks so that they can be reduced and eventually eliminated.
In addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, patients who have already taken Xanax or are being treated may choose to take prescribed antidepressants. In most cases, doctors will usually wait several weeks or months between their first dose of medication and their second one.
Sometimes, Xanax overdose is a possibility for some anxiety or panic attack sufferers. For these patients, it is important that they realize that it is possible to take additional doses without risking their health and safety. The doses can be increased gradually until the drugs no longer have an effect and then stopped completely.