Xanax TS (Alprazolam) belongs to the class of medicines called benzodiazepines. It is used for the short-term symptomatic relief of excessive anxiety. It is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Xanax TS (Alprazolam) works by slowing down the brain (central nervous system).

Xanax TS (Alprazolam) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Xanax TS (Alprazolam) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Xanax TS (Alprazolam) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Xanax TS (Alprazolam) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Xanax TS (Alprazolam), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Xanax TS (Alprazolam) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Xanax TS (Alprazolam) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Xanax TS (Alprazolam) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose of Xanax TS (Alprazolam) for adults varies depending on its use. The starting dose for excessive anxiety is 0.25 mg taken 2 or 3 times a day. This is gradually increased until anxiety is controlled and side effects are minimized. Elderly patients may be started at a lower dose of 0.125 mg taken 2 or 3 times a day. The usual maximum dose is 3 mg daily.

The starting dose for panic attacks is 0.5 mg to 1 mg at bedtime or 0.5 mg taken 3 times daily. The dose is then gradually increased until there are no more panic attacks.

The dose is usually started low and increased if necessary, as prescribed by your doctor. It is important that the dose be individualized to your specific needs to avoid excessive sedation or motor impairment.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Xanax TS (Alprazolam) may be habit-forming when taken for long periods of time. If you have been taking Xanax TS (Alprazolam) regularly for a long period of time (i.e., more than one month), do not stop taking the medication without speaking with your doctor. A gradual reduction in dose is recommended when stopping Xanax TS (Alprazolam) to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

It is important to take Xanax TS (Alprazolam) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store at room temperature in a dry place and keep it out of reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Xanax TS (Alprazolam). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Xanax TS (Alprazolam) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Xanax TS (Alprazolam). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• blurred vision or other changes in vision
• changes in sexual desire or ability
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• Constipation
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• false sense of well-being
• increased appetite
• problems with urination
• unusual tiredness
• weight changes

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abnormal thinking (e.g., disorientation, delusions, or loss of sense of reality)
• agitation
• anxiety
• behaviour changes (e.g., aggressive behaviour, bizarre behaviour, decreased inhibition, or outbursts of anger)
• confusion
• increased risk of falls (particularly for seniors)
• loss of recent memory
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• slurred speech
• symptoms of mania (e.g., decreased need for sleep, elevated or irritable mood, racing thoughts)
• trouble sleeping

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with Fever or discomfort
• signs of increased pressure in the eyes (e.g., sudden severe eye pain, changes in side vision, decreased or cloudy vision, seeing halos around lights, swollen eyes)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Xanax TS (Alprazolam).

Xanax TS is available in white 2 mg triscored tablets (3 scores), with the number "U94" on one side. They can be broken into 4 equal parts of 0.5 mg each. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, Docusate Sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and silicon dioxide.

Do not take Xanax TS (Alprazolam) if you:

• are allergic to Xanax TS (Alprazolam) or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any other medications belonging to the benzodiazepine class
• have acute narrow-angle Glaucoma (Xanax TS (Alprazolam) may be used by people with open-angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate treatment)
• have Myasthenia Gravis
• have severe breathing problems
• have Sleep Apnea
• have severely reduced liver function
• are taking the medications ketoconazole or itraconazole

There may be an interaction between Xanax TS (Alprazolam) and any of the following:

• alcohol
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• antiseizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• Apalutamide
• Aprepitant
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, phenobarbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• Bosentan
• Bicalutamide
• birth control pills
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Deferasirox
• Dexamethasone
• dofetilide
• Dronedarone
• Entacapone
• Enzalutamide
• Flibanserin
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• grapefruit juice
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• kava kava
• Lomitapide
• lumacaftor
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin)
• magnesium sulfate
• melatonin
• Methadone
• mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Mitotane
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine, Tizanidine)
• Modafinil
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• Olopatadine
• Pramipexole
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• St. John's wort
• Sarilumab
• scopolamine
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• siltuximab
• sodium oxybate
• Stiripentol
• Tapentadol
• Tetracycline
• thalidomide
• Theophylline
• Tocilizumab
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Imipramine)
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Ceritinib, Crizotinib, Dabrafenib, Dasatinib, imatinib)
• valerian
• Yohimbine
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Xanax TS (Alprazolam). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.