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Xanax: Special Warnings and Interactions with
this anti anxiety medication
Xanax: When
should this anti anxiety medication not be prescribed?
 Xanax
should never be prescribed if you're sensitive to or have ever had an allergic
reaction to this anti anxiety drug or to other tranquilizers. You should also
avoid Xanax while taking the antifungal drug Sporanox or Nizoral, and you should
obviously make sure your doctor is aware if you have any drug reactions while on
this medication.
You should not take this
anti anxiety medication if you have been diagnosed with narrow-angle glaucoma,
which is an eye condition. You should also be aware that the anxiety and
tension related to every day stress usually does not require treatment with
drugs such as Xanax. You should always discuss your symptoms thoroughly with
your physician.
Special
warnings about Xanax:
Xanax has been known to
cause you to become drowsy or to have limited alertness; therefore, you should
have cautious concern when driving or operating dangerous machinery, or
participating in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness.
If you're currently being treated for such anxiety
disorders as panic disorder, you may need to take higher doses of Xanax than for
a more generalized form of anxiety. High doses-more than 4 mg a day-of this
anti anxiety medication have been known to cause emotional and physical
dependence if taken for long durations of time. It is important that your
doctor supervise you carefully when taking this drug. Also, it is important to
remember that withdrawal symptoms can and do occur when Xanax is stop suddenly.
Possible food
and drug interactions when taking this medication:
You should always be careful
when drinking alcohol while taking Xanax. This medication is known to intensify
the effect of alcohol. Also, you should never combine Xanax with Sporanox or
Nizoral. These medications are known to cause a build up of Xanax in the body.
When taken with certain
other medications, Xanax is known to increase, decrease or alter the effects of
some medications. You should always check with your doctor when combining Xanax
with the following medications:
-
Amiodarone
(Cordarone)
-
Antihistamines such as Benadryl and Tavist
-
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
-
Certain
antibiotics such as Biaxin and Erythromycin
-
Certain
antidepressant drugs, such as Elavil, Norpramin, and Tofranil
-
Cimetidine
(Tagamet)
-
Cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune)
-
Digoxin
(Lanoxin)
-
Diltiazem
(Cardizem)
-
Disulfiram
(Antabuse)
-
Ergotamine
-
Fluoxetine
(Prozac)
-
Fluvoxamine
(Luvox)
-
Grapefruit
Juice
-
Isoniazide
(Rifamate)
-
Major
tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
-
Nefazadone
(Serzone)
-
Nicardapine
(Cardene)
-
Nifedipine
(Adalat, Procardia)
-
Oral
contraceptives
-
Other
central nervous system depressants such as Valium and Demerol
-
Paroxetine
(Paxil)
-
Propoxyphene
(Darvon)
-
Sertraline
(Zoloft)
Information provided by
The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs - Sixth Edition
 Additional
Pictures of Xanax - Various dosages
Additional information By Paul Susic MA Licensed
Psychologist Ph.D Candidate
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