My sister has been on alprazolam for quite some time, she has since been without it for about 2 months, due to a doctor shortage her, as her doctor is no longer practicing. She seems to think that this medication helps her to stop her mind and rest it, apparently she's been told it's a controlled substance, and any doctor or hospital she has visited has refused to re-new her medication. What is really the situation here? Can being off this medication be causing such manic episodes that she has been experiencing lately? I am very concerned!
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Q: I need info on a medication called alprazolam?
Answers (2)
7/28/08 9:00pm
Hi Donna; Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, in other words, a tranquilizer. It is the generic name for the prescription medication Xanax. You may have heard of Valium or Librium, and this medication works in a similar fashion. You can read more about alprazolam here. This can be obtained by a prescription only.
I hope this helps,
Dr. Diana Walcutt
*Dr. Walcutt is a Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists prescribe medications. Psychologists study them, but the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe meds or give you specific advice about them. Dr. Walcutt's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.
7/28/08 9:47pm
Donna - I am not a physician but have worked with lots of clients who take alprazolam (aka: Xanax). Xanax is a very effective antianxiety medication but people who have been taking it for some time can become physically dependent on it. Just how much of a problem this will be will depend on the dose, how often it's taken, how long its been taken, and what other medications or drugs are also being taken. When the medication is stopped all of a sudden their body will feel very uncomfortable and they can go through withdrawal symptoms. You should help your sister find a psychiatrist as soon as possible if she has been very unstable since stopping the medication. Fortunately, she is probably through the worst of the physical withdrawal if it has really been 2 months since she last took it. Good luck. Your sister is lucky that you are looking out for her.
Rick Wirtz
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