Alprazolam for sleep: dosage, how to take it and side effects

  • Jul 26, 2021
click fraud protection
Alprazolam for sleep: dosage, how to take it and side effects

Spain is the first country in the world in the index of consumption of benzodiazepines per 1000 inhabitants. Most of us know what it's about when we hear names like Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam (Trankimazin), Lorazepam (Orfidal), among others. In Spain, there is frequently overmedicalization in problems of anxiety, insomnia or depression. In this article we will talk about Alprazolam. Are you interested in knowing what it is about? Find out in this Psychology-Online article which will delve into the Alprazolam for sleep: what it is, dosage, how to take it and side effects.

You may also like: Lorazepam for sleep: what it is for, dosage and side effects

Index

  1. What is Alprazolam and what is it for
  2. Alprazolam dosage needed for sleep
  3. How to take Alprazolam
  4. Alprazolam side effects

What is Alprazolam and what is it for?

The Alprazolam, also known as Trankimazinor Xanax, is one of the most prescribed psychotropic drugs in our country for the treatment of anxiety or insomnia problems. Therefore, if you wonder if Alprazolam pills are for sleeping, the answer is yes. It is an anxiolytic from the group of benzodiazepines. In this article we talk about

types of benzodiazepines.

This anxiolytic has properties hypnotic, muscle relaxants and highly active in anxiety attacks, since its mechanism of action is intermediate. This means that it acts quickly and has a life of 12 hours in our body. If your question is how long the effect of Alprazolam lasts, this would be the time.

Alprazolam dose needed to sleep.

The dose will depend on the needs of the subject, therefore, the psychiatrist will have to adapt the treatment on an individual basis based on the severity of symptoms and the response of the individual.

  • In patients with anxiety disorders, they are often prescribed between 0.25 and 0.5 mg three times a day.
  • For the elderly, this dose frequently ranges from 0.25 mg twice a day.
  • In patients with panic disorder, the starting dose is 0.5mg to 1mg before sleeping or 0.5mg administered 3 times a day.
  • In all cases, the professional can increase the medication depending on the needs of the individual, but the recommended dose it should not exceed 4mg per day in divided doses.

How to take Alprazolam.

Alprazolam is indicated for Panic disorder and for him Generalized anxiety disorder. Although it is currently a widely prescribed drug for subjects with impaired insomnia.

This drug is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, alcohol intoxication acute, epilepsy, history of seizures, cerebral edema, liver or kidney dysfunction, among others. Its use is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy, nor during lactation. Here you will find What to take for nerves in pregnancy.

It is also important to note that this anxiolytic increases depressant effects of phenothiazines, opioids, barbiturates, alcohol, tricyclic antidepressants, general anesthetics, oral contraceptives, antihistamines, clozapine, disulfiram, among others.

General recommendations on the use of anxiolytics and hypnotics include andl risk of producing dependence, advising its use in a restricted way, with the lowest possible dose and for a short time. Also, to avoid withdrawal symptoms, the gradual withdrawal of the drug is advised. In cases where the administration is stopped suddenly, it is probable that the Abstinence syndrome, which is characterized by:

  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Muscle spasms or aches
  • Shaking and instability
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Concentration difficulty
  • Hypersitivity to stimuli
  • Nausea and loss of appetite
  • Seizures (in cases of severe dependency)

Alprazolam side effects.

The most important side effects of this drug are the dependency and tolerance that this causes. Although there are usually more consequences. Let's see which ones there are:

  • Drowsiness, fatigue, weakness, confusion, nystagmus, headache, dizziness and dysarthria.
  • Decreased coordination movements and depending on the ataxia dose.
  • Anterograde amnesia, reduced intellectual capacity and concentration. Confusion and disorientation, especially in older people.
  • Main impact on verbal acquisition and retention processes.
  • Paradoxical reaction with agitation, insomnia, hallucinations, nightmares, euphoria, violent behavior and angry reactions.
  • Anticholinergic effects, such as blurred vision or dry mouth.
  • Sexual dysfunction with decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia, impaired ejaculation and sperm size and shape.
  • Respiratory depression in high doses and in people with respiratory disorders

Research indicates that side effects are more intense in children and the elderly. In addition, both in these and in people who have some type of brain injury, benzodiazepines can cause paradoxical agitation.

Finally, it should be mentioned that, as stated at the beginning of this article, sometimes drugs They are necessary, but in our country there is a great over-medication for anxiety and insomnia problems. The treatment of this drug should be as short as possible, being recommended not exceed 12 weeks (including drug withdrawal time).

Nowadays, studies indicate greater efficacy and efficiency of psychological therapy versus the pharmacological. Changes in behavior learned through cognitive behavioral therapy and sleep hygiene are the best treatment for persistent insomnia.

In this article, we talk about Trankimazin Side Effects.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Alprazolam for sleep: dosage, how to take it and side effects, we recommend that you enter our category of Psychopharmaceuticals.

Bibliography

  • Becerra-García, J. TO. "Cognitive effects of long-term use of alprazolam: the amnesic syndrome." Addictive disorders 13.2 (2011): 80-83.
  • Berlanga, C., Canetti, A., Chávez, E., De la Fuente, J. R., del Carmen Lara, M., León, C.,... & Sepúlveda, J. (1991). Pharmacological treatment of panic attacks. Comparative report of the efficacy and safety of alprazolam and imipramine in a controlled study. Mental health, 14(1), 1-5.
  • Dawson, G. W., Jue, S. G., & Brogden, R. N. (1984). Alprazolam. Drugs, 27(2), 132-147.
  • Ortiz, María Fe Bravo. Psychopharmacology for psychologists. Synthesis, 2008.
instagram viewer