Hi,
I went to my doctor to see if i should be taking my next shot of remicade. The blood work was not good, with elevated liver enzymes and ESR 26 and CRP 18.
She said i can do with a remicade shot now (based on whenever i am able to afford it) and then she prescribed me alprazolam 0.5 mg. Earlier she had prescribed me Trika. These, I understand, are anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicines and they are meant to work as relaxants for us (that's what the doctor indicated). Did she precribe me this because i exhibited concern over the pain in my right hip??
I tried to read about it on the internet and was actually scared of the long term effects such as dependency, clumsiness, loss of sense of balance (esp. while driving), rage, impotency, suicidal or destructive urges.... Now these are long term effects; short term effects are constipation, lethargy etc. It takes so much effort to get out of bed...
I was driving yesterday back from a small getaway, and i did kind of sped a lot (even over bad roads) and then the after thought hit me. I know it helps me with the immediate tightness with the muscles esp. while sleeping but i am concerned as to how long i should use it...
What are your thoughts, has this been prescribed to you, what are your experiences? My hip has suddenly started to behave better since i visited the hospital, i don't know why and i am thinking of deferring the remicade shot more for financial reasons but I am not too comfortable in knowing that this drug could actually change my psychological responses.
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Indications
Xanax 2 mg tri-score tablets (AU)
The main medical uses for alprazolam include:
Panic disorder
Alprazolam is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. Alprazolam is very effective in the short-term symptomatic relief of moderate to severe anxiety, essential tremor, and panic attacks. Physicians that elect to prescribe alprazolam for longer than 8 weeks should be aware that continued efficacy has not been systematically demonstrated beyond 8 weeks' use, as tolerance to alprazolam's effects may occur after 8 weeks and necessitate discontinuation or physician-directed dose escalation.[15] The physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.[16] Alprazolam is recommended for treatment resistant cases of panic disorder where there is no history of tolerance or dependence.[17]
[edit] Anxiety disorders
Alprazolam is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders (a condition corresponding most closely to the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual DSM-III-R diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder) or the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety.[16] Alprazolam is recommended for the short-term treatment (2–4 weeks) of severe acute anxiety.[18][19]
Alprazolam is sometimes prescribed for anxiety with associated depression. There is some evidence that it has antidepressant effects in treating clinical depression in outpatient settings; evidence for inpatients is lacking.[20] The antidepressant effects of alprazolam may be due to its effects on beta-adrenergic receptors.[21] Other benzodiazepines are not known to have antidepressant activity.[22][23] Studies show that any antidepressant action of alprazolam is questionable and generally weak in comparison to those of antidepressant medications.[24][25][26][27] In contrast, while alprazolam in acute or short-term treatment may have some antidepressant properties, there is evidence that up to a third of long-term users of alprazolam may develop depression.[28]
Side effects
Although the side-effect profile of alprazolam is, in general, benign, side-effects may occur in some patients and are more likely the higher the dosage taken. Some side-effects may disappear with continued treatment. If signs of an allergic reaction occur - such as hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat - medical attention should be sought immediately. Medical attention should also be sought immediately if signs of jaundice appear: yellowing of the skin or eyes. Other side-effects that may occur are as follows:
* drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, unsteadiness and impaired coordination, vertigo[29][30]
* skin rash, respiratory depression, constipation[29][30]
* disinhibition[31]
* suicidal ideation (rare)[32][33]
* urinary retention (infrequent)[34]
* hallucinations (rare)[35]
* ataxia, slurred speech[36]
* short-term memory loss and impairment of memory functions, particular the memory that the user experienced during the time of intoxication[37]
* anterograde amnesia[38] and concentration problems
* Change in libido[39]
* xerostomia (infrequent)[40]
* disorientation (when medicating in excess, such as to induce intoxication for recreational purposes)[41]
* increase in appetite[42]
* jaundice (very rare)[43]
Paradoxical reactions
Although unusual, if the following paradoxical reactions occur, the prescribing physician or other healthcare professional should be alerted and the medication gradually discontinued:
* Fasciculations and tremor[44]
* aggression[45]
* rage, hostility[31]
* mania, agitation, hyperactivity and restlessness[46]
