Netmeds First Membership
INTRODUCTION
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET contains Alprazolam, which belongs to the group of medicines called Anxiolytics. It is used in adults to treat generalized anxiety disorder (chronic feeling of anxiety or nervousness) and panic disease with or without agoraphobia (fear of locations and situations that might cause panic, helplessness or embarrassment). Panic disorder is a kind of anxiety disorder that causes sudden feelings of terror when there is no real danger.
Avoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET as it can increase the effects of this medicine. Patients, their families and caregivers are advised to look for signs of suicidality or worsening depression, and to inform the patient’s doctor immediately.
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver disease, myasthenia gravis, sleep apnea, and severe chest problems or breathing difficulties. Before taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have or had kidney, liver or lung problems, any mental illness, have ever abused any drugs or alcohol, or thought about taking your own life.
Ask your doctor for advice before taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET during pregnancy. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET. ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below the age of 18 years). ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patient.
The most common side effects of taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET are headaches, constipation, dry mouth, tiredness, irritability, depression, nausea, vomiting, etc. If any of your symptoms get worse or persist consult your doctor immediately.
USES OF ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET
It is used in adults to treat
- generalized anxiety disorder
- panic disorder with or without agoraphobia
HOW ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET WORKS
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET reduces anxiety and worry by affecting chemical activity in the brain to promote sleep.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine as a whole using a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the right dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.
SIDE EFFECTS OF ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET
COMMON
- depression
- sleepiness and drowsiness
- jerky, uncoordinated movements
- failure to remember bits of information
- slurred speech
- dizziness, light-headedness, headaches
- nausea, constipation, dry mouth, loss of appetite
- tiredness
- irritability
- change in weight
- confusion, disorientation
- enhanced sex drive (men and women) and sexual dysfunction
- nervousness or feeling anxious or agitated
- inability to sleep or disturbed sleep
- loss of alertness or concentration
- inability to stay awake, feeling sluggish
- double or blurred vision
- skin reactions
- balance problems and unsteadiness (similar to drunkenness) especially during the day
- shakiness or trembling
- hypotension (low blood pressure)
- dysarthria (difficulty saying words clearly)
UNCOMMON
- unusual behaviour
- perceiving things that are actually not present
- incontinence (lack of control over voluntary urination)
- cramping pain at the lower back and thighs
- muscle spasms or weakness
- drug dependence
- withdrawal syndrome
RARE
Stop taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET and contact your physician immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- memory loss (amnesia)
- jaundice (skin and whites of the eyes turns yellow)
- dependence or withdrawal syndromes (headaches, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, mood changes, trouble sleeping, irritability)
- feeling depressed or having thoughts of harming or killing yourself
- behavioural or psychiatric effects like agitation, restlessness, aggressiveness, irritability, violent anger, false beliefs, nightmares, perceptions of things that do not exist or other inappropriate behaviour
- sudden wheeziness, trouble swallowing or breathing, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea or vomiting:
Take ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET with or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily or spicy foods. If you still feel nauseous, contact your doctor.
Constipation:
Eat more fiber-rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals, and drink more water. Exercise more regularly. If you still feel constipated, contact your doctor.
Dry mouth:
Sip water regularly and other sugar free liquids. Do not use alcohol-containing mouthwashes because they can make your mouth dry, use the one that is used only for dry mouth. Limit your caffeine intake. Avoid smoking or using tobacco products. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not get better.
Loss of appetite:
Eat when you are hungry. Eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack only when you're hungry. Eat a protein-rich or other nutritious snack such as dried fruit and nuts. If appetite does not improve, contact your doctor.
Headache:
Avoid bright lights, take enough rest, and drink lots of water. Check with your doctor before taking any medicine for headache. If headache does not get better, consult your doctor.
Dizziness:
Lie down until dizziness is resolved, then get up slowly. Do not hurry and move slowly and carefully. Get adequate rest. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. If dizziness does not get better, consult your doctor.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in women who are pregnant, think they may be pregnant or are planning to get pregnant. Consult your doctor before taking it.
BREASTFEEDING
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET. Consult your doctor before taking it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or use machines while taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET as it can make you feel sleepy, dizzy or less focused.
ALCOHOL
Do not consume alcohol during treatment with ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET as alcohol increases the effects of this medicine. ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with a history of alcohol abuse. Consult your doctor before taking it.
KIDNEY
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.
LIVER
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver problems. ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients having any other liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.
ALLERGY
Do not take ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET if you are allergic to Alprazolam, other similar benzodiazepine medicines (Ex. midazolam, lorazepam) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
LUNGS
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with chest problems or breathing difficulties like chronic bronchitis (inflamed and narrower airways making breathing difficult) or emphysema (damaged air sacs resulting in less oxygen in the blood). ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients having any other lung problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.
OTHERS
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use if you have:
- myasthenia gravis (weak and tired muscles)
- sleep apnoea (irregular breathing, even stopping for short periods, while you are asleep)
Before taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have:
- suffered from any mental illness that required hospital treatment
- ever felt so depressed that you have thought about ending your own life
- abused any drugs in the past or find it difficult to stop taking certain medicines or drugs
- been prescribed medicines for severe anxiety in the past
- chronic tightness of the chest
- have severe depression
- psychosis (severe mental illness which disturbs your behaviour, actions and self-control)
- narrow-angle glaucoma (suddenly raised eyeball pressure)
Use in pediatrics:
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age because safety and efficacy in this population have not been established. Consult your child’s doctor for advice.
Use in geriatrics:
In elderly patients, ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution due to the risk of sedation or musculoskeletal weakness that can promote falls, often with serious consequences. Consult your doctor before taking it.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- medicine used to treat epilepsy (Ex. clobazam, gabapentin)
- medicines used to prevent pregnancy (Ex. ethinylestradiol and norethindrone)
- ritonavir (used to treat HIV)
- any other medicines to treat anxiety or depression or to help you sleep (Ex. nefazodone, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine)
- some strong pain killers (Ex. opioids like morphine, codeine, propoxyphene)
- antipsychotic medicines used to treat mental illnesses like schizophrenia (Ex. clozapine, aripiprazole)
- antihistamines for relief of allergies (Ex. cetirizine, loratadine)
- ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
- medicines used to treat bacterial infections (Ex. erythromycin, clarithromycin)
- cimetidine (used for treating stomach ulcers)
- diltiazem (used to treat angina and high blood pressure)
- digoxin (used to treat different heart conditions)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET overdose are drowsiness, confusion, feeling cold, slurred speech, drop in blood pressure and difficulty breathing.
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Alprazolam |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Benzodiazepines |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Injection |
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET out of reach from children
- Store at a temperature not more than 25°C
FAQs ABOUT ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET
What is ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET used for?
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET contains Alprazolam, which belongs to the group of medicines called anxiolytics. It is used in adults to treat generalized anxiety disorder (chronic feeling of anxiety or nervousness) and panic disease with or without agoraphobia (fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness or embarrassment) panic disorder is a kind of anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of terror when there is no real danger.
Can ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET be used by children?
No. ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET cannot be used in children and adolescents below 18 years of age because safety and efficacy in this population have not been established. Consult your child’s doctor for advice. The doctor will decide the appropriate dose or select a suitable alternative treatment for your child.
Can I stop using ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET?
Do not stop taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET without the advice of your doctor, even if you feel better as the dose needs to be reduced slowly before discontinuing. If you stop taking the medicine or reduce the dose suddenly you can get ‘rebound’ effects which might cause more anxiety, restlessness or difficulty sleeping. These symptoms will fade as your body re-adjusts. If you stop taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET suddenly, you can experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, mood changes, trouble sleeping and irritability. If you are worried or have more doubts, consult your doctor about this.
Can I drink alcohol while taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET?
Do not consume alcohol during treatment with ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET as alcohol increases the effects of the medicine. ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with a history of alcohol abuse. Consult your doctor for advice.
Can I drive while taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET?
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET can make you feel sleepy, dizzy and less focused so avoid driving or using a machine until you know how it affects you. Consult your doctor if you feel any side effects during treatment with ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET that may stop you from driving or using machines.
Is it safe to use ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET in pregnant and breastfeeding women?
ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in women who are pregnant, think they may be pregnant or are planning to get pregnant. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET. Consult your doctor before taking ANXIT 0.5MG TABLET.
REFERENCES
1. K D Tripathi. Drugs Used in Mental Illness: Antidepressant and Antianxiety Drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. 8th Edition. 2019. Page – 494.
2. Ait-Daoud, N., Hamby, A. S., Sharma, S., & Blevins, D. A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed Central. March 2018. [Accessed on 10th September 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5846112/
3. Steven Moylan, Francesco Giorlando, Trond Nordfjærn, Michael Berk. The role of alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder in Australia. Sage Journals. January 2012. [Accessed on 10th September 2022] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0004867411432074
4 Pfizer Italia S.r.l. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in June 2022] [Accessed on 10th September 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1656.pdf
5. Pfizer Ltd. US Food and Drug Administration [Revised in March 2021] [Accessed on 10th September 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/018276s055lbl.pdf
6. Dragenopharm Apotheker Püschl GmbH, Salutas Pharma GmbH, Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d. Health Products Regulatory Authority. [Revised in February 2020] [Accessed on 10th September 2022] https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/dd567179-3ff5-41af-a467-fbea5468b99e.pdf
AUTHOR DETAILS
Written By Dr. Dhivakaran R, BDS
Last updated on 05 Oct 2022 | 05:22 PM(IST)