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Xanax
By Jean-Michel Ake
What is Xanax?
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Xanax is a prescription drug for the
treatment of patients of with a panic
disorder (both with and without
agoraphobia)
Xanax is taken in a pill form and can
be taken once or multiple times a day
depending on the severity of the
patients condition.
What is Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is: unexpected and
repeated episodes of intense fear
– These symptoms could be followed by
physical symptoms such as:

racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness
of breath, feeling of choking, chest pain or
discomfort , nausea or abdominal distress,
faintness or dizziness, feelings of unreality,
fear of going crazy, losing control, fear of
dying, numbness or tingling, chills or hot
flushes.
What is Panic Disorder? (cont.)

Agoraphobia- an anxiety (or fear) of being
in places or situations from which escape
might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in
which help may not be available in the
event of having a panic attack or panic-like
symptoms
– Some people with agoraphobia may fear being
outside the home alone. They also fear being in
a crowd or standing in a line, being on a bridge,
or traveling in a bus, train, or car.
Panic Disorder facts

Nearly 6 million people 18 & older
suffer from panic attack like
symptoms. (2.7% of the US
population)
– About 1/3 of those affected with panic
attacks also suffer from agroaphobia.
Causes of Panic Disorder
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Researchers believe that panic disorder is a
treatable medical illness caused by a combination of
biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Biologically, it appears that emotional memories
stored in specific parts of the brain may play a role
in disorders involving very distinct fears, like
phobias, while other parts may be involved in other
forms of anxiety.
Some researchers suggest that symptoms of panic
may be caused by an imbalance of specific
chemicals in the brain. Three of these chemicals are
norepinephrine, GABA, and serotonin. It is believed
that changes in the levels of these chemicals play a
role in panic disorder.
What Xanax does?


Xanax is a drug that belongs to a
group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepine is a drug that not only
makes the person feel better, but it
works quickly (under an 1½hours) and
is effective in reducing the amount
and severity of panic attacks.
How does Xanax work?

XANAX helps patients with panic
disorder feel less anxious and more
relaxed. It does this by boosting the
effects of GABA at the synaptic level in
your brain. GABA sends messages to
your brain that tell it to “calm down.”
Taking XANAX increases this effect.
Side Effects of Xanax

Sedation, sleepiness, memory
impairment, impaired speech,
abnormal coordination and/or muscle
action, and reduced sexual drive.
Some people also suffer from
psychological and physical dependence
as well.
When on this drug…
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You shouldn’t drive or operate heavy
machinery until you know how your
body will react to the drug.
You shouldn’t get pregnant or nurse
because it may affect the baby in the
future.
Safety tips about Xanax
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Do not drink alcohol while taking XANAX
Do not increase your dose, even if you think the
medicine is not working. Talk to your doctor first.
Do not discontinue taking XANAX abruptly.
Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet.
Until you know how XANAX affects you, do not
drive a car. And do not run any machine that
could cause you injury or harm.
Do not take XANAX if you are pregnant. Be sure
to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are
planning to have a baby. Also, let your doctor
know if you are nursing a baby.