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Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR

Generic Name: alprazolam (Pronunciation: al PRAY zoe lam)

What is alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR)?

Alprazolam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.

Alprazolam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Alprazolam 0.25 mg-ACT

round, white, imprinted with 027, R

Alprazolam 0.25 mg-GG

elliptical, white, imprinted with GG 256

Alprazolam 0.25 mg-GRE

oval, white, imprinted with G 3719

Alprazolam 0.25 mg-MAJ

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN A

Alprazolam 0.25 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN A

Alprazolam 0.5 mg-GG

elliptical, orange, imprinted with GG 257

Alprazolam 0.5 mg-GS

oval, peach, imprinted with G3720

Alprazolam 0.5 mg-MAJ

round, peach, imprinted with MYLAN A3

Alprazolam 0.5 mg-MYL

round, peach, imprinted with MYLAN A3

Alprazolam 0.5 mg-PP

round, peach, imprinted with 029, LOGO, R

Alprazolam 1 mg-ACT

round, blue, imprinted with 031, R

Alprazolam 1 mg-GG

elliptical, blue, imprinted with GG 258

Alprazolam 1 mg-GRE

oval, blue, imprinted with G3721

Alprazolam 1 mg-MYL

round, blue, imprinted with MYLAN A1

Alprazolam 2 mg-GG

rectangular, white, imprinted with GG 249

Alprazolam 2 mg-GS

rectangular, white, imprinted with G 3722

Alprazolam 2 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN A4

Alprazolam 2 mg-PP

rectangular, yellow, imprinted with R 0 3 9

Alprazolam ER 2 mg-MYL

round, purple, imprinted with M, A23

Alprazolam ER 3 mg-MYL

round, pink, imprinted with M, A24

Alprazolam XR 0.5 mg-EON

round, white, imprinted with E 195

Alprazolam XR 0.5 mg-GRE

pentagonal, peach, imprinted with G, 0.5

Alprazolam XR 0.5 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with A21, M

Alprazolam XR 2 mg-BAR

round, blue, imprinted with b 493, 2

Alprazolam XR 2 mg-EON

oblong, white, imprinted with E197

Alprazolam XR 2 mg-GRE

round, white, imprinted with G, 2

Alprazolam XR 3 mg-EON

round, yellow, imprinted with E 198

Alprazolam XR 3 mg-GRE

triangular, green, imprinted with G, 3

Niravam 0.25 mg

round, yellow, orange, imprinted with SP 321

Niravam 0.5 mg

round, yellow, orange, imprinted with SP 322, 0.5

Niravam 1 mg

round, white, orange, imprinted with SP 323, 1

Niravam 2 mg

round, white, orange, imprinted with SP 324, 2

Xanax 0.25 mg

oval, white, imprinted with XANAX 0.25

Xanax 0.5 mg

oval, orange, imprinted with XANAX 0.5

Xanax 1 mg

oval, blue, imprinted with XANAX 1.0

Xanax 2 mg

rectangular, white, imprinted with X A N A X, 2

Xanax XR 0.5 mg

pentagonal, white, imprinted with X, 0.5

Xanax XR 2 mg

round, blue, imprinted with X, 2

Xanax XR 3 mg

triangular, green, imprinted with X, 3

What are the possible side effects of alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;
depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
hyperactivity, agitation, hostility, hallucinations;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
seizure (convulsions);
urinating less than usual or not at all;
muscle twitching, tremor; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

drowsiness, dizziness, feeling irritable;
amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating;
sleep problems (insomnia);
muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination, slurred speech;
blurred vision;
nausea, vomiting, constipation, appetite or weight changes;
dry or watery mouth, increased sweating; or
loss of interest in sex.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to alprazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use alprazolam if you are pregnant.

Before taking alprazolam, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Do not drink alcohol while taking alprazolam. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.

Alprazolam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Alprazolam should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

It is dangerous to try and purchase alprazolam on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of alprazolam purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR)?»