Alprazolam: Uses And Side Effects Of This Anxiolytic
Probably many of the people reading this article will know or have heard of the drug it refers to. Forks alprazolam, one of its best-known trade names being Trankimazin is one of the most common psychotropic drugs in the treatment of anxiety, one of the mental problems that occurs most frequently in the population.
Throughout this article we are going to see, among other things, what type of substance it is, its mechanism of action and some of its main uses.
Alprazolam: type of substance and main characteristics
Alprazolam is a medication with psychoactive properties or psychotropic drug that is classified within anxiolytics, substances used to treat anxiety and its manifestations. Among anxiolytics, it is part of the benzodiazepines, these being one of the most popular types of psychotropic drugs consumed by the population (being much safer, more effective and with fewer side effects than their predecessors, the barbiturates).
In the specific case of alprazolam we are faced with an intermediate acting benzodiazepine which implies that it takes less time to begin to have an effect on the body compared to a long-acting one, but at the same time its effects last less time than these, and vice versa if we compare it with a long-acting one. short action.
Its duration is approximately between 12 and 24 hours. This duration of the effect is advantageous, since it generates a lower likelihood of dependence and addiction to the substance and fewer doses are necessary to cause a prolonged anxiolytic effect, in addition to ensuring that the medication does not take excessively long to take effect.
Like the rest of benzodiazepines, the main mechanism of action of alprazolam is based on its interaction with gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA one of the main inhibitory neurotransmitters of the central nervous system.
Alprazolam acts as an agonist of this neurotransmitter at GABA A receptors, favoring its action in such a way that it makes it difficult for neurons to carry out action potentials. In other words, they make the neuronal activation of certain areas of the brain less. This action is carried out predominantly on the limbic system (highly activated in anxiety) and the cerebral cortex.
Disorders and problems for which it is used
Alprazolam is an effective psychotropic drug for which multiple indications have been found, especially in the field of anxiety. Some of the best known and most common are the following.
1. Anxiety disorders
The main indication for alprazolam is its use in anxiety disorders. Among them we frequently find panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) and generalized anxiety disorder.
2. Adaptive disorders
Adaptive disorders, those in which some type of symptomatology appears derived and explainable from the experience of a specific event or psychosocial stress, are also often treated with alprazolam and other benzodiazepines.
3. Depression
Although it is not its priority use, alprazolam has sometimes been used in depressive disorders, especially in those with high anxiety or mixed anxiety-depressive symptoms. However, this application must be evaluated and applied with great caution. in patients with suicidal ideations and severe depression as it can enhance the symptoms.
One of the indications for alprazolam is found in patients who suffer from social phobia, helping to reduce the level of anxiety at the prospect of exposing themselves to other people.
5. Chemotherapy
Alprazolam has also been shown useful in the treatment of discomfort and anxiety generated by chemotherapy in patients who must undergo it due to some type of tumor.
Related article: “Benzodiazepines (psychopharmaceutical): uses, effects and risks”
Alprazolam side effects and risks
The use of alprazolam can be very useful in the treatment of various symptoms, especially regarding anxiety. However, it is a psychotropic drug that can generate different adverse effects, so its use must always be indicated and supervised by the doctor.
Among them, the most common is the presence of drowsiness and sedation, occasionally together with headache and dizziness Concentration and attention are diminished. Nausea and vomiting, fatigue, blurred vision, hypotension, urinary incontinence, tremors, or sexual disturbances may also occur. Much less common is the presence of adverse reactions such as increases in intraocular pressure, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, agitation or aggressiveness.
Another adverse effect to take into account is that the consumption of alprazolam and other benzodiazepines can cause specific memory problems, both retrograde and anterograde. It can cause difficulties when remembering previous information, or make it difficult to learn new information. It can also be found that sometimes suicidal ideations may appear. In rare cases, paradoxical reactions also appear, that is, reactions contrary to those expected after the administration of the treatment (restlessness, anxiety, agitation, etc.).
In addition to these symptoms, it must be taken into account that benzodiazepines are substances with addictive potential, running the risk of acquiring dependence on them. In the case of alprazolam this risk exists, although it is lower than that of short-acting benzodiazepines. It is also essential to keep in mind that the consumption of psychotropic drugs should not stop suddenly since there is a possibility of withdrawal syndrome or even rebound anxiety.
Likewise, there is a risk of overdose, which can cause arrest or cardiorespiratory failure. These overdoses can sometimes be treated with flumazenil.
Contraindications
The use of alprazolam is not recommended for all types of patients, but there are circumstances that may make this psychotropic drug contraindicated. One of them occurs in patients with narrow angle glaucoma, as well as in those subjects who suffer from alterations in the respiratory tract or suffer from respiratory failure, as it can be dangerous for them. It is also contraindicated in myasthenia.
Likewise, it should not be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition Nor should patients who have kidney or liver failure take this medication or the doses must be closely scheduled taking into account this insufficiency.
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Salazar, M.; Peralta, C.; Pastor, J. (2011). Manual of Psychopharmacology. Madrid, Panamericana Medical Editorial.
Stevens, J.C. & Pollack, M.H. (2005). Benzodiazepines in clinical practice: consideration of their long-term use and alternative agents. J Clin Psychiatry; 66 (Suppl 2):21-7.
