Thursday 23 February 2017

Onax (Alprazolam) 2mg

Onax Tablet is used for the management of anxiety disorder or for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. This medicine works by binding at several sites within the brain and affecting the chemical action to produce a depressive effect on brain activity. This medicine helps by promoting sleep, reducing anxiety and worry. Onax is also used to treat panic disorder with or without fear in open public space (agoraphobia), and for the short-term treatment of anxiety associated with depression.

When not to use
Onax should not be used to treat short-term mild anxiety, such as stress of daily life.
Benzodiazepine
Onax is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of medicines called Benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs used to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety and insomnia. These medicines work by slowing down the activity of the central nervous system by relaxing the muscles and inducing sleep.
How to use
Follow directions on the product label, information guide, and provided by your doctor before using Onax. Consume this medicine as per your doctor's instructions.
Onax is consumed with or without food.
The typical adult dose of Onax is 0.25 - 0.5 mg three times a day (not more than 4 mg a day). The maximum dose for adults of Onax is 4 mg per day. Habit forming tendencies may sometimes be seen with this medicine. You may be at higher than normal risk if you have an addiction to alcohol, or to drugs. To reduce your risk of addiction, take this medicine exactly as prescribed.
Onax is to be used for longer periods of time.
Tell your doctor if you develop new symptoms. Talk to your doctor if memory loss (amnesia), and jaundice. Consult with your doctor before stopping the use of Onax Tablet.
To see the impact of Onax Tablet on the body, your doctor may recommend a lower initial dose. Please follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Taking a high dose of this medicine is known to increase the chances of side-effects. A lower dose of Onax Tablet may be recommended to reduce the risk of side-effects. Older patients may see an increase in the risk of side-effects. Hence, a lower dose may be recommended.


When stopping this medicine, it is possible that you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as an increase in the ability to hear, see, or become aware of something through the senses (heightened sensory perception), disturbed focus, dysfunction of the sense of smell (dysosmia), inability to think clearly (clouded sensorium), tingling sensation, muscle cramp, muscle twitch, diarrhea, blurred vision, decreased appetite, weight loss, anxiety, insomnia, headache, muscle pain, tension, restlessness, confusion, irritability, feeling unreal (depersonalisation), hearing disorder (hyperacusis), numbness and tingling on hand or feet, sensitivity to light, noise, or physical contact, hallucination, seizures, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, nausea, vomiting, sweating, stomach cramp, and tremor. You may need to gradually decrease the dose of this medicine before stopping. This medicine may not be as effective if it is used for extended periods of time.
The safety and effectiveness of using this medicine in children has not been established. The effect of Onax in the children aged less than 18 years has not been studied.
If using the orally-disintegrating form of this medicine, make sure you do not consume any food or fluid 5 minutes before or after taking this medicine. Before taking the medicine out of the package, wash your hands thoroughly. Place the medicine on the tongue. Make sure you do not chew or swallow the medicine. You do not need to drink water after consuming the medicine. In certain cases, the medicine can taste slightly bitter. Also, ensure that you do not break or split the medicine.
To decrease the possibility of side-effects, you might be recommended to use the extended-release form of this medicine by your doctor. The extended-release medicine helps in maintaining a steady level of the medicine in your body for a longer period of time. Do not crush or chew the medicine, unless indicated on the package or by your doctor.
Avoid grapefruit juice while using Onax. Avoid drinking alcohol with Onax.
Medicines may be given for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. Do not use Onax Tablet for symptoms for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Onax Tablet to others who may have similar symptoms as you. Self-medication can cause harm.
Store Onax Tablet 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), away from moisture, and away from light. Keep this medicine away from children and pets.
Read more: What are the uses of Onax?


How to take Onax
Your dose may depend on several personal factors. You should consult with your doctor to find out the dose that is best for you. The dose of Onax depends on the following factors:
patient's age
patient's health
response to treatment
Onax Dosage
Dosage for anxiety disorder
Adult
Initial: 0.25 to 0.5 mg three times daily
Maximum: 4 mg daily
Older Adults
Initial: 0.25 mg two to three times daily
Minimum Age
18 years


Forms
Tablet
Strength: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg
Oral Solution
Strength: 1 mg/mL
Extended Release Tablet
Strength: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg
Orally Disintegrating Tablet
Strength: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg
Special Instructions
Weak patients and patients with severe liver disease
Starting dose of Onax in weak and severe liver disease patients should be 0.25 mg two to three times daily.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Skip the missed dose if its time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you may have missed.


Overdose
What to do if you overdose on Onax?
In case of overdose, pulse rate, respiration, and blood pressure should be monitored. Immediate stomach emptying should be performed. Maintain proper breathing and fluids should be given through the vein. Onax can be removed from the blood by artificial blood purifying technique (dialysis). Flumazenil should be given for the reversal of sleeping effects due to Onax overdose. It should be given with proper monitoring of respiratory insufficiency, re-sedation and other remaining benzodiazepine effects for some period after the treatment. If low blood pressure occurs, it may be treated with blood vessel constriction medicines (vasopressor).
Symptoms of an overdose of Onax
If you use too much of this medicine, it could lead to dangerous levels of the medicine in your body. In such cases, symptoms of an overdose may include:
coma
confusion
lack in coordination
less response to something
sleepiness
If you think you have overdosed on Onax Tablet, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.


Precautions while using Onax
Before you use Onax, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to benzodiazepines.
Before you use Onax Tablet, tell your doctor of your medical history including depression, mood problems, suicidal thoughts or behavior, liver or kidney problems, lung disease or breathing problems, mood disorder (borderline personality disorder), violent or aggressive behavior, alcohol or substance abuse, seizures, or brain disorder (epilepsy). The use of this medicine can be possibly fatal in patients with severe lung disease. A decrease in the elimination rate of Onax has been observed in alcoholic liver disease patients.
Onax Tablet is not safe for use in women who are pregnant. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should discuss the impact on the fetus with your doctor before you start using this medicine. This medicine can potentially cause harm to the fetus when given to pregnant women. When used during the first trimester of pregnancy, Onax is considered to be capable of producing an increased risk of birth defects including a complete loss of muscle tone (neonatal flaccidity) and respiratory problems in the baby. Consult with your doctor on the use of Onax Tablet during breastfeeding. This medicine may pass into breast milk. It can cause lack of energy (lethargy) and weight loss in the baby. So, Onax should not be used while breastfeeding. Consult with your doctor on the use of Onax Tablet, if you are trying to conceive.
Avoid drinking alcohol with Onax. Consumption of alcohol may cause dizziness, severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and possibly fatal.
Onax can make you feel sleepy. Be careful, especially while driving, while using heavy machinery, or when doing any activity that needs you to be completely alert. The consumption of alcohol with Onax can worsen the sleepiness. Onax may cause seizures in some people. Hence, you should discuss with your doctor before performing any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you or others.
This medicine may increase your sensitivity to sunlight and make you prone to sunburn. If this happens, limit your time outdoors to prevent sunburn. Use a sunscreen and cover your skin when you are outdoors. If you get sunburns on your body, consult with your doctor.
Older patients may have a higher incidence of side-effects when using Onax Tablet. Elderly patients may see an increased risk of loss of body movements, and oversedation.
This medicine may cause psychological dependence when used for a long time.
Read more: What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Onax to Children or the Older Adults?


Onax Side-effects
The following side-effects may commonly occur when using Onax Tablet. If any of these side-effects worsen or last for a long time, you should consult with your doctor:
anxiety
blurred vision
change in weight
confusion
constipation
depression
difficulty in erection (erectile dysfunction)
disturbance in attention
dizziness
double vision
drowsiness
dry mouth
excessive sleepiness (hypersomnia)
fatigue
feeling of anxiety (anxious)
feeling sick
headache
inability to remember information
inability to stay awake and feeling lazy
increased or decreased sex drive in men and women
inflammation of the skin (dermatitis)
insomnia
irritability
lack of energy (lethargy)
lack of muscle coordination (jerky, uncoordinated movements)
light-headedness
loss of alertness
loss of appetite
memory problem
nausea
nervousness (agitation)
problems with balance
sexual dysfunction
shakiness (trembling)
skin reactions
slurred speech
speech disorder
state of calm (sedation)
tiredness
tremor


The following side-effects may commonly occur in older patients on the use of Onax Tablet. Discuss with your doctor if any of these side-effects last for a long time or are severe:
aggressiveness
an abnormal condition of mind (psychoses)
delusion
fall
hallucinations
inappropriate behavior
irritability
nervousness
nightmares
restlessness
sedation
uncontrollable anger
weakness of muscle and skeleton system
The following side-effects may commonly occur in children when using Onax Tablet. Discuss with your doctor if any of these side-effects last for a long time or are severe:
aggressiveness
agitation
an abnormal condition of the mind (psychoses)
delusion
hallucinations
inappropriate behaviour
irritability
nightmares
restlessness
uncontrollable anger
Rarely, the use of Onax Tablet may cause the following side-effects:
abnormal thinking
abnormally high level of prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinaemia)
aggression
anger
being hyperactive
burning or prickling sensation
changes in skin color and temperature (vasomotor disturbances)
chest pain
decreased salivation
difficulties in focus
difficulty urinating (micturition difficulties)
excessive breathing (hyperventilation)
fainting
fear
feeling unreal (derealization)
feeling warm
increased appetite
increased mental activity (psychomotor hyperactivity)
increased pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure increased)
increased salivation
infection
loss of control over urination (incontinence)
loss of control senses (disinhibition)
menstrual disorder
menstrual irregularities
mental health disorder (cognitive disorder)
mildly elevated mood (hypomania)
movement disorder
muscle cramp
muscle spasm
muscle stiffness
muscle tone disorder
muscle twitching
nasal congestion
palpitation
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
severe itching of the skin
short-term memory loss (transient amnesia)
slurred speech
stiffness of the muscle (rigidity)
stomach discomfort (abdominal distress)
stomach upset
sweating
swelling of the feet, ankles, or fingers
talkativeness
taste changes (alteration)
uncontrolled muscle movement (dystonia)
unfriendliness (hostility)
weakness of muscle or skeleton system
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Onax Tablet:
seizures
serious allergic reaction
low blood pressure
increased heartbeat
diarrhea
jaundice
hallucination
abnormally elevated mood (mania)
abnormal accumulation of fluid
an inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
Your doctor has prescribed this Onax because they have judged that the benefits outweigh the risks posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This is not a complete list of possible side-effects for Onax.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.
Read more: Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Onax by Severity and Frequency


Warnings
Use of opioids
Patients using Onax with opioids are at an increased risk. Such patients may have an increased risk of sleepiness, coma, breathing problems, and can be fatal. A lowest effective dose of Onax should be given for the minimum duration of time with opioids. Closely monitor signs and symptoms of breathing problems and sleepiness. It is also advised to patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Dependence and withdrawal reactions
There is a risk of dependence and withdrawal reactions in patients who are using Onax. This may occur in patients with a history of alcohol use or misuse of the drug. Patients using Onax may have a risk of dependence to Onax which can be life-threatening. This medicine also causes withdrawal symptoms including seizures, disturbed focus, abnormal sensation, inability to think clearly or concentrate (clouded sensorium), weight loss, heightened sensory perception, appetite decrease, alteration of the perception of smell (dysosmia), blurred vision, muscle cramps, diarrhea, and muscle twitch. Onax should be discontinued by reducing dosage slowly. The dosage of Onax may be decreased by no more than 0.5 mg every three days.
Memory loss (amnesia)
Patients taking Onax are at an increased risk of memory loss. The patients should take continuous 7 to 8 hours sleep to reduce the risk of memory loss.
Mental and drug-related reactions (psychiatric and paradoxical reactions)
Children and elderly patients are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Such patients may have an increased risk of nervousness, restlessness, irritability, delusion, aggressiveness, violent uncontrollable anger, nightmares, inappropriate behavior, severe mental disorder, and hallucinations. The use of Onax in such patients should be discontinued.
Abnormal functioning of kidneys and liver
Patients with abnormal functioning of kidneys and liver are at an increased risk. Onax should be given with caution in such patients.
Depression or anxiety
Patients with depression or anxiety are at an increased risk when taking this medicine. Such patients may have increased risk of suicide when they take Onax alone. Onax should be given for a short period with caution in patients with symptoms of depression or suicide.
Elderly patients
Elderly patients are at an increased risk when taking this medicine. Such patients may have an increased risk of muscle weakness, severe respiratory insufficiency, and sleepiness. Onax should be given with caution and start with a low dose in such patients.
Patients taking Onax
Patients using Onax may have a risk of withdrawal symptoms including prolonged seizures that can be possibly fatal.
Symptoms occur between dose intervals
Patients using Onax may have a risk of early morning anxiety which may indicate the development of tolerance. The same total daily dose of Onax should be given in divided doses to such patients.
Risk of dose reduction
The reduction of dose in patients using Onax may have a risk of withdrawal reactions. The doses of Onax should be decreased and stopped gradually.
Slow down of body activities (CNS depression)
Onax may cause slow down of body activities due to its brain depressive effect. Patients taking Onax should be cautioned while doing activities which require full mental alertness such as driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. Such patients also should be cautioned about the simultaneous consumption of alcohol and other brain depressive drugs.
Risk of harm in an unborn baby
Pregnant women taking Onax may have an increased risk of harm to the unborn baby. This medicine may cause birth defects to unborn babies when given to pregnant women in their first trimester. Onax should be avoided in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If patients are taking Onax, become pregnant or plan to pregnant during treatment they should consult with their doctor about taking or discontinuing the drug.
Tolerance
The repeated use of Onax for few weeks may cause a decrease in its sleep-inducing effect.
Depression patients
The use of Onax in patients with depression are at increased risk. The use of Onax in patients with depression may cause periods of mild to moderate abnormally elevated mood.
Patients with mental illness
Onax should not be as a primary treatment of mental illness.


Interactions with Onax
When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
Onax Tablet may interact with opioids, which are used to relieve pain. The use of benzodiazepines and opioids together increases the risk of sedation, breathing insufficiency, coma, and can be possibly fatal because of additive brain depressant (central nervous system depressant) effect. It may also cause an increase in the experience of happiness or excitement which can lead to more mental dependence. If benzodiazepines and opioids are used together, limit the dosage and duration of treatment. Monitor the patients strictly for breathing insufficiency and sedation.
There may be an interaction of Onax with other brain depressants (CNS depressants). Onax produces an additive effect when used with other brain depressants (CNS depressants) such as psychotropic medicines, neuroleptics, hypnotics, anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, anticonvulsants, and antihistamines. The patient should be cautious when using Onax with other brain depressants (CNS depressants).
Onax Tablet interacts with imipramine and desipramine, which are used to treat depression. An increased amount of imipramine and desipramine in the blood have been reported when used simultaneously with Onax.
Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with liver enzyme (CYP3A) inhibitors. The use of Onax with enzyme CYP3A inhibitors may increase the amount and activity of Onax in the blood. The patients should be cautious while using Onax with cytochrome P450 3A inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, propoxyphene, oral contraceptives, sertraline, diltiazem, or macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin, and troleandomycin.
Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with digoxin, which is used to treat heart failure. When Onax is used with digoxin, increased digoxin amount has been reported in the blood, especially in elderly aged more than 65 years. The patients who receive Onax and digoxin should be monitored for signs and symptoms of increased digoxin levels in the blood.
Onax Tablet may interact with liver enzyme (CYP3A4) inducers. The inducers of this enzyme may increase the breakdown of Onax.
There may be an interaction of Onax with HIV protease inhibitors (ritonavir), which are used to treat viral infection. The use of ritonavir with Onax results in decreased Onax elimination from the body and enhanced clinical effects. When HIV protease inhibitors are used with Onax, a dose-adjustment or discontinuation of Onax is needed.
Onax Tablet interacts with azole-type antifungals (for example, ketoconazole, itraconazole), which are used to treat fungal infection. The use of Onax with azole anti-fungals (for example, ketoconazole and itraconazole), decreases the breakdown by cytochrome P450 3A. This causes an increased amount of Onax in the blood. The intake of Onax with ketoconazole, itraconazole, or other azole-type antifungals is not recommended.
Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with nefazodone or fluvoxamine, which are used to treat depression. The use of nefazodone or fluvoxamine with Onax cause a two-time increase in the level of Onax in the blood and a decrease in psychomotor performance. The patients should be cautious while using Onax with nefazodone or fluvoxamine and dose reduction is also recommended.
Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with cimetidine, which is used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers. The use of Onax with cimetidine increases the amount of Onax in the blood. While using Onax with cimetidine, precaution and dose reduction of Onax is recommended.
Onax Tablet may interact with carbamazepine, which is used to treat seizures. The use of Onax with carbamazepine can increase the breakdown of Onax and thus decrease Onax level in the blood.
There may be an interaction of Onax with ergotamine, amiodarone, nicardipine, cyclosporine, and nifedipine, which are used to treat migraine type headache, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, to prevent organ rejection and certain types of chest pain respectively. While using Onax with ergotamine, amiodarone, nicardipine, cyclosporine, or nifedipine caution should be taken.
Onax Tablet interacts with isoniazid or paroxetine, which are used to treat infection and depression respectively. While using Onax with isoniazid and paroxetine, caution is recommended.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Onax Tablet. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

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