Xanax (alprazolam) is commonly prescribed for short-term treatment of anxiety disorders. It falls under Schedule IV of controlled substances, implying its use is tightly regulated and it is only available through prescription. Although the medication effectively alleviates anxiety symptoms, it has a potential for abuse and addiction, explaining its stringent control. Due to this factor, you cannot get Xanax without a prescription from a licensed doctor. To get prescribed Xanax (Alprazolam), you have to consult a medical provider and get a diagnosis. The doctor will also decide whether Xanax is the best option for you. To better understand the features of this medication and how to receive a prescription, keep reading.
What is Xanax and What It is Used For
Xanax, the brand name for alprazolam, belongs to a group of medications referred to as benzodiazepines. It is FDA-approved for anxiety and panic attack treatment. Xanax works by increasing the activity of a brain chemical known as GABA. An increase in GABA produces a calming and relaxing effect that helps improve anxiety symptoms and curb panic attacks. When used as prescribed, Xanax treats several types of anxiety disorder and relieves excessive worry, irritability, sleep disturbance, and muscle spasms. Besides the FDA-approved uses, doctors can prescribe Xanax for off-label purposes like post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and premenstrual syndrome.
Prescription Requirements
Xanax is used for short-term relief of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic attacks with or without agoraphobia in adults. GAD is characterized by excessive worry and irritability most of the time, while panic disorder is associated with panic attacks, including intense feelings of fear and terror. According to federal regulations, only a licensed clinician can prescribe Xanax with evidence of a legitimate medical reason. According to Federal Regulations, a single prescription of Schedule IV drugs may be refilled no more than 5 times or 6 months after the date of the original prescription. Some states provide further regulations on prescribing Schedule IV controlled drugs, including Xanax. Thus, your doctor must write another prescription when the specified period elapses. When prescribed for GAD, FDA recommends a starting dose of 0.25-0.5 mg, taken thrice daily. The dosage can then be increased gradually every 3-4 days to a maximum daily dose of 4 mg. On the other hand, the recommended starting dose for panic disorder is 0.5 mg, three times per day, and can be increased by no more than 1 mg per day after every 3 or 4 days to a maximum of 10 mg.
How to Get a Xanax Prescription
Due to the drug's potential side effects and risk for abuse, you can only get a Xanax prescription from a health professional with a license to prescribe controlled substances. Before giving a prescription, the doctor must determine if Xanax is the right medication for you. The practitioner will have to rule out any safety concerns and evaluate for possible patterns of abuse. Here is how to get Xanax prescribed in three steps:
- Talk to a licensed health practitioner about your symptoms. Sometimes, feelings of fear or anxiety manifest as symptoms of other conditions rather than panic or anxiety disorders. Talking to a health practitioner helps to diagnose the condition accurately.
- Provide a detailed description of the symptoms. Before prescribing Xanax, the doctor needs to fully understand your condition to ensure it's the right medication for you. A detailed history is the only way to let the practitioner understand your symptoms.
- Ask for a prescription. Once it is clear that your symptoms fit the criteria for an anxiolytic medication, ask your doctor if Xanax can be a suitable treatment option. If the clinician feels the drug is appropriate for you, they will prescribe it. Otherwise, they will provide an explanation and suggest alternatives.
Can You Purchase Xanax Without a Prescription?
Xanax is a controlled substance and is only legally available through prescription. Therefore, you cannot buy it over the counter. If the doctor does not prescribe the medication for you, do not resort to obtaining Xanax through illegal channels. Taking the drug without your doctor's approval implies you might fail to take the drug as required, which puts you at risk of potentially life-threatening adverse effects. Avoid buying street versions of Xanax or taking those prescribed for family members or friends.
Potential Risks of Using Xanax Without Medical Supervision
Taking Xanax without professional guidance bears significant risks and must be avoided. First, it might cause exaggerated side effects, including impaired coordination, slow heart rate, confusion, extreme drowsiness, and speech problems. Failure to take Xanax as prescribed can also precipitate withdrawal reaction characterized by:
- Panic attacks
- Hyperventilation
- Tremors
- Sleep disturbance
- Anxiety
- Appetite loss
- Muscle spasms
- Excessive sweating
Street versions of Xanax are not similar to those sold in licensed pharmacies. These illicit versions often contain lethal doses of other substances, such as fentanyl. Besides leading to fatal overdose, using such Xanax versions increase the chances of addiction.
In Conclusion
Xanax is classified under Schedule IV of controlled substances. Therefore, obtaining the medication requires a prescription from a licensed medical practitioner. In order to get Xanax for anxiety or panic attacks, talk to a doctor and explain your symptoms clearly. That said, the decision to prescribe Xanax primarily lies with the doctor. Do not take this medicine without a clinician's approval.
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