Alprazolam

Xanax (brand name), prazolam, ksalol, xannies, bars, z-bars, zanbars, xanbars, handlebars, planks, bricks

Depressant

Alprazolam (often seen as under the trade name Xanax) is a sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More drug prescribed for the treatment of anxiety/stress/depression, panic attacks, and sleep disorders ¹.

Short-term use in anxiety ².

Small pills, usually oval though can be other shapes. They come at different strengths (0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg being the most common) and in a range of different colours (white, orange and pink most often) and the colour is usually linked to the strength of the pill. They are also found (rarely) in capsule form ¹.

Alprazolam is only legally available through prescription. Many abusers maintain their drug supply by getting prescriptions from several doctors, forging prescriptions, or buying them illicitly ³.

Following oral administration, alprazolam is quickly absorbed and metabolised by the body. Peak concentrations in plasma (proportionate to the dose) occur approximately 1 to 2 hours after ingestion. The metabolites 4-hydroxyalprazolam and a-hydroxyalprazolam are chiefly responsible for alprazolam’s metabolisation.

The precise mechanism of action in alprazolam is not currently known; merely that it enhances the body’s GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect., the CNS’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Alprazolam is believed to act by strengthening (rather than adding to) the body’s existing GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect., which quietens the neurons in the brain, thereby calming the brain and subsequently the mind ¹.

Benzodiazepines produce a variety of effects by binding to the benzodiazepine receptor site and magnifying the efficiency and effects of the neurotransmitter GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. by acting on its receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More ⁸. As this site is the most prolific inhibitory receptor set within the brain, its modulation results in the sedating (or calming effects) of alprazolam on the nervous system.

The anticonvulsant properties of benzodiazepines may be, in part or entirely, due to binding to voltage-dependent sodium channels rather than benzodiazepine receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More ⁹.

Alprazolam causes a marked suppression of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis. Administration of alprazolam has been demonstrated to elicit an increase in striatal dopamine concentrations ¹⁰, ⁵.

• increased conflict with friends, family, and coworkers,
• decreased performance at work or school,
• financial changes with more money being spent on the substance,
• contacting multiple doctors for prescriptions (‘doctor shopping’ for xanax) ⁴,
• slurred speech,
• shallow breathing,
• sluggishness,
• fatiguea feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy. More,
• disorientation,
• lack of coordination,
• dilated pupils,
• impaired memory, judgement and coordination,
• irritability,
• paranoiasuspicion, distrust or fear of other people,
• thoughts of suicide ¹².

Many of the drug’s effects are possible even when taking the medication as prescribed. Abuse of the substance will heighten and intensify these effects. Alprazolam abuse is marked by –

• taking the substance more often or in higher doses than prescribed,
• taking the substance without a prescription,
• taking the substance for non-medical reasons ⁴.
• confusiontrouble focusing, slow or disorganised thinking, poor short-term memory, unsure of time or place, or having difficulty following a conversation,
• light-headedness,
• headache,
• tiredness,
• dizziness,
• irritability,
• talkativeness,
• difficulty concentration,
• dry mouth,
• increased salivation,
• changes in sex drive or ability,
• nausea,
• constipationmeans that you're not passing stools regularly or you're unable to completely empty your bowels. More,
• changes in appetite,
• weight changes,
• difficulty urinating,
• joint painJoint pain is unpleasant and difficult to deal with, in addition to the other effects of drug abuse on your body. Intravenous drug users in particular are at an increased risk for joint damage. More ¹⁵.

Columbia University states that “respiratory problems, such as destruction of the nasal and sinus cavities and lung tissue” can result from inhaling prescription stimulants ¹⁶. Unfortunately, the same issue can occur when someone snorts Xanax and other prescription sedatives. The continuous introduction of foreign objects into the nasal cavity can have effects on this part of the body no matter what drug the individual is snorting ¹⁶.

Other health effects include –

• mood disturbances – Some individuals develop signs of mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder after abusing drugs like Xanax in the long term.
• erratic behaviour – High doses of benzodiazepines can cause hostile behavior or cause users to act irrationally. This is very likely to occur among individuals who snort Xanax because they will be more likely to abuse continuous doses of the drug.
• gastrointestinal problems – nausea, vomiting, and constipationmeans that you're not passing stools regularly or you're unable to completely empty your bowels. More are all common with Xanax abuse.
• vision problems – Some individuals experience blurry or altered vision when abusing Xanax ¹⁶.

Individuals who snort Xanax are extremely likely to become addicted to the drug while also experiencing extreme health issues and dangerous side effects. No one should snort Xanax as the drug is meant to be taken orally and by prescription only ¹⁶.

• drowsiness,
• shallow respiration,
• clammy skin,
• dilated pupils,
• weak and rapid pulse,
• confusiontrouble focusing, slow or disorganised thinking, poor short-term memory, unsure of time or place, or having difficulty following a conversation,
• coma,
• possible death ¹⁷.

• dependence,
• aggression or violence – particularly if the dose is high, the person is quite impulsive, has a history of aggression, or is also under the influence of alcohol,
• skin and vein problems (if injected),
• withdrawals – which can lead to seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More and death if not managed correctly,
• blackouts,
• overdose – especially if the person also drinks alcohol, takes other depressant drugs (e.g. heroin) or takes opioid painkillers (e.g. OxyContin or morphine),
• sedationthe state of being relaxed or sleepy because of a drug More – including impairing driving the day following use ¹⁸.

Although many drugs are safe on their own, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below contains some common potentially dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. Certain combinations may be safe in low doses of each but still increase the potential risk of death. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption ⁵.

• depressants (1,4-Butanediol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, alcohol, barbiturates, GHB/GBL, methaqualone, opioids) – This combination can result in dangerous or even fatal levels of respiratory depressionslowing the drive and effectiveness of breathing More. These substances potentiate the muscle relaxation, sedationthe state of being relaxed or sleepy because of a drug More and amnesiainability to remember caused by one another and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. There is also an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
• dissociatives – This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
• stimulants – It is dangerous to combine benzodiazepines with stimulants due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More effect of benzodiazepines, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulanta drug that acts on the Central Nervous System, increasing some rates of function such as heart-rate wears off, the effects of benzodiazepines will be significantly increased, leading to intensified disinhibition as well as other effects. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only dosing a certain amount of benzodiazepines per hour. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if hydration is not monitored ⁵.

Withdrawal symptoms or rebound symptoms may occur after ceasing usage abruptly following a few weeks or longer of steady dosing, and may necessitate a gradual dose reduction ²⁰, ²¹.

Benzodiazepine discontinuation is notoriously difficult; it is potentially life-threatening for individuals using regularly to discontinue use without tapering their dose over a period of weeks. There is an increased risk of hypertensionhigh blood pressure, seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More, and death ²². Drugs which lower the seizure threshold such as tramadol should be avoided during withdrawal ⁵.

• intense anxiety,
• inability to sleep,
• irritability and depression,
• shakiness,
• seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More ⁴,
• depersonalisationfeeling detached from yourself, observing yourself and your feelings and thoughts as if they belong to someone else More,
• hypersensitivity,
• physical tremors,
• psychosis ¹⁵,
• blurred vision,
• headache,
• weight loss,
• pain in the hands and feet,
• nausea and vomiting ¹³,
• teeth pain,
• loss of appetite,
• paranoiasuspicion, distrust or fear of other people,
• cramps,
• panic,
• suicidal ideation ²³.

It is extremely unlikely that you will experience all of these withdrawal symptoms. And the variety and intensity of your alprazolam withdrawal symptoms can be influenced by various factors, such as –

• high stress levels,
• family history of drug abuse,
• medical complications,
• the social environment you live in,
• how long you’ve been taking alprazolam for,
• the dosage,
• if you’ve been taking alprazolam alongside other drugs,
• consumption of alcohol,
• method of ingestion ²³.

Determining exactly how long alprazolam is detectable in the body depends on many variables, including which kind drug test is being used. Xanax – which is a benzodiazepine (alprazolam) – can be detected for a shorter time with some tests, but can be “visible” for up to three months in other tests.

The timetable for detecting Xanax in the system is also dependent upon each individual’s metabolism, body mass, age, hydration level, physical activity, health conditions and other factors, making it almost impossible to determine an exact time Xanax will show up on a drug test ¹⁷.

• Age – Xanax has been found to leave the system of younger users faster than elderly people. Most individuals 65 years and older will have their internal organs (for example the liver) functioning at a slower pace making it more difficult for them to excrete the substance.
• Metabolism speed – Although it is unclear how one’s metabolic rate influences their body’s ability to excrete Xanax, many findings have indicated that it does have a slight effect on Xanax clearance. A higher BMR is believe to causes a faster clearance while a lower BMR may result in delayed clearance.
• Height and Weight – How tall or fat a person is can affect how fast Xanax is excreted from their body. Heavier/taller people are believed to be able to clear the drug quicker than their lightweight/shorter counterparts. This is because the heavyweight/taller person would have usually taken a smaller dose in proportion to their body.
• Amount ingested – Users on higher dosages may require a longer period for the drug to be fully excreted from their body. Most doctors will recommend between 0.25 mg and 4 mg to treat patients with depression or anxiety. A lot of the times people will end up exceeding 4 mg, making it more difficult for the drug to be excreted.
• Length of use – How long an individual uses Xanax can affect how quickly it is excreted from their body. Those who use the drug for a longer period generally require a longer period to remove the drug from their body.
• Liver and kidneys health – Xanax tend to linger longer in the bodies of individuals with a pre existing liver or kidney illness. This is because both organs are important for excreting toxins from the body ¹⁴.

The following is an estimated range of times, or detection windows, during which Xanax can be detected by various testing methods –

• alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines, so it’s not a good idea to drink while you’re taking them,
• benzodiazepines can also interact with one another, so it’s not a good idea to take Xanax/alprazolam if you are already taking something similar. If in doubt, check with a doctor,
• if you’ve been prescribed Xanax/alprazolam and you notice a tolerancethis is the process by which the receptors in your brain become habituated to the action of a drug. When tolerance is reached, more of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. With benzodiazepines, and probably with many other classes of drugs as well, tolerance is virtually always associated with some degree of physical dependence. If you find that you are experiencing tolerance, this is a clear warning sign that you may have formed a dependence. More starting to develop (you need to keep taking more to get the same effect) speak to your doctor – don’t just start increasing your dose yourself,
• don’t suddenly stop taking them, or you may start to experience symptoms of withdrawal – these can range from a return of your original symptoms (possibly even worse than before) to totally new symptoms,
• if you have become addicted to Xanax, the symptoms of abruptly stopping are likely to be even worse – it’s important to get proper medical advice on how to reduce your intake slowly,
• it’s also possible to become psychologically dependent on the drug (feeling like you need it all the time) – if you think this is happening, see your doctor as soon as possible, but don’t suddenly stop taking it ¹.

When on high doses of benzodiazepines, users are likely to black out and potentially hurt themselves through a variety of adventures ⁶.

Alprazolam was one of a raft of drugs created by Dr Jackson B. Hester Jr. for the Upjohn Company (now part of Pfizer), who applied for the patent in 1969. It was granted in 1976, and alprazolam was first marketed in 1981. The patent expired in 1993, and whilst Pfizer still hold the trade name ‘Xanax’, a number of generic variants have since come on to the market. Some illegal producers of alprazolam use Xanax logos and typography in an attempt to make their product look genuine.

The recreational use of the drug has been recorded since the earliest days of its release. Its efficacy as a sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More means it has been widely prescribed, and the quick build-up of tolerancethis is the process by which the receptors in your brain become habituated to the action of a drug. When tolerance is reached, more of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. With benzodiazepines, and probably with many other classes of drugs as well, tolerance is virtually always associated with some degree of physical dependence. If you find that you are experiencing tolerance, this is a clear warning sign that you may have formed a dependence. More has meant many who started taking it under doctors’ guidance have been driven to obtaining it illegally in order to sustain their increased needs. As such, and as with other benzodiazepines, there is a small but specialised market in its illicit supply ¹.

Alprazolam was first released by Upjohn, under the brand name Xanax. The patent was filed in October 1969, granted in October of 1976, and expired in September of 1993. It was first released in 1981, for the treatment of panic disorders ⁶.