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Xanax

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Submitted By jayse0904
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Alprazolam (Xanax)
RNSG 2213 Mental Health Nursing

History Upjohn laboratories in Michigan developed Xanax in the 70’s. Xanax was first approved by the FDA as an antidepressant, but the FDA came back and told Upjohn that they could distribute it as an antianxiety drug. Pharmacia acquired Upjohn and continued to manufacture Xanax. Xanax is now produced by Pfizer, the company that acquired Pharmacia (PMMEDIA, 2009).
Usage
Xanax is used to treat people with anxiety disorder. This medication is not recommended for people just dealing with stress or anxiety from everyday stressors. Panic disorders are the other medical use for Xanax (Fda/cder, 2011). While it was developed for medical purposes, the drug is now used illegally. People seek Xanax for a high, which is also called euphoria (Hartney, 2011).
Intended Effect Anxiety and panic disorders are a mental illness that must be addressed with medication to help the individual cope with everyday life. The effect Xanax was designed to have, is to calm the individual. By calming the individual they relax and it suppresses the anxiety and panic they may be feeling. It was also intended to give the individual a feeling of euphoria (Hartney, 2011).
Side effects Many side effects are associated with Xanax. It can cause dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, disorientation, anger, euphoria, restlessness, confusion, crying, delirium, headache, stupor, rigidy, tremor, vivid dreams, extrapyramidal symptoms and parethesia in the CNS. It can also cause blurred vision, dysphagia, dry mouth, urinary retention, gynecomastia, joint pain, rash, and edema. The adverse side effects are hepatic dysfunction, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia (Schull, 2011, p. 47-48).
Action
Xanax is in a pharmacologic class called plasminogen activator. Its therapeutic class is thrombolytic. The action is when it converts plasminogen to plasmin. Plasmin breaks down fibrin and fibrinogen, which dissolves thrombus (Schull, 2011, p. 47-48).

References
Fda/cder (2011, August 24). XANAX® alprazolam tablets, USP. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/018276s045lbl.pdf
Hartney, E. (2011, September 16). What is Xanax. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://addictions.about.com/od/coexistingdisorders/g/What-Is-Xanax.htm
PMMEDIA (2009, June 12). PMMedia - Xanax -The Full Story. Retrieved November 11 2013, from http://www.pmmedia.com/Xanax.htm
Schull, P. D. (2011). McGraw-Hill Nurse's drug handbook (6th ed.) (p. 47-48). New York, N.Y: McGraw-Hill Medical.

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