What Is Alp?
Alp tablet, you may have heard the name of this medicine if you or someone in your family has anxiety. Healthcare providers commonly prescribe it for anxiety disorders such as social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others.
Alp Tablet Uses
Alp has various uses, but most commonly, it is used to relax your mind. It functions as a tranquilizer and is commonly used for the treatment of anxiety. It affects the levels of neurotransmitters – chemicals that serve a role in communication in the brain.
Alp relaxes your brain by altering the neurotransmitters- the chemicals in the brain. It works by facilitating and enhancing the binding of GABA- an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain to its receptors. Therefore, it slows down the hyperactivity of the brain. Alp is also used in the treatment of the following conditions:
- Seizures and status epilepticus
- Management of alcohol withdrawal reactions
- Sedation for surgeries
- Short-term treatment of severe, disabling, or distressing anxiety
- Short-term treatment of severe, disabling, or distressing insomnia (difficulty in falling asleep)
How To Take An Alp Tablet?
It is always best to take an alp tablet sometime before going to bed and when you have enough time to sleep. You can take it on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before having food. Swallow it whole with water. Do not chew or crush the tablet. Take it one to two hours before bedtime because it causes sedation and helps you sleep better.
Follow the dose and frequency as advised by the doctor. Do not alter it as it can lead to other problems. Before stopping its use, you must consult with a healthcare provider.
What Are The Available Forms Of Alp?
Alp is available in tablet form.
What Are The Available Dosage Strengths Of Alp?
The available dosage strengths of Alp are;
- 0.25mg tablet
- 0.5mg tablet
- 1mg tablet
What Is The Daily Dose Of Alp?
The daily dose of an Alp tablet may vary from person to person. The healthcare providers will prescribe it depending on the severity of the condition. Therefore follow the dose your healthcare provider has prescribed. The daily dose of Alp tablet for an adult is:
- 0.25 to 0.5 mg orally administered 3 times a day
The maximum dose of Alp tablet that you can take in the whole day is:
- Maximum dose: 4 mg/day
What Are The Side Effects of Alp Tablet?
Generally, people can tolerate Alp well. But it may show side effects like:
- Fatigue
- Double vision
- Muscle weakness
- Reduced alertness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Numbness of emotions
- Decrease in appetite
- Loss of concentration
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Dermatitis
- Sexual dysfunction
If you have any of the above-mentioned side effects with the Alp tablet, please do not stop taking it on your own. Instead, consult with a healthcare provider. They can guide you about it.
What Is The Formula Of Alp?
The formula of Alp is alprazolam. It is a tranquilizer that relaxes your brain.
What Are The Alternate Brands To Alp?
You can easily find alternatives to the Alp tablet. Their names are:
- Pinix
- Axal
- Hilaxin
What Are The Available Forms Of Alp?
Alp is available as a tablet dosage form.
How Is Alp Classified?
Alp is classified as an anxiolytic and tranquilizer that belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It works by slowing down the hyperactivity of the brain, hence helping in the treatment of anxiety and epilepsy.
What Are The Risks And Warnings For Alp?
There are some cases and conditions in which Alp is not recommended. Your doctor will review your medical history to decide if Alp is right for you. Following are the risks and warnings of Alp:
Hypersensitivity or allergy
If you have had an allergic reaction with Alp or with any other benzodiazepine-like diazepam or bromazepam, please do not take it. Doing that may cause an allergic reaction that can be fatal. Always inform your healthcare provider about the documented allergies you have.
Anaphylactic shock is a rare but severe allergic reaction, that if not treated at the right time, can be life-threatening. It shows the signs and symptoms such as hives, pale skin, labored breathing, itching, excessive salivation, feeling too warm, a weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, sneezing, swollen lips and tongue, wheezing, dizziness, low blood pressure, and tingling hands, feet, mouth, or scalp.
Respiratory impairment
If you have any respiratory problems, you should use Alp with caution as it can worsen the condition.
Neuromuscular disease
If you have a neuromuscular disease like myasthenia gravis, do not take Alp as it can worsen the condition.
Liver failure
If your liver functioning is compromised, or you have liver failure, do not take Alp, as it may cause hepatic encephalopathy- a disease of the liver that affects the brain and its functioning.
It is because your liver helps in the metabolism and excretion of drugs. When it does not work efficiently due to any disease, it can cause an accumulation of the drug in your body, leading to severe adverse effects.
Elderly
Older people should take Alp with caution or in lower doses, as they are more susceptible to its adverse effects.
Sleep apnea
If you have sleep apnea, do not take Alp. When you take it, your mind and body get relaxed, due to which muscles of your throat also get relaxed. Those relaxed muscles eventually worsen sleep apnea by obstructing the respiratory tract.
Abrupt withdrawal
Please do not stop taking Alp abruptly because doing that can cause adverse effects. Your body can become dependent on it if you have been taking it for a long time. Therefore, abrupt withdrawal may show adverse effects. Generally, your healthcare provider will prescribe it for a short time due to its habit-forming tendency. If you want to stop taking it, decrease the dose slowly, and leave it gradually. Always consult with your healthcare provider before stopping it.
Narrow-angle glaucoma
Alprazolam may increase the pressure inside your eye, which can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma. Therefore, do not take it if you have glaucoma, as it can cause a vision-threatening condition.
What Are The Drug Interactions of Alp?
Alp may interact with the following drugs and substances. A drug interaction does not mean you stop taking the medicine on your own. But you must tell your healthcare provider about it.
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Amiodarone
- Diltiazem
- Macrolides
- Fluconazole
- Protease inhibitors
- Cimetidine
- Grapefruit juice
To avoid drug interactions, you must give a complete history to the healthcare provider about other health conditions you have and the medicines you have been taking. At times, a dose adjustment can help prevent drug interaction. Please do not stop taking the medication on your own. Instead, inform your healthcare provider. They can guide you and make the changes in the prescription.
Alp Tablet Price in Pakistan
The price of an Alp 0.5mg tablet in Pakistan is around Rs. 6.16 per tablet in the year 2022.
What Are The Storage Conditions For Alp?
The optimal storage conditions for Alp tablet are:
- Keep the product out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store it below 25° centigrade.
- Do not use it after the mentioned expiry date.
- Do not keep it in hot and humid places.
- Do not refrigerate.
Do You Need A Prescription To Buy Alp?
To buy an Alp tablet, you are required to show a valid and recent prescription from your doctor. Old ones may not work. Also, the pharmacist would dispense it in a limited amount.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are intended to raise awareness about common health issues and should not be viewed as sound medical advice for your specific condition. You should always consult with a licensed medical practitioner prior to following any suggestions outlined in this article or adopting any treatment protocol based on the contents of this article.