Alprazolam-GA

Alprazolam (al-PRAZ-oh-lam)

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Alprazolam-GA. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Alprazolam-GA against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Alprazolam-GA is used for

Alprazolam-GA belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. These medicines are thought to work by their action on brain chemicals.

Alprazolam-GA has sedative effects and is used to treat:

• anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the normal stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with medicines.
• panic attacks

Your doctor may have prescribed Alprazolam-GA for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Alprazolam-GA has been prescribed for you.

In general, benzodiazepines such as Alprazolam-GA should be taken for short periods only (for example 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long-term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Before you take Alprazolam-GA

When you must not take it

Do not take Alprazolam-GA if you have had an allergic reaction to Alprazolam-GA or any other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• rash, itching or hives on the skin

If you are not sure if you have an allergy to Alprazolam-GA check with your doctor.

Do not take Alprazolam-GA if you:

• suffer from severe muscle weakness known as myasthenia gravis
• have severe and chronic lung disease

Do not take Alprazolam-GA if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Alprazolam-GA may pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness and/or feeding difficulties in the infant. Alprazolam-GA is not recommended for use while breast-feeding.

Do not take Alprazolam-GA if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering or if the tablets do not look quite right.

Do not take Alprazolam-GA if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

Do not give this medicine to children unless advised by the child's doctor. The safety and effectiveness of Alprazolam-GA in children has not been established.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking Alprazolam-GA, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to:

• any other medicines
• any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Like most benzodiazepines, Alprazolam-GA is not generally recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Alprazolam-GA during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any other medical conditions including:

• depression
• psychosis or schizophrenia (mental conditions)
• memory loss
• epilepsy (fits or convulsions)
• liver, kidney or lung disease
• glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
• low blood pressure
• previous problems with addiction to medicines

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly. Alcohol may increase the effects of Alprazolam-GA.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Alprazolam-GA.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and Alprazolam-GA may interfere with each other. These include:

• sedatives (medicines used to produce calmness or to help you sleep)
• medicines to control fits
• antipsychotics (medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions)
• medicines for depression
• muscle relaxants
• antihistamines (medicines used to prevent or relieve the symptoms of allergy such as hay fever)
• anaesthetics
• cimetidine (a medicine used to treat reflux and ulcers)
• disulfiram (a medicine used in the treatment of alcoholism)
• antibiotics such as erythromycin
• oral contraceptives
• lithium (a medicine used to treat mood swings and some types of depression)
• atropine and similar medicines
• medicines for treating HIV
• narcotic analgesics

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.

You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you. They may also have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Alprazolam-GA.

How to take Alprazolam-GA

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the directions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

Take Alprazolam-GA exactly as directed by your doctor.

How much to take

The dose of Alprazolam-GA will be different for each person. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you.

How to take it

Swallow Alprazolam-GA tablets with a glass of water.

When to take it

Your doctor will tell you how many times a day you should take your Alprazolam-GA tablets.

Alprazolam-GA tablets can be taken immediately after food or on an empty stomach. However, side effects such as sleepiness may be reduced if you take the tablets immediately after food.

How long to take it

Take Alprazolam-GA tablets for as long as your doctor recommends it and no longer.

Usually, Alprazolam-GA should be used for short periods only (for example, 2-4 weeks). Continuous long-term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking Alprazolam-GA as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Alprazolam-GA.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Also report any other medicine or alcohol that has been taken. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.

If you take too much Alprazolam-GA you may feel drowsy, tired, dizzy, confused, irritable, weak or become unconscious.

While you are taking Alprazolam-GA

Things you must do

Use Alprazolam-GA exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Alprazolam-GA.

If you feel that Alprazolam-GA is not helping your condition, tell your doctor.

If you become pregnant while you are taking Alprazolam-GA, tell your doctor.

Visit your doctor regularly. Your doctor needs to check your progress and see whether you need to keep taking Alprazolam-GA.

Always discuss with your doctor any problems or difficulties during or after taking Alprazolam-GA.

If you are being treated for anxiety, be sure to discuss with your doctor any problems you may have and how you feel, especially if your anxiety attacks are getting worse or more frequent. This will help your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken Alprazolam-GA exactly as prescribed. Otherwise your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.

Keep enough Alprazolam-GA to last weekends and holidays.

Things you must not do

Do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy, dizzy or not alert until you know how Alprazolam-GA affects you. Alprazolam-GA may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people and therefore may affect alertness.

Even if you take Alprazolam-GA at night, you may still be drowsy or dizzy the next day.

Do not take Alprazolam-GA for a longer time than your doctor has prescribed. Alprazolam-GA should be taken for short periods only (for example 2 to 4 weeks), unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

Do not stop taking Alprazolam-GA or lower the dose, without first checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause some unwanted effects. You and your doctor will slowly reduce your dose of Alprazolam-GA before you can stop taking it completely.

Do not suddenly stop taking Alprazolam-GA if you suffer from epilepsy. Stopping this medicine suddenly may make your epilepsy worse.

Do not take Alprazolam-GA to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give Alprazolam-GA to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

Things to be careful of

Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Alprazolam-GA. Combining Alprazolam-GA and alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or lightheaded. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid alcohol or reduce the amount of alcohol you drink while you are taking Alprazolam-GA.

Be careful if you are elderly, unwell or taking other medicines. Some people may experience side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and unsteadiness, which may increase the risk of a fall.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while taking Alprazolam-GA, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.

Alprazolam-GA helps most people with anxiety or panic attacks, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.

All medicines may have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you.

• drowsiness, tiredness
• dizziness, lightheadedness
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• slurred speech
• headache
• These side effects are usually mild.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• blurred vision
• mood changes
• trouble sleeping
• nervousness/anxiety
• tremor
• changes in weight
• memory problems
• coordination problems
• agitation
• concentration difficulties
• confusion
• hallucinations (seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there)
• irritability
• loss of appetite
• changes in libido
• irregular menstrual periods
• incontinence

These are less common side effects of Alprazolam-GA.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
• skin rash
• problems with muscle tone
• inability or difficulty passing urine

These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Other side effects not listed above also may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell when you are taking, or soon after you have finished taking Alprazolam-GA.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don’t understand anything in this list.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

After using AlprazolamGA

Storage

Keep your tablets in their packaging until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the packaging they may not keep well.

Keep your Alprazolam-GA tablets in a cool dry place protected from light where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store it, or any other medicines in a bathroom or near a sink.

Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep your tablets where children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Alprazolam-GA or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets left over.

Product description

What it looks like

Alprazolam-GA 1 mg tablets: oval, blue, biconvex tablets, scored and engraved “APO” over “1” on one side, other side plain; 50’s

Alprazolam-GA 2 mg tablets: white, rectangular, flat-faced on one side tablet. Engraved “APO 2” with centre partial bisect and two bisects. Deep centre bisect with sloped faces toward two bisects; 50’s

Ingredients

Active ingredient:

• alprazolam (1 mg or 2 mg per tablet).

Other ingredients:

• cellulose - microcrystalline
• lactose
• croscarmellose sodium
• magnesium stearate
• indigo carmine CI 73015 (contained in the 1 mg tablets only)

Alprazolam-GA tablets do not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Supplier

www.genepharm.com.au
Genepharm Pty Ltd
151-153 Clarendon St
South Melbourne Vic. 3205

For further information call 1800 554 414

Alprazolam-GA 1 mg tablet blister pack
AUST R 82798

Alprazolam-GA 2 mg tablet bottle
AUST R 82799

This leaflet was amended in July 2009

Published by MIMS/myDr January 2010

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