What is Xanax?
Xanax (generic: alprazolam) is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and nausea caused by chemotherapy. It belongs to the benzodiazepine class of psychoactive drugs which also includes Valium. Xanax was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981, and is currently manufactured and marketed by Pfizer Inc.
How Does it Work?
Xanax works by increasing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter responsible for reducing brain activity. Low levels of GABA have been linked to excessive brain activity, which is thought to be an underlying cause of anxiety. Xanax works to reduce this excessive brain activity by bringing a calming effect to the body.
What’s the Problem?
Xanax is a Schedule 4 (IV) drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, and is commonly considered to be one of the most misused legal prescription medications with the highest risk for abuse and addiction on the U.S. market.
Xanax Side Effects
- Memory problems
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Respiratory arrest
- Addiction
- Depressed mood
- Suicidal thoughts
- Unusual risk taking behavior
- Decreased inhibitions in dangerous situations
- Loss of sex drive
- Death
- And more
Xanax Addiction
Xanax is a common drug of abuse in teens and young adults, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). They often perceive Xanax as a “safe” drug and surveys indicate that more than 7% of high school seniors have abused sedative medications with nearly 5% of abuse occurring within the last year. Benzodiazepine overdose can be fatal and drugs like Xanax cause about 30% of overdose-related deaths each year.
Chronic benzodiazepine use can result in addiction, particularly so with Xanax as its quick action causes rapid feelings of euphoria which can result in increasingly high doses taken in a short period of time. Once a person becomes addicted to Xanax, changes in the brain mean that sudden discontinuation can have serious consequences which could result in life-threatening effects.
Do I Have a Xanax Lawsuit?
The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Xanax Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been injured by the side effects of Xanax, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.