According to Mayo Clinic, a panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying.
Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends. But if you’ve had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.
Although panic attacks themselves aren’t life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. But treatment can be very effective.
Panic attack symptoms
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) defines a panic attack as “an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes.”
Panic attacks produce intense fear that begins suddenly, often with no warning. An attack typically lasts for 5 to 20 minutes. In extreme cases, symptoms may last for more than 1 hour. The experience is different for everyone, and symptoms often vary.
Common symptoms associated with a panic attack include:
• racing heart rate or palpitations
• shortness of breath
• feeling like you’re choking
• dizziness or vertigo
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• sweating or chills
• shaking or trembling
• changes in your mental state, like a feeling of derealization (feeling of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
• numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or face
• chest pain or tightness
• fear that you might die
Sometimes a panic attack is triggered by a specific event or external stimulus. Other times, the symptoms of a panic attack occur for no clear reason. Typically, the symptoms are not proportionate to the level of danger that exists in your environment.
Because of their unpredictable nature, panic attacks can significantly affect your everyday life. Some people experience panic attacks at work, in public with friends, or even at home.
You may have a panic disorder if you’ve had four or more panic attacks, or you live in fear of having another panic attack after experiencing one. In order to meet the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder, you must experience unexpected panic attacks.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a brand of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Generic Xanax is also available as the brand-name medications Xanax and Xanax XR. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generic blue, green, and yellow Xanax are considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug but tend to cost less.
Xanax is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders and anxiety caused by depression. Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).
Xanax is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Xanax should be kept in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Xanax may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
How Much Xanax To Take For Panic Attacks?
For panic disorder, an initial dose of 0.5 mg of Xanax is administered orally, three times a day. This dose can be increased every three to four days. The maintenance dose of Xanax is between 1 mg to 10 mg per day in divided doses (with an average dose ranging between 5 mg to 6 mg per day).
Xanax is readily-absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It has a rapid onset of action and a bioavailability of 80% to 90%. About 80% of Xanax binds to albumin in the blood. The peak serum concentration is reached in one to two hours for immediate-release tablets and nine hours for extended-release tablets.
People with panic disorder may begin experiencing the effects of Xanax within 5 to 10 minutes of taking the pill. Almost everyone will feel the effects of the drug within an hour. The drug is metabolized in the liver and removed from the body in the urine.
What are the side effects of Xanax?
Common side effects of Xanax include:
- Appetite or weight changes
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Increased sweating
- Irritability
- Loss of interest in sex
- Memory problems
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Poor balance or coordination
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Slurred speech
- Stuffy nose
- Swelling in your hands or feet
- Tiredness
- Trouble concentrating
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
Xanax may cause other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
