Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Xanax XR as follows:
- Do not share Xanax XR pills with family and friends. Xanax XR intake can be habit-forming and carries an abuse potential. The risk for addiction and abuse can be even higher, especially in individuals with history of substance abuse. Keep a regular track of the number of pills left in your pillbox, to prevent a chance for abuse. Count your pills every day, especially if you have friends and family members around, with history of drug abuse. Xanax XR must be used with extreme caution or avoided in individuals with drug abuse history. Report any abuse of medication to your physician immediately and seek intervention.
- Continue taking Xanax XR, as recommended, even if you obtain relief from the presenting symptoms and your mood feels better. Discontinuing the medication abruptly, without your physician’s recommendation, can result in disruption of chemical balance in the brain, resulting in worsening of mood disorder and severe withdrawal symptoms. Discontinuing the medication should be gradual and only as recommended by your physician. Individuals, on sudden withdrawal of Xanax XR, can present with complaints such as, exacerbation of anxiety episodes, precipitation of seizures, muscle spasms and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms of insomnia, impulsiveness, agitation, hallucinations, mania, and suicidal thoughts. Report any development of and/or deterioration of symptoms of mood disorder following Xanax XR withdrawal, immediately to your physician, so that, a change in plan of care could be considered.
