Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while using Xanax as follows:
- Xanax use in expectant mothers could harm the unborn baby and result in birth defects. So, Xanax use should be avoided during pregnancy and in women planning to get pregnant. Women in the child bearing age group, taking Xanax on a regular basis, must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant.
- Xanax use, especially in individuals with history of anxiety and bipolar disorder, can sometimes result in exacerbation of depressive symptoms, hallucinations, changes in behavior, irritability, compromised sexual drive, and provoke thoughts of suicide. Individuals taking Xanax can also present compromised memory and forgetfulness. Report any deterioration of symptoms of mood disorder immediately to your physician, so that, a change in plan of care could be considered.
- Individuals develop tolerance to the dose of Xanax with diminished therapeutic response over time. Report to your physician regarding any blunting of therapeutic response, with poorly controlled anxiety episodes, seizures, muscle cramps, nervousness, irritability, restlessness and insomnia. Your physician could consider a change in the plan of care to provide the desired therapeutic relief.
