Nurse Teaching on Precautions to be Exercised While Taking Alprazolam

 Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Alprazolam as follows:

1. Follow closely on the expiration date of the medication. If using a pillbox, check the expiration date on the medication container every time you fill the pillbox. If you are taking this medication for longer periods of time, set reminders on your phone, one 10 days ahead, the next a week ahead, and then every day, before you run out of the medication. This helps with securing the refill in time and making arrangements for pick-up at the pharmacy. Also, you can avoid the unpleasant withdrawal response from sudden discontinuation of medication due to running out on the medication.
2. Alprazolam use, especially on empty stomach, can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting. Taking dose of Alprazolam with a glass of water, after having some food or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
3. Alprazolam can also induce extreme dry mouth and constipation. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with relief from constipation. If you experience any further bothersome constipation, report it to your physician for a recommendation on laxative/stool softener use. Observing compliance with fiber intake recommendations in the diet can also help with preventing episodes of constipation with the medication.
4. Individuals develop tolerance to the dose of Alprazolam 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.