Alprazolam Dosing

Alprazolam dosing for anxiety treatment typically starts at 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg three times a day. It is generally recommended that elderly people and people with other health problems start with a lower alprazolam dose, such as 0.25 mg two or three times daily. Most people require a higher alprazolam dosage for the treatment of panic disorder; but in order to prevent side effects, your healthcare provider may start you with a low dose (such as 0.4 mg three times a day).

 

An Introduction to Alprazolam Dosage

The dose of alprazolam (Xanax®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Your age.
     
As always, do not adjust your alprazolam dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
Alprazolam Dosing for Anxiety
The recommended starting alprazolam dose for anxiety treatment is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg three times daily. Your healthcare provider may increase your dosage slowly (if necessary) to control your anxiety symptoms or decrease your dose if you experience bothersome side effects of alprazolam.
 
Elderly people and people with other health problems may be more sensitive to the effects of alprazolam. For elderly people or those with liver disease or other serious health problems, the recommended starting alprazolam dose for anxiety is 0.25 mg two or three times daily.
 
Alprazolam Dosing for Panic Disorder
Higher alprazolam dosages are often necessary to control the symptoms of panic disorder. However, it is recommended that you start with a low dose, such as alprazolam 0.5 mg three times daily. Your healthcare provider can slowly increase your dose if necessary. Starting with a low dose and slowly increasing to an effective dose helps prevent bothersome alprazolam side effects.
 
(Alprazolam Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;