2007-03-12 15:36:49 · 2 answers · asked by beachbum 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
I'm leaving this one for the voters. I have a pharmacist telling me "no," and others saying it has "some," which I always assumed as well. I thought, like some posters, that all benzos, from Librium to Halcion, all four "types," from Triazolo to Keto, had the same properties to different extents. E.g. Valium packs more of a sedative punch than Klonopin, and Ativan is better than either for status epilepticus, etc.....Oh well......Thanks to you all for the input.
2007-03-13 00:30:56 · update #1
Xanax (alprazolam) is generally reserved for anxiety and panic disorders and after an exhaustive search I could not find ANY reference to it being used for seizures. However, in acute alcohol withdrawal, alprazolam could be used to detox someone from alcohol and thereby prevent an alcohol-induced seizure, but after looking all over the Internet (I was curious after all, I learn a lot from answering questions) I could find no reference. However, Xanax withdrawal can produce seizures!
Other benzodiazepines are used for seizures, but not all that often. Klonopin (clonazepam) and rarely Valium (diazepam) have been used to treat seizures. Valium injectable is used for seizure emergencies in a hospital/EMS setting, but rarely, if ever on an outpatient basis for seizure disorders. Klonopin is used alone or with other meds in the treatment of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures. In patients with absence seizures (petit mal) who have failed to respond to succinimides, clonazepam may also be useful.
Sorry for all the scientific stuff, I hope this helps.
Rick the Pharmacist
2007-03-12 16:05:36 · answer #1 · answered by Rickydotcom 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does, however, Xanax (alprazolam) is not FDA labeled for use as an anticonvulsant.
Alprazolam like all benzodiazepines (which modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) receptors increasing the affinity for GABA), have anticonvulsant effets. Alprazolam probably has a higher affinity for the alpha-2 and alpha-3 receptor sub-class which yield better anti-anxiety results as opposed to the alpha-1 subunit, making it a poorer choice as an anitconvulsant.
2007-03-12 16:29:49 · answer #2 · answered by tickdhero 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All benzodiazepines, Xanax included, have some degree of anticonvulsant properties. Although Xanax is never prescribed as an anticonvulsant, it is safe to assume that it possesses some anticonvulsant properties.
2007-03-12 16:20:56 · answer #3 · answered by Tigereye 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, Xanax is only for the treatment of anxiety disorders and panic attacks, not for anticovulsion treatment.
2007-03-12 15:52:52 · answer #4 · answered by Twizard113 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO
2007-03-12 15:43:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋