Xanax , is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine drug family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other) that inhibits activity in the brain. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may cause anxiety or other psychiatric disorders. The FDA approved alprazolam in October 1981.

Almost 77 percent of Xanax users report drowsiness when they take their prescription. Almost half users claimed that these symptoms were extreme, listing their symptoms as fatigue. These symptoms can get better as your body gets used to the medication, but you may need to adjust your prescription if your symptoms are severe.

Other common symptoms that Xanax users report include coordination issues occurring in approximately 40 percent of users, irritability in 33 percent of users, memory issues in 33 percent of users and decreased appetite in nearly 33 percent of users. Other patients have reported speech problems, changes in sex drive, talkativeness, unusual dreams, constipation, increases salivation, weight loss, dry mouth, menstrual changes or nasal congestion. In most cases these side effects were not severe and did not result in the patient ceasing to use their medication. If you develop any of these symptoms, discuss it with your doctor to determine whether or not you need to adjust your mediation.