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Symptoms
How Common Are They?

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According to the National Institute of Mental Health (in 1999), approximately 2.4 million Americans age 18 to 54 suffer from panic disorder in a given year. That's about 1.7% of the adult US population. About one third of those develop "agoraphobia"—fear of being in public places. And just like generalized anxiety disorder, women are twice as likely as men to develop panic disorder.

Panic disorder typically strikes in young adulthood, beginning in the late teen years or early to mid-20s. About half of all people who have panic disorder develop it before the age of 24. Although in most cases a panic attack is spontaneous and unexpected, sometimes, but not always, a stressful event, such as a divorce or death of a parent, can also trigger an attack.

Possible Causes >>

Important Safety Information: XANAX XR should not be used if you are allergic to benzodiazepines, have a condition called acute narrow angle glaucoma, or are taking the anti-fungal medications ketoconazole or itraconazole. XANAX XR is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Therefore, let your doctor know if you are pregnant, if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you become pregnant while you are taking this medication. Let your doctor know if you are nursing.

The most common side effect is sedation, but this often decreases or goes away in most people after their bodies get used to the drug. Until you experience how XANAX XR affects you, do not drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery, etc. Other common side effects, which occur in fewer patients, include sleepiness, memory impairment, impaired speech, abnormal coordination and/or muscle action, and reduced sexual drive. Some patients may experience side effects associated with psychological and/or physical dependence on XANAX XR. Medications like XANAX XR, even when used as recommended, may produce psychological and/or physical dependence. This may make it very difficult to discontinue treatment with XANAX XR. Discontinuation symptoms, including the possibility of seizures, may occur following abrupt discontinuation from any dose, but the risk may be increased with extended use at doses greater than 4 mg/day. It is important that you get your doctor's advice on how to discontinue treatment safely and carefully. Gradually tapering your XANAX XR dose will help to decrease the possibility of discontinuation symptoms.

For more information, see important safety information.


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