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Tenex vs. Xanax

 

Are Tenex and Xanax the Same Thing?

Tenex (guanfacine hydrochloride) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat anxiety.

Tenex is used off-label to treat anxiety. Tenex is primarily used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension).

Xanax is also prescribed to treat panic attacks.

Tenex and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Tenex is an antihypertensive drug and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.

Side effects of Tenex and Xanax that are similar include dry mouth, sleepiness/drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, headache, constipation, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects of Tenex that are different from Xanax include fatigue and impotence.

Side effects of Xanax that are different from Tenex include tiredness, memory problems, poor balance or coordination, slurred speech, trouble concentrating, irritability, diarrhea, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, blurred vision, appetite or weight changes, swelling in your hands or feet, stuffy nose, or loss of interest in sex.

Both Tenex and Xanax may interact with other products that cause drowsiness (such as alcohol, cold or allergy medicines that contain antihistamines, drugs for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and medicines for seizures, depression, or anxiety), or antifungals.

Tenex may also interact with rifamycins, cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, antibiotics, barbiturates, heart or blood pressure medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines.

Do not stop using Xanax suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Tenex?

Side effects of Tenex include:

  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • stomach pain,
  • loss of appetite,
  • shaking,
  • muscle stiffness,
  • weight gain,
  • mask-like facial expression,
  • inability to keep still,
  • restlessness,
  • agitation,
  • blurred vision,
  • breast swelling or discharge,
  • missed menstrual periods,
  • decreased sex drive,
  • impotence, or
  • difficulty having an orgasm.

Tell your doctor right if you experience serious side effects of Tenex including:

  • drooling,
  • trouble swallowing,
  • fainting,
  • signs of infection (such as persistent cough, fever)
  • fast or uneven or pounding heartbeats;
  • agitation, hostility, confusion, thoughts about hurting yourself,
  • seizures (convulsions),
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms,
  • sores in your mouth and throat,
  • high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss),
  • very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, tremors, feeling like you might pass out, or
  • twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Xanax?

  • Drowsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Sleep problems (insomnia)
  • Memory problems
  • Poor balance or coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Increased sweating
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Blurred vision
  • Appetite or weight changes
  • Swelling in your hands or feet
  • Muscle weakness
  • Dry mouth
  • Stuffy nose
  • Loss of interest in sex

What Is Tenex?

Tenex (lurasidone hydrochloride) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety in adults. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder in adults with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).

 

What Drugs Interact With Tenex?

Tenex may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety), antibiotics, antifungal medications, or medications to treat HIV or AIDS.

Tenex may also interact with diltiazem or rifamycins.

What Drugs Interact With Xanax?

Xanax may interact with cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for depression or anxiety, antibiotics, antifungal medicines, antidepressants, and barbiturates. Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and seizure medications.

Do not take Xanax if you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in Xanax. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Xanax. you are taking antifungal medicines including ketoconazole and itraconazole.

Do not stop using Xanax without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Xanax suddenly.

 

How Should Tenex Be Taken?

The recommended starting dose of Tenex is 40 mg once daily, and it has been shown to be effective in a dose range of 40 mg/day to 160 mg/day.

How Should Xanax Be Taken?

Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it. If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death.

Xanax can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Xanax affects you.

Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Xanax without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Xanax may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.

Do not take more Xanax than prescribed.