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Summary of Alprazolam generic form of Xanax.  It is gluten free.  I learned it is a strong medicine, highly additive and causes droziness (the doctor already told me it was an ant-depressant).  Seems to be used a lot for sleeping.  Below are the individual replies.  Thank you to everyone for your help and information.  Rita
 
It is GF.  I have taken it without issues also.
 
I used it for the same reason and pretty sure it is...my pharmacist said he didn't see a problem with it. I don't take it any more – but it was a good drug - really helps relax the pms stress symptoms.
 
I take alprazolam almost every evening for sleep anxiety, .25mg. now for about 4 yrs.  it is gluten free but not lactose free.  I have developed casein/lactose sensitivity over the 4 years since I’ve been diagnosed celiac, but it does not bother me; must be a very small amount of lactose.  Alprazolam is habit forming.  Be careful not to take more than the dr. prescribed.  If taken regularly you may require a higher dose over time, unless you can keep yourself in check like I do.  Alprazolam comes in various strengths, .25mg being the lowest.  If your dr. is recommending .25mg twice a day when you have pms, at first you will be very sleepy.  Be prepared to nap when first starting on it.  The onset of action happens rather quickly, like 15 min. to ½ hr.  I was initially prescribed alprazolam for difficulty sleeping due to sleep anxiety (racing thoughts/worry at bedtime).  It is an anti-anxiety drug, much like valium but safer.  Even at a low dose of .25 mg, twice a day, you may find, will really zonk you out.  Once a day should be enough at first.  This drug works great for me.   
 
I have taken Alprazolam for about five years.  I started taking it due to my fear of flying.  I became Celiac about 2 1/2 yrs ago.  Due to the fact that I live in a rural area no one understands Celiac very well and know one knew enough to tell me to check my prescription drugs.  I continued to take Alprazolam for another nine months before someone asked me if it was okay to since I have Celiac's.  At that time I did check with a very helpful pharmist and after many phones calls back and forth with the maker it was 
determined to be gluten free.  I still take it, now on a daily basis and I have no side affects what so ever.  In addition I had female problems while I was taking it and it did not help my symptoms at all.  I ended up having surgery and I now feel the best I have in five years.
 
Xanax is an anti anxiety drug like Valium.  It is a benzodiazepine, and therefore can be HIGHLY addictive.  I have not heard of it being used for PMS, but I am not A Dr.  I have taken it for flying - I HATE to fly, and it is wonderful for that.  I simply sleep through the whole flight.  It makes you sleepy and very relaxed.  Sometimes that is exactly what you need, but sometimes it can be tempting to over use it.  There are other drugs that have less likelihood of dependency.  Have you tried anything else first?  As
far as it being GF - I found the manufacturer and contacted them.  The one I took was GF.
 
I am not sure if it is GF, however, I take this occasionaly and have no side-effects from it.  This shoud work really wel for PMS as I used it for bi-polar until they figured out (many years ago) what the probem was (kinda like the CD-diagnosis took a lifetime).
 
My husband takes Alprazolam and he does not have any problems, but as your know everyone is different.  He is very sensitive to foods and medications.
 
Years ago my pharmacist told me it was GF.  But then again he said something like yours did!  I never checked it out further!

I have never used it for PMS I use it strictly for a sleep aid every once in a while.  My concern is that it does have the ability to kind of knock you on your behind.....  I would be leary of myself to take it two times a day.  Maybe I just react differently to it?
 
I take alprazolam to fly - for anxiety - it makes me feel sedated.  I was told about 1 year ago it was gluten free.  I haven't ever heard about using it for PMS, so would you summarize? 
 
My only problem with it is it doesn't come in lactose free variety anymore.

When I started taking it again to help me with sleep, the sleeping pills hyped me up, my spouse diligently tried to find a brand, generic or otherwise without lactose but for the dosage I was taking none could be 
found milk free my spouse never mention any to have the other bad things as wheat/gluten, I couldn't get away from the starch or corn starch though.
 
The best way to be sure is to get the phone # of the manufacturer and call them. Drugs like that are made by several manufacturers and you can't tell from a list even if you have the generic name.  In Calif the
manufacturer's name is on the bottle.
 
If the manufacturer is Mylan (the pill will have the name imprinted on it) then it's OK.  Here's their number if you want to check yourself. 1-800-RX-MYLAN  Alprazolam is an anti-anxiety medication, so it will make
you calm and maybe a little sleepy.  The best thing to do is start with half of a pill your first dosage so you know how it affects you.
 
I have been taking it for years so I can sleep. I have cancer. It is gluten free but has a bit of lactose in it. It doesn't seem to bother me and relaxes me.  What is the dosage? You get very tired from it if you take .5 mg. Maybe you have .25 mg? Ro
 
USED to have difficult periods.  Then I met Carlton Fredericks, the grand-daddy of American nutritonists.  He advocated all women to take 2 things.  Every woman should take cal/mag supplements.  Twin Labs Tri Boron plus.  Take 2 pill morning and 2 at night.  This stops cramps and strengthens your bones.  The other thing to take is 50mg of all B vitamins. He explained that if you have a heavy period...in other words one that lasts more than 3 days..you are anemic which again causes a heavier period.  The lack of calcium causes the cramps.  I had my daughter take these supplements and SHE HAS NEVER HAD A CRAMP OR PMS.  Her period lasts 3 days.
 
Why is your gynecologist prescribing an anti anxiety medication for PMS? Not a good plan. This stuff is pretty addictive so be careful.
 
Yes, it is gluten-free.  I've been on it for years.
 
 

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