Infant Ingested Xanax Tablet. Should I Be Worried?
thanks for the query.
I understand completely how you feel and i encourage you to be strong. The active substance of xanax is alprazolam which belongs to group of drugs called benzodiazepines and which are are used as a psychoaffective drugs. Alprazolam possesses anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, and amnestic properties. These properties could be severe in case of over dose with deterioration of breathing and nervous functions that could be fatal.
Alprazolam peaks in blood about one to two hours after ingestion and the half life is about 6 to 27 hours with an average of 11 hours. One to two hours following the ingestion is very important in the follow-up as the drug peaks in blood and over dose effects are likely to occur then. In case of over dose which is the main fear, you will observe;
-the child will be in a persistent sleepy state or in coma not responding to pain stimulus and with shallow breathing associated with reduced breathing rate (which is the main thing to watch out i.e. respiratory suppression).
However, a quick reflex to do is to rush the child to the ER for a gastric lavage and for monitoring during the period that the drug is suppose to be in blood i.e. 12 to 24 hours so that in case if any complications immediate attention should be given.
Hope this answers your query. If you have more query i will be ready to answer. Best regards and wish the best to your baby.
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