Brief Answer:
Seizure

Detailed Answer:
Hello. My name is Dr. Saghafi. I am an adult neurologist and would like to give you some information. There is no such thing as Xanax "instant release" that I am aware of or that I can find. There is EXTENDED release if that's what you're talking about. What sorts of seizures are you trying to treat because this medication is not truly a first line antiseizure or anticonvulsive medication. It is indicated to use for anxiety and panic attacks and nausea due to chemotherapy.

Benzodiazepines can are used in infants to treat febrile seizures but I've never really heard of Xanax being used to treat seizures in adults. Unless you are referring to NONEPILEPTIFORM TYPES OF SEIZURES....then, yes, perhaps Xanax XR could be helpful. However, the time of onset of action of this medcation is 1-2 hrs. and dependent upon things such as the presence of food or not in the stomach as well as the presence of other medications if you're on anything. So, bottom line is there is really no FAST ROUTE in to the body by this medication more quickly than 1-2 hrs.

So since most auras or premonitory symptoms or phases to epileptic seizures is generally seconds...there is really no way I can see the use of Xanax Extended Release I don't see how this could work to stop EPILEPTIFORM seizures. If they are NON-EPILEPTIFORM then, perhaps.

I'd appreciate the favor of your providing a STAR RATING and some brief written feedback if your question have been satisfactorily answered. In addition, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end will also be most helpful.

Don't forget that my webpage to keep me abreast as to how you're doing is:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

This query has required a total of 14 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile the return envoy to the patient.

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Brief Answer:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Detailed Answer:
After some checking I believe what you're referring to is the form of Xanax known as IMMEDIATE RELEASE. There is no such branded product of INSTANT release so that's what caused the confusion.

It takes the IMMEDIATE release form of Xanax about 15-30 minutes to get into one's system while the extended release takes about 1 hr. or longer to start getting up to maximum serus concentrations.

But again, I'm not sure I understand why it is being prescribed as an antiseizure pill unless your seizures are of the nonepileptiform types of nonconvulsive events in which case I understand how stress and anxiety are believed to be highly correlative and therefore, if treated can help control these types of seizures. Otherwise, if you've got any other type of seizure then, Xanax is not likely to help very much.

I think the immediate release then, if using it in the constant of calming you down should be good...depending on how long it takes between your becomes very anxious or overly stressed and when you may have your event.

As always, I'd appreciate the favor of your providing a STAR RATING and some brief written feedback if your questions have been satisfactorily answered. In addition, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end will also be most helpful.

You can always reopen this line of questions or start a different set of questions by writing to me at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

This query has required a total of 23 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile the return envoy to the patient.

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Brief Answer:
Again please refer to my note above

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your return question. Please read above to see that I did mention that being able to guarantee effectiveness of your medication for what appear to be NONEPILEPTIFORM NONCONVULSVIE SEIZURE episodes such as what you describe is not possible. I do not know exactly what the timing is between when you start to feel anxious to when an episode or attack occurs. All I can really say is that time to action of a dose of IMMEDIATE RELEASE is 15-30 minutes. But this is actually variable since a number of things can prolong that time to action such as what type and how much food is in the stomach, other medications being taken, and timing of the dose with respect to the moment at which you feel something's coming on.

So, I don't really have a precise answer for your particular case. I would imagine that if your doctor believes it is useful then, that must be based upon their knowledge of how your seizures function and what type of time frame you have to work with....so you really should document things to be absolutely sure that your medication is truly working for it, right?

I wish you all the best and look forward to answering more questions for you in the future. This is the 3rd question in the initial set and therefore, may I request that you CLOSE THE QUERY and rate my answers to this point? You may always open a new set of questions if necessary and write them directly to my attention if you believe I've been of help to you:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

Cheers!

This query has required a total of 33 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile the return envoy to the patient.

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