Halcion vs Xanax

Halcion and Xanax are the two medicines that are used for the treatment of different problems in people. Both of them are branded medication drugs. The drug class of both these medicines is benzodiazepines. 

Now, I am going to describe the comparison between the two drugs ‘Halcion vs Xanax’ in this blog. 

Brief Overview of Halcion Medicine

Halcion medicine is used in treating the symptoms that occur due to insomnia in patients. Insomnia is a sleeping problem in which a person finds it difficult to sleep at night. 

The active ingredient of this branded medication drug is Alprazolam. It also contains several inactive ingredients such as Docusate sodium, Silicon dioxide, Corn starch, Sodium Benzoate, FD&C Blue No. 2, magnesium stearate and lactose.

Brief Overview of Xanax Medicine

Xanax medicine is used to treat panic disorder and anxiety in individuals. A panic disorder is an unexpected panic attack which occurs due to chest pain, sweating, dizziness, stomach pain etc. Anxiety attack is a problem that occurs due to nausea, rapid heartbeat, breathing problem, headache and others. 

Xanax drug contains an active ingredient called Alprazolam. The inactive ingredients of this drug are lactose monohydrate, sodium benzoate, docusate sodium, cellulose, pregelatinized starch, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.

Comparison Between Halcion and Xanax Medicines

There are six differences between Halcion and Xanax drugs. These include the following:

•  FDA approval

Xanax is not a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval drug, whereas Halcion was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 15th November 1982. 

•  Dosages

Both the medication drugs have different dosage forms and strengths. Read the following dosages of Halcion and Xanax drug in detail:

Halcion

Halcion is used in the treatment of sleeping problem (insomnia) in adults and older adults. It is in the form of oral tablet only. The dosage strengths which can be used in oral tablet are 0.25 mg and 0.125 mg. 

Adults can take the dosage strength of 0.125 mg to 0.25 mg when they are suffering from insomnia conditions. The maximum dosage that can be taken by them is 0.5 mg in a day.

A dose of 0.125 mg can be taken by the older adults for the treatment of insomnia. They are not suggested to take more than 0.25 mg in 24 hours.  

 Xanax

Xanax is used in treating the symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety in adults only. The forms of this medication drug are immediate-release oral tablet, extended-release oral tablet, oral solution and orally disintegrating tablet. 

The dosage strengths of 1 mg, 3 mg, 0.5 mg and 2 mg are available in the form of extended-release oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet and immediate-release oral tablet. Oral solution has a dosage strength of 1 mg/ml. 

The dosage strength of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg can be taken by the adults three times in a day when suffering from anxiety. Older adults can take a dosage strength of 0.5 mg in 24 hours for the treatment of this problem. 

Adults when suffering from panic disorders can take the dosage strength of 0.5 or 1 mg extended-release oral tablets. They are not suggested to take more than 10 mg in a day. A dose of 0.5 mg is taken by the older adults for the treatment of this problem. 

•  Functions & Half-life

Both these medicines have different functions and half-life. Read the following functions of Halcion and Xanax medicines:

Halcion

Halcion medicine acts as a Gamma AminoButyric Acid (GABA) receptor in the Central Nervous System (CNS). This helps in increasing neurotransmitter levels in an individual’s brain. It has a half-life of 2.8 hours when an individual takes this medication for the treatment of insomnia. 

Xanax

The function of Xanax medicine is to slow down the brain’s activity which helps in relaxing an individual’s muscles. The half-life of Xanax medicine is 20 hours when this medicine is taken for the treatment of panic attacks and anxiety. 

•  Potency

Halcion medicine has a high potency, whereas Xanax drug has medium potency. 

•  Drug Interactions

Both medicines have different drug interactions. Read the following drug interactions of Halcion and Xanax medicines:

Halcion

Halcion medicine has the higher chances of interacting with other medicinal drugs. These drugs are Digoxin, Zotepine, Sulpiride, Scopolamine, Secobarbital, Ranitidine, Pimozide, Oliceridine, Molindone and others.

Xanax

Xanax medicine interacts with different medicinal drugs. Some of them are Benzhydrocodone, Cobalazam, Fedratinib, Eterobarb, Hexobarbital, Heptabarbital, Lumacaftor, Periciazine, Simeprevir etc. 

•  Side Effects

Halcion or Xanax medicine causes side effects in individuals due to their overdose or improper use. Read the following side effects of these medication drugs:

Halcion

There are different side effects which occurs due to Halcion medicine. These include the following: 

• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Hyperventilation
• Drowsiness
• Jaundice (yellow eyes or skin)
• Anxiety
• Appetite loss
• Nightmares
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Fever
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
• Dryness in mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Swelling or inflammation in mouth
• Irritation
• Blurred vision
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Nose bleeding or runny nose
• Slurred speech
• Hallucinations
• Muscle cramps

Xanax

Xanax causes different side effects in people. These include the following:

• Diarrhea

• Agitation (severe anxiety)

• Change in mood or behavior

• Loss of weight

• Bad or unpleasant taste

• Speaking problem

• Chills

• Shivering

• Cough

• Joint pain

• Wheezing

• Abdominal pain

• Hoarseness

• Swelling in feet, arms, legs and hands

• Swallowing problem

• Fear or nervousness

• Dryness in mouth

• Difficulty in concentration

• Skin rashes, itching or hives

• Redness or irritation in eyes

• Body pain
• Sweating

Precautions

• An individual should not share Halcion or Xanax drug to others, since it is a misuse of any of these medicines which can be harmful for him or her. 
• It is important to consult with a doctor before using any of these medicines.
• Taking more than one tablet of Halcion or Xanax drug is strictly prohibited for an individual. The overdose of any of these medication drugs can be harmful for him or her.
• An individual must avoid drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes after taking any of these medicines. 
• Drinking grapefruit juice will delay the effect of Halcion or Xanax medicine. Therefore, an individual should not drink juice after taking any of these medication drugs.