Xanax is a drug prescribed for patients suffering from anxiety and depression. When chemicals in the brain become unbalanced, Xanax, and medications like it, can assist the patient with rebalancing chemical levels, in turn providing symptom relief and a better quality of life. Xanax is known within the medical community as a drug with potentially dangerous side effects, such as addiction and an increase in patient suicide rates. This potential increase in suicidal thoughts or attempts can arise when the medication has an opposite effect on the patient’s brain, causing magnification of the anxiety or depression, rather than subduing these emotions.
Xanax is only intended to be prescribed for short periods of time, and is generally accompanied by other forms of mental health or therapy. Should the doctor extend the prescription for longer, than necessary the effects of the drug can become more dangerous to the patient. Patients taking Xanax for depression or anxiety should be weaned off the drug slowly for safety purposes, as well as being made aware of potentially harmful side effects. Patients should not suddenly cease taking their medication and are usually advised to let their doctor know of any changes in behavior or suicidal thoughts.
Family Action
Unfortunately, if patients are incorrectly monitored or their doses are not at an appropriate level, patients may not only have suicidal thoughts but may follow those thoughts through, eventually harming or killing themselves. Families of patients, who committed suicide after being prescribed Xanax by a psychiatrist or other acting physician, may have legal avenues they are able to take. It is in their best interest to contact a medical malpractice attorney to find out what rights they have under the law. Medical malpractice is a very serious matter. Professionals in the medical field can and should be held responsible for their actions when incorrect decisions, monitoring, or dosage leads to patient death.
Xanax has many benefits, if it is monitored properly by the doctor who prescribed it. It can also give the patient many negative reactions that could result in the patient’s death. Medical practitioners are aware of the problems that often arise with the drug and families have the right to aid in stopping negligent behavior by doctors who do not act in a responsible manner. A Xanax-related death can leave family members feeling cheated of their loved one and questioning why the loss of their loved one has occurred. In the professional world, a doctor may be held responsible for neglect if their patient overdoses on the prescribed drug if the doctor did not act responsibly in dispensing it.
Negligence by a Medical Practitioner
Those within the medical community are expected to offer a high level of care for their patients. A medical malpractice lawsuit is a legal means of collecting damages caused by emotional duress, medical costs, and other financial obligations that may arise because of doctor negligence. Negligence is one of the main components of a medical malpractice lawsuit and is often determined when one doctor’s actions, dosage amount, or other actions toward the patient differ from the agreed upon the protocol of the rest of the medical community under similar conditions. Those medical professionals found guilty of medical malpractice can be held responsible for financial damages, as well as losing their license to practice medicine statewide or federally depending on the offense.