This helps your body keep a steady level of the drug so it’s most effective for treating your condition. Before you take Xanax, be sure to tell your medical professional about any other drugs you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication. It’s also important to mention any herbs, supplements, and vitamins you may use.
If you still have side effects, your doctor may decrease your dose further. There’s not a specific lowest dose that’s usually prescribed. Xanax XR can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Your symptoms may return when you stop using Xanax XR after using it over a long period of time.
Serious side effects of Xanax
Another drug used for this purpose is Valium (diazepam), which is a benzodiazepine like Xanax. Find out more about the similarities and differences between these drugs in this Valium vs. Xanax comparison. Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Xanax and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. Instead of increasing your dose to reach an average dosage, they’ll prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
1 Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids
Xanax interacts with other substances by enhancing sedation and increasing the risk of dangerous side effects, including overdose. When combined with alcohol, opioids, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, Xanax causes extreme drowsiness, respiratory depression, and even fatal overdose. No, Xanax is not a narcotic, but it is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This classification is due to Xanax’s potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction, even though it has legitimate medical use as a prescription drug.
- Do not take XANAX if you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in XANAX.
- For many people, it helps them fully participate in therapy, especially in approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where being emotionally present and engaged is important.
- XANAX is a benzodiazepine and a CNS depressant with a potential for abuse and addiction.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Withdrawal symptoms may include blurred vision, trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, diarrhea, muscle twitching, numbness or tingling, or increased sensations. One of the reasons why Xanax is so effective for treating panic is that the peak impact from the dose comes quickly.
- Just like any medicine, there are side effects of Xanax; some are mild, while others are more serious.
- She’s also a big fan of wine, hiking, reality television and crocheting.
- If they recommend that you take an opioid while using Xanax, they will discuss the risks with you.
- Buspirone is used to treat symptoms of anxiety, such as fear, tension, irritability and dizziness …
More ways to manage your symptoms
All of these other properties have both benefits and weaknesses for reducing anxiety. Alprazolam is one of the most prescribed medicines because it works quickly. It may take as little as 10 minutes and usually no longer than an hour for the Alprazolam to start working. The main reason to avoid Xanax and other anxiety medications unless you need them is because they don’t cure your anxiety.
Relate drugs
This advice is especially important for older individuals who may be at a higher risk for impaired cognition and mobility as well as an increased risk of falls when taking a benzodiazepine. Additionally, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your health care provider before taking this medication, who can help you weigh the risks versus benefits. It’s important to avoid driving and operating machinery after first taking Xanax, and to be extra cautious when taking stairs since benzodiazepines can slow reflexes and increase the risk of falling. We all have dozens of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, that allow neurons to communicate with each other throughout the body, and the amino acid GABA is one of them. Some patients may benefit from an even more gradual discontinuation. Some patients may prove resistant to all discontinuation regimens.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. These interactions highlight the dangers of mixing Xanax with other substances, emphasizing the need for caution and medical supervision when using this medication. Xanax side effects last for 4 to 6 hours, depending on factors such as dosage and individual metabolism. As a short-acting benzodiazepine, Xanax is quickly processed by the body, with its effects peaking within a couple of hours. These side effects are temporary as the body adjusts to the medication. However, some individuals experience more persistent symptoms that interfere with daily activities.
It is classified under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act due to its potential for abuse and addiction, even though it has recognized medical uses. Common side effects of Xanax include drowsiness, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and changes in urination. Many users also experience digestive issues, coordination difficulties, and mood changes. While these effects are mild, they significantly impact daily functioning, especially when combined with other sedatives or alcohol. Ultimately, medication, like Xanax, can be a helpful bridge to therapy, which can build a long-term path toward healing and managing anxiety symptoms. Working closely with a doctor and therapist will help find the right balance and what works best for you.
Drug Label Info
These drugs can prevent the pathway that’s responsible for eliminating Xanax from your body from removing it as quickly as it should. Over time, this may lead to a toxic buildup of xanax: uses, dosage, side effects and warnings the drug and eventually an overdose. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Both Xanax and CNS depression may lead to side effects such as lack of coordination and drowsiness.
XANAX is a federal controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. It is not known if XANAX is safe and effective in children. It’s important to know that there are a variety of treatments that may help people with anxiety disorders lead normal and productive lives. XANAX should be reduced to half of the recommended dosage when a patient is started on ritonavir and XANAX together, or when ritonavir administered to a patient treated with XANAX. Increase the XANAX dosage to the target dose after 10 to 14 days of dosing ritonavir and XANAX together. It is not necessary to reduce XANAX dose in patients who have been taking ritonavir for more than 10 to 14 days.