If your symptoms return after switching, the dose can be increased as needed. The side effects of taking Xanax often mirror those of drinking too much alcohol, according to Dr. Dimitriu. “People can become slow, wobbly, uncoordinated, sedated and be at an increased risk of falls and even car accidents,” he says. 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.
Do Not Drive Or Operate Heavy Machinery Until You Know How Taking XANAX With Opioids Affects You
If your doctor prescribes XANAX, be sure to fill your prescription at a reputable pharmacy. If you buy XANAX online, follow the steps below to help ensure you get real XANAX. Many of the sites that claim to sell XANAX online are actually selling potentially dangerous counterfeits. There are no known interactions between alprazolam and foods or drinks. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how alprazolam affects you.
If you have additional questions about an off-label use of Xanax, talk with your doctor. If you take more than 4 mg of Xanax per day for this condition, your doctor may eventually suggest lowering your dosage. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage.
But it’s best to talk with your medical professional or pharmacist before using any new drugs while taking Xanax. Xanax produces a calming effect that helps relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. The typical starting dosage of Xanax for panic disorder is 0.5 mg three times per day. The typical starting dosage of Xanax for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg three times per day. Some of the mild side effects that Xanax may cause are listed below.
- These include your age, liver function, and other medications you may take.
- Since 2022, police forces in England and Wales have seen a 120% increase in seizures of counterfeit “street-benzos”.
- Xanax use may lead to addiction, dependence, and withdrawal.
- In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
- Answer a few questions, match with a psychiatrist, and start collaborating on your care with your doctor.
- The orally disintegrating tablet can be taken with or without water.
Store alprazolam in a safe place to protect it from theft. Alprazolam tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to store your medicine. The usual starting dose for an anxiety disorder is 0.25 milligram, 2 or 3 times daily.
Do Not Share Your XANAX With Other People
Your doctor may prescribe Xanax XR if once-daily dosing is more convenient for you. They may also prescribe this form if your panic disorder symptoms come back or worsen between doses of immediate-release Xanax. Xanax is most commonly prescribed for the short-term treatment of anxiety and anxiety-related conditions, which offers fast relief when symptoms become too intense or overwhelming. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.
Health Products
Abuse is the intentional, non-therapeutic use of a drug, even once, for its desirable psychological or physiological effects. Misuse is the intentional use, for therapeutic purposes, of a drug by an individual in a way other than prescribed by a health care provider or for whom it was not prescribed. Even taking benzodiazepines as prescribed may put patients at risk for abuse and misuse of their medication. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines may lead to addiction. In many of the spontaneous case reports of adverse behavioral effects, patients were receiving other CNS drugs concomitantly and/or were described as having underlying psychiatric conditions. Should any of the above events occur, alprazolam should be discontinued.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take alprazolam. Alprazolam produces a calming effect on the brain, which helps to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
6 Dosage Modifications For Drug Interactions
Furthermore, it should be administered with caution in patients with respiratory diseases since it may aggravate their respiratory insufficiency. Alprazolam is rapidly absorbed; peak plasma concentrations are observed 1 to 2 hours after administration. Your doctor can administer medication to help ease these symptoms and prevent further complications. It’s not clear why some people react this way or how to predict if it will happen to you.
It Is Not Known If XANAX Is Safe And Effective When Used To Treat Anxiety Disorder For Longer Than 4 Months
Xanax is an effective medication for reducing the number of panic attacks you have. To find out how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Xanax’s prescribing information. With panic disorder, you become afraid of having more panic attacks. This can make you avoid situations or places you feel may trigger a panic attack, which can lead to agoraphobia. A half-life chart can show you the amount of a dose that may still be in your system after a certain amount of time.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of this drug or any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.
- However, your doctor might sometimes prescribe Xanax off-label for certain other uses.
- Caution should be taken with patients with a history of drug abuse since this drug may cause psychological and/or physical dependence.
- But they have been reported with benzodiazepines, which is the group of drugs that Xanax belongs to.
- The active ingredient in Xanax is alprazolam, while the active ingredient in Ativan is lorazepam.
Paradoxical Reactions
Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Drug-condition interactions can also cause certain effects. For information about these interactions, see the “Xanax precautions” section.
Dosage For Panic Disorder
Most people will feel the strongest impacts from the drug for one to two hours. However, the lingering effects or “fuzzy feelings” may stretch out for around six hours. One of the reasons why Xanax is so effective for treating panic is that the peak impact from the dose comes quickly. Most people will experience it between one and two hours after taking their dose.
Causes & Risk Factors
If you respond well to the drug, your doctor may then increase your dosage slowly. The maximum dosage recommended by the drugmaker is a total of 4 mg daily. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Xanax belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Xanax has a boxed warning for a risk of serious injury or death if the drug is used with opioids.
Taking Xanax With Other Drugs
This effect may last for a few days after you stop using this medicine. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine. Seizures can occur in more severe cases of withdrawal. Consequently, patients on alprazolam for extended periods of time should slowly taper the medication under a doctor’s supervision rather than abruptly stopping the medication.
Do not give Xanax to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Xanax that is written for health professionals. Keep in mind that certain drugs, when used together with Xanax, may increase your risk for side effects or decrease how well Xanax works. While you take Xanax, be sure to check with your medical professional before using any other medications.
