If the drug appears to be having a significant impact on you, you should seek emergency medical attention. The sedating effect can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and calm your body’s response to the anxiety or stress. Unlike some drugs, such as cocaine, that produce a “high” or euphoric feeling, Xanax users describe feeling more relaxed, quiet, and tired. These feelings may lead to falling asleep or passing out for a few hours. To receive weekly information on mental health, you may want to sign up for the Psych Central newsletter.
Pregnancy & Lactation
This medicine is usually only prescribed for short periods of time, as long-term use can reduce effectiveness and the risk of dependence. Certain adverse clinical events, some life-threatening, are a direct consequence of physical dependence to XANAX. These include a spectrum of withdrawal symptoms; the most important is seizure see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3). Even after relatively short-term use at doses of ≤ 4 mg/day, there is some risk of dependence. In contrast, patients treated with doses of XANAX greater than 4 mg/day had more difficulty tapering to zero dose than those treated with less than 4 mg/day.
Risk Of Dependence And Withdrawal
Alprazolam, known by various trade names, is the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medication in the United States. Alprazolam is frequently prescribed to manage panic and anxiety disorders. Alprazolam has also been misused for recreational purposes because of its disinhibition, euphoria, and anxiolytic effects.
Are You Currently Using Alprazolam (Xanax)?
The ability of alprazolam to induce human hepatic enzyme systems has not yet been determined. Plasma levels of alprazolam increase proportionally to the dose over the range of 0.5 to 3.0 mg. Each XANAX tablet, for oral administration, contains 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg of alprazolam. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes.
Will I Need To Take This Drug Long Term?
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.
What Side Effects May Occur When Using Xanax?
Safety and effectiveness of XANAX have not been established in pediatric patients. 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. Xanax, or its generic version alprazolam, doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Yes, it’s safe to take Xanax with acetaminophen (Tylenol). There aren’t any known safety issues with taking Xanax and Tylenol together.
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
The highest dose reported by the drugmaker is a total of 10 mg daily, but it’s uncommon to take such a high dose. The risk of serious side effects increases significantly when you combine Xanax with alcohol or other sedating medications. That’s why it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about all substances you use, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. Perhaps even more unusual is that the withdrawal symptoms may also come and go over time after you stop taking the medicine. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. There is an increased risk of respiratory problems and muscular weakness in your baby.
Keep XANAX And All Medicines Out Of The Reach Of Children
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Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. If you take this medication as it’s intended — it’s commonly prescribed to treat anxiety or panic disorders — you may notice symptom relief after your first dose. Your medical professional may increase your dosage every few days until your symptoms are well managed. They’ll ultimately prescribe the lowest dosage of Xanax that’s needed to relieve your symptoms of panic disorder.
- Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
- Research has shown that CBT, in particular, is effective in treating anxiety because it tackles the underlying causes of anxiety, getting to the root of the problem.
- In geriatric patients, the recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX is 0.25 mg, given 2 or 3 times daily.
- Xanax® (alprazolam) is a medication that treats anxiety.
- If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Xanax, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
While off-label uses are often safe and effective, you may be able to find an option for difficulty sleeping that’s safer than Xanax. Benzodiazepines (the drug group Xanax belongs to) have a higher risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms than other drugs that treat this condition. Dependence – especially physical dependence – can also lead to withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases these can be very severe. Alprazolam is used for all types of anxiety, but it’s one of the few medicines prescribed for panic disorder.
