If your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Xanax is typically prescribed for short periods of time to relieve anxiety symptoms while other treatments, such as antidepressants, are taking effect. Antidepressants can take about 4 to 6 weeks to start working for anxiety disorders. Alprazolam is a controlled substance and may be misused or lead to dependence.

Overall Thoughts on Alprazolam For Anxiety

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of alprazolam and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 3 or 4 days. To take the concentrated liquid, use only the dropper that came with your prescription. Draw into the dropper the amount prescribed for one dose.

Xanax Side Effects

This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Xanax. https://brandedbacklinks.com/samsanesra/marijuana-addiction-treatment-and-rehab-program-2/ It’s common to have anxiety about the stresses of everyday life. However, with GAD, you have ongoing anxiety about everyday life that’s excessive and out of proportion. You should not take pain relievers that contain an opioid with Xanax unless your doctor has approved it. If you need a pain reliever during Xanax treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a suitable medication.

alprazolam

• Physically, Xanax also provides relief from muscle tension.
• The half-life of a drug is the length of time it takes for half a dose of the drug to be removed from your body.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Misuse means taking a drug in a way that’s different from how your medical professional recommended you take it.

Talk to your care team about all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. Call emergency services right away if you have slow or shallow breathing, feel dizzy or confused, or have trouble staying awake. XANAX (alprazolam) is indicated to treat anxiety disorders and for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. XANAX is also indicated to treat panic disorder with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia). One of the significant concerns with long-term Xanax use is the potential for dependency and tolerance.

• Data from in vitro studies of alprazolam suggest a possible drug interaction of alprazolam with paroxetine.
• It’s especially helpful in the short term, during particularly stressful periods, or while waiting for other longer-term treatments, like therapy, to begin seeing the effects.
• Taking certain drugs, foods, vaccines, and other substances with some medications may affect how the medication works.
• You can write the date on the bottle the day you open it as a reminder.

Short-Term Effects

Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects from Xanax are not common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. xanax addiction People who are aged 65 years or older can be at greater risk for some side effects of alprazolam. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with XANAX.

• In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of XANAX than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based on clinical response.
• A subgroup of patients who improved on XANAX during short-term treatment in 1 of these trials was continued on an open basis up to 8 months, without apparent loss of benefit.
• That’s why it’s essential to combine medication with other anxiety management strategies, like therapy and lifestyle changes.

These lesions did not appear until after 11 months of treatment. Controlled trials of XANAX in the treatment of panic disorder included dosages in the range of 1 mg to 10 mg daily. Taking too much Xanax can lead to severe side effects, including extreme drowsiness, confusion, respiratory depression, and even coma. An overdose can be life-threatening, making it essential to seek immediate medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Combining Adderall and Xanax can be risky, as Adderall is Substance abuse a stimulant while Xanax has sedative effects.

Understanding Anxiety

This gives your healthcare provider room to adjust your dose as needed while minimizing side effects. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, even if you’re tempted to take an extra dose during extra-stressful times. 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. Ativan (lorazepam) is sometimes chosen when mental healthcare providers want a slightly steadier effect. This is because lorazepam is absorbed a bit more slowly than Xanax in some people, so its duration in the body can be more predictable.