Benzodiazepines are medications that have anti-anxiety-producing properties. It’s always best to start with a low dose and gauge how you respond to this medication before consulting with your health care provider to increase your dosage, adds Dr. Dimitriu. It’s also important to note that benzodiazepines like Xanax are not considered safe for long-term use. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America also does not recommend them for people with severe suicidal or addictive tendencies, or those with a family history of addiction.
1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions With XANAX
Instruct patients that discontinuation or dosage reduction of XANAX may require a slow taper see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3). 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. Instances of irritability, hostility, and intrusive thoughts have been reported during discontinuation of alprazolam in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Pregnancy Categories
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. “The counterfeit drugs are usually much more potent and stronger than the drugs they are masquerading as,” says Chris Rentoul, its head of harm reduction. Misuse can cause over-sedation, collapse and overdose. The group, from across the West Midlands region of England, included extended family members and friends who sold more than £4m of fake pills on the so-called dark web.
Frequently Asked Questions
The manufacturer does not provide information on taking Xanax this way. If you have difficulty swallowing Xanax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy does not have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does. Taking the medication around the same times of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body.
- This depends on how you respond to the starting dosage.
- If you have additional questions about an off-label use of Xanax, talk with your doctor.
- To find out how the cost of alprazolam compares to the cost of Xanax, see this article.
- Use the lowest possible effective dose and frequently assess the need for continued treatment see Warnings and Precautions (5.2).
- Taking alprazolam during the later stages of pregnancy can result in withdrawal and the following symptoms, in newborns.
- There’s not a specific lowest dose that’s usually prescribed.
What To Do If You Overdose On Alprazolam
This is called a taper, and it’s done to help avoid withdrawal symptoms. (These are side effects that can happen when you suddenly stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on.) For information, see the “Xanax and withdrawal and dependence” section. If you’re taking this anti-anxiety medication for the first time, it’s important to understand its side effects and potential interactions before use. Read on to learn what it should and shouldn’t feel like, and answers to other commonly asked questions.
- The federal government regulates controlled substances because taking them may lead some people to misuse the drugs.
- A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
- Episodes of hypomania and mania have been reported in association with the use of XANAX in patients with depression see Adverse Reactions (6.2).
- This will help them determine if alprazolam is right for you.
- For more information about the risk of Xanax withdrawal and dependence, see the “Xanax and withdrawal and dependence” section.
If You Think You Or A Loved One May Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder Or Panic Disorder,
Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on. For more information about the risk of Xanax withdrawal and dependence, see the “Xanax and withdrawal and dependence” section. Xanax is sometimes used off-label for insomnia (difficulty sleeping). You’ll likely start by taking Xanax 0.25-mg or 0.5-mg tablets three times daily. 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.
Drug Details
Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. 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. 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. It’s important that you don’t take more Xanax than your medical professional recommends.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed?
Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Xanax could increase your risk of side effects from Xanax. It’s best to avoid consuming grapefruit products while taking Xanax. For more information about side effects of Xanax, see the “Xanax side effects” section. To learn more about cannabis and the drug, talk with your doctor. Taking Xanax with cannabis could increase the risk of side effects from Xanax, especially sleepiness. Due to this interaction, doctors will typically advise that you do not take Xanax with cannabis.
The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. To help avoid withdrawal symptoms, do not stop taking Xanax unless you first talk with your doctor. When you and your doctor agree that you should stop taking Xanax, they’ll reduce your dose slowly over time.
While doctors try to avoid prescribing opioids and Xanax together, sometimes other options are not as effective for treating your condition. If your doctor recommends taking Xanax and opioids at the same time, they will explain the risks and limit your doses and treatment duration to the minimum. As with other benzodiazepines, Xanax can cause dependence.
For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. 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. Because Xanax is sedating, Dr. Dimitriu says he generally asks patients to try their first dose during an afternoon or evening when being sleepy wouldn’t be problematic. “It’s best to be at home and avoid driving, especially early in the course as people learn how the drug affects them,” he says.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Xanax on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone. For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Xanax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 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.
