The use of Xanax and opioid drugs may cause severe side effects, including extreme sleepiness and respiratory depression (slow or weak breathing). Other severe side effects include coma and, in some cases, death. Combining Xanax (alprazolam) with therapy can help create a more well-rounded, holistic approach to effectively manage anxiety and panic disorders.
Withdrawal Symptoms Of Alprazolam
- Although interactions between benzodiazepines and commonly employed clinical laboratory tests have occasionally been reported, there is no consistent pattern for a specific drug or specific test.
- Xanax may also be used off-label for other conditions.
- Alprazolam is a member of the benzodiazepine family, which are sedatives that cause dose-related depression of the central nervous system.
- Drug-condition interactions can also cause certain effects.
- Taking the medication around the same times of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body.
- Eventually you’ll quit the medication, your anxiety will come back, and you’ll find yourself suffering.
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Can Stopping Xanax Treatment Cause A Hangover-like Feeling?
Xanax has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal. Rarely, some people may also have withdrawal symptoms that last a long time after stopping Xanax. Keep in mind this drug has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal. For more information about this warning, see the “Side effect specifics” section. For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening.
Pregnancy And Lactation
It’s common to have questions about your treatment plan for Xanax. Your medical professional is there to work with you and help address any concerns you have. These side effects can be dangerous if they occur while you’re driving. Examples of misusing Xanax include snorting or smoking the drug.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the side effects of Xanax. If you have bothersome sexual side effects while taking Xanax, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment option instead. If you have questions or concerns about possible side effects of Xanax in older adults, talk with your doctor. Older adults may also be more sensitive to certain effects of Xanax. For example, they’re more likely to have sleepiness, dizziness, and problems with coordination or balance.
How Effective Is Alprazolam (Xanax) For Anxiety?

The kinds of side effects you can have may vary depending on the condition you’re using Xanax to treat. Xanax can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate. Due to this risk, you should only take Xanax as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it more often, in a higher dose, or for longer than prescribed by your doctor.

DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

Draw into the dropper the amount prescribed for one dose. Squeeze the dropper contents into a liquid or semisolid food such as water, juice, soda, applesauce, or pudding. The concentrated liquid will blend completely with the food. To receive weekly information on mental health, you may want to sign up for the Psych Central newsletter. You’ll find stories directly from other people on their mental health journey as well as the latest information on treatments.

Missed Dose
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. Alprazolam is a medicine in the benzodiazepine family of drugs, which are commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. These lesions did not appear until after 11 months of treatment. To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue XANAX or reduce the dosage see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5.3). Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when XANAX is used with opioids.
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. Alprazolam comes as a tablet, an extended-release tablet, an orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth), and a concentrated solution (liquid) to take by mouth.
- Xanax is only meant to be used for a short period, because it can lead to dependence and tolerance.
- If your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
- XANAX is contraindicated in patients receiving strong inhibitors of CYP3A (such as azole antifungal agents), except ritonavir see Contraindications (4).
- If you need help remembering to take your dose of Xanax on time, try using a medication reminder.
- Do not take alprazolam unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider.
- To learn more about cannabis and the drug, talk with your doctor.
If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction to Xanax, be sure to call your medical professional immediately. If you feel as if you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. A more severe allergic reaction may also occur, but this is rare.
What Is Xanax? Purpose, Dosage And Side Effects
An addiction means continuing to take a drug even if it causes you harm. Misuse and addiction may lead to overdose, and in rare cases, death. 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. Xanax has a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and addiction.
Alprazolam (Rx)
Xanax can cause similar side effects in males and females who take the medication. Examples of these side effects are described throughout this article. Answer a few questions, match with a psychiatrist, and start collaborating on your care with your doctor. 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. Talk with your doctor or dentist if you have anxiety before medical procedures. Xanax comes in several different shapes and colors, as shown in the “Xanax images” section toward the end of this article.