Alprazolam: Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Combining Alprazolam with other drugs of abuse can also be fatal. Eventually you’ll quit the medication, your anxiety will come back, and you’ll find yourself suffering. That’s why you need to make sure that you never depend on medication alone. Those who suffer from anxiety are often looking for ways to overcome their intense feelings. Medication is one route that is perceived to be “quick and easy” and why many people prefer medications to therapy. But medications also have their downsides, so finding the right anxiety medicine is crucial.

How To Get Help for Xanax Addiction

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Anxiety and Depression

They may suggest that you check your blood pressure periodically with a home monitor. If you’re concerned about weight gain or loss with Xanax, talk with your medical professional. They can recommend healthy ways for you to manage your weight. Weight changes were a common side effect in studies of the drug. For more complete information on possible side effects of Xanax, you can talk with your medical how to shoot up xanax professional or pharmacist.

What Is Xanax, and What Are Its Effects on the Body?

Both Xanax and alcohol may cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. If you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health, Xanax may not be the right choice for you. Before you take Xanax, discuss your health history with your medical professional. You can also ask your medical professional whether any of these drugs are right for you.

• Xanax comes in several different shapes and colors, as shown in the “Xanax images” section toward the end of this article.
• This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby.
• Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only.
• Use the lowest possible effective dose and frequently assess the need for continued treatment.
• This effect may last for a few days after you Stop taking alprazolam.

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Alprazolam (Xanax) has moderate interactions with at least 264 different drugs. All of these other properties have both benefits and weaknesses for reducing anxiety. Alprazolam is one of the most prescribed medicines because it works quickly.

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. It’s possible that your medical professional will recommend that you use Xanax together with other drugs to treat your anxiety. These side effects can be dangerous if they occur while you’re driving. Both Xanax and CNS depression may lead to side effects such as lack of coordination and drowsiness. So your risk for these side effects is higher than usual if you drink alcohol while taking Xanax.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Before taking Xanax XR, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol. Symptoms of withdrawal typically begin within 24 hours after your last dose, and may last anywhere between a few days to a few weeks. By that point, your body will eliminate half of the dose from your bloodstream. Everyone metabolizes medications differently, so the half-life is different from person to person.

Conditions

If adverse reactions occur at the recommended starting dosage, the dosage may be reduced. 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. Dependence – especially physical dependence – can also lead to withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases these can be very severe. Xanax belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Xanax works by increasing the levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid in your brain.

Your medical professional or pharmacist can tell you about possible interactions these substances may have with Xanax. Xanax produces a calming effect that helps relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. If you have any symptoms of withdrawal from Xanax, tell your medical professional right away. They’ll monitor your condition closely to help prevent your symptoms from becoming worse.

• 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.
• The half-life of Xanax can be used to figure out how long the drug stays in your body.
• As tolerance to the drug builds, people may take larger doses to achieve the same effects.
• That’s why you need to make sure that you never depend on medication alone.
• For this reason, you’ll likely take Xanax three times per day.
• Before starting Xanax treatment, tell your medical professional about all medications you take.

There’s not a specific lowest dose that’s usually prescribed. The information that follows describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. This means the drug is released slowly into your body over a period of time. It is important to note that tolerance is not the same as physical dependence, but increased tolerance can lead to dependence and addiction if not addressed by a medical professional. Those who inject Xanax often do so to experience a faster, more intense, euphoric high.

Misuse and addiction may lead to overdose, and in rare cases, death. Some side effects of alprazolam may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. CNS depressants are medicines that slow down the nervous system, which may cause drowsiness or make you less alert.