Some of the more common side effects of this medication include drowsiness and memory problems. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking alprazolam (Xanax) because this can lead to serious interactions. XANAX may produce physical dependence from continued therapy.
Does Xanax Cause Specific Side Effects In Females?
Taking XANAX with certain other medicines can cause side effects or affect how well XANAX or the other medicines work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider. XANAX is a federal controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep XANAX in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. It is not known if XANAX is safe and effective in children.
Breastfeeding Is Not Recommended During Treatment With XANAX
If they recommend that it’s safe for you to stop taking the drug, they’ll lower your dosage gradually over time. This should help decrease your risk for withdrawal symptoms. 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). The risk of withdrawal symptoms when stopping Xanax is increased in people taking the drug in high doses or for a long time.
Symptoms Of Overdose May Include The Following:
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. Early morning anxiety and emergence of anxiety symptoms between doses of XANAX have been reported in patients with panic disorder taking prescribed maintenance doses. These symptoms may reflect the development of tolerance or a time interval between doses which is longer than the duration of clinical action of the administered dose. In either case, it is presumed that the prescribed dose is not sufficient to maintain plasma levels above those needed to prevent relapse, rebound, or withdrawal symptoms over the entire course of the interdosing interval. Xanax (Alprazolam) can be prescribed online through the MyHealthONE Patient Portal by licensed U.S. physicians.
What If You’re Using It To Treat An Anxiety Or Panic Disorder?
All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. XANAX is contraindicated in patients receiving strong inhibitors of CYP3A (such as azole antifungal agents), except ritonavir see Contraindications (4). Ketoconazole and itraconazole have been shown in vivo to increase plasma alprazolam concentrations 3.98 fold and 2.70 fold, respectively.
We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. “Making a comprehensive clinical assessment, consideration of substance use disorders, ensuring proper informed consent and use of non-pharmacological options for treatment are all key components of a careful approach,” she says. 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.
7 Patients With Depression
Newborn babies whose parent took alprazolam (Xanax) during pregnancy have experienced serious issues like breathing problems, excessive drowsiness, irritability, and feeding difficulties. If you’re planning to have a baby or are currently pregnant, speak with your HCP about the best options for your anxiety or panic disorder. 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. Xanax has a boxed warning for a risk of serious injury or death if the drug is used with opioids. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
- But anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, are different because they involve excessive fear and anxiety.
- If your symptoms return after switching, the dose can be increased as needed.
- The maximum dosage recommended by the drugmaker is a total of 4 mg daily.
Would My Doctor Prescribe Xanax For Depression, Sleep Problems, Or Other Conditions?
Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. For additional information about allergic reaction, see the “Allergic reaction” section that follows. Do not take itraconazole (Sporanox®) or ketoconazole (Nizoral®) while you are using this medicine. Using any of them together with this medicine may increase the chance of serious side effects.
More On Alprazolam (Xanax) Warnings
No, your dosage of Xanax is not based on your body weight. You’ll likely start on a low dose, and your doctor may increase it slowly based on your reaction to the drug. Some drugs affect liver function so much that they’re not safe to take with Xanax at all. Examples include Prezista (darunavir) and Noxafil (posaconazole).
If you are using the orally disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not remove the tablets from the bottle until you are ready to take it. Place the tablet immediately on the top of your tongue. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of alprazolam in the pediatric population. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how alprazolam affects you.
People 65 years and older may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Both Xanax and alcohol may cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. Yes, it’s safe to take Xanax with acetaminophen (Tylenol). There aren’t any known safety issues with taking Xanax and Tylenol together. Xanax will stay in your system for about 55 hours after your last dose.
Specific Populations
Depending on your response, the dose may be gradually increased by no more than 1 milligram every 3 or 4 days. Some people may need a larger dose to relieve their symptoms. Others, including older adults and those with liver disease or other serious illnesses, may need to use lower doses. Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of all medicines they take, including prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins and herbal supplements see Drug Interactions (7).
Inform patients that in some cases, patients taking benzodiazepines have developed a protracted withdrawal syndrome with withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks to more than 12 months. 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). If your doctor has directed you to use this prescription medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions, health risks and side effects, and may be monitoring you for them. 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. Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone. 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.
