We recognize the realities of mental health challenges and respond with compassion, connection, and community. Whether by providing reliable resources or helping you connect with the right therapist, you are always welcome as a valued member of our community. MentalHealth.com is a health technology company guiding people towards self-understanding and connection. The platform provides reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities. Its purpose is to educate, support, and empower people in their pursuit of well-being. Talk to the pharmacist for proper disposal of leftover or expired medication.
What To Do If You Overdose On Alprazolam
If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding until your treatment with this medication is finished. Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use with the opioid have been determined see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Drug Interactions (7.1). In patients with hepatic impairment, the recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX is 0.25 mg, given 2 or 3 times daily.

What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose?
How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. Before approving coverage for Xanax, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. If you have difficulty opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can put Xanax in an easy-open container.
- It is not known if or how alprazolam could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby.
- Keep in mind that weight changes are a common symptom of anxiety, which Xanax is used to treat.
- Remove and throw away any cotton packaging from the medicine bottle when you first use the medicine.
- The most common side effects of alprazolam are listed below.
When stopping Xanax, you’ll likely do it slowly using a taper schedule. This will help decrease your risk of withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about what your dosage taper schedule will be.
How Does Xanax Compare With Ativan And Other Drugs?
Xanax has a boxed warning about the risk of severe harm or death if taken with opioids. It’s possible that your doctor will adjust your dose every 3 to 4 days until you’re taking the dose that’s right for you. This depends on how you respond to the starting dosage. Your dose should be increased by no more than 1 mg per day. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Xanax. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Xanax’s prescribing information.
Is Alprazolam Addictive?

Do not give Xanax to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Xanax that is written for health professionals. 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. Try to take your doses around the same times each day.
What Are The Side Effects Of Alprazolam?
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. Both drugs are benzodiazepines that help calm the body.
Tolerance to the therapeutic effect of XANAX may develop; however, little tolerance develops to the amnestic reactions and other cognitive impairments caused by benzodiazepines. XANAX-treated geriatric patients had higher plasma concentrations of alprazolam (due to reduced clearance) compared to younger adult patients receiving the same doses. Therefore, dosage reduction of XANAX is recommended in geriatric patients see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3). Limited data from published literature reports the presence of alprazolam in human breast milk. There are reports of sedation and withdrawal symptoms in breastfed neonates and infants exposed to alprazolam. Observe newborns for signs of sedation and neonatal withdrawal syndrome and manage accordingly see Use in Specific Populations (8.1).
View Labeling Archives For This Drug
If your symptoms return after switching, the dose can be increased as needed. The side effects of taking Xanax often mirror those of drinking too much alcohol, according to Dr. Dimitriu. “People can become slow, wobbly, uncoordinated, sedated and be at an increased risk of falls and even car accidents,” he says.
It Is Not Known If XANAX Is Safe And Effective When Used To Treat Panic Disorder For Longer Than 10 Weeks
The US had the largest share of other prescription psychiatric drug sales monitored. In total it accounted for 59.2 per cent of all stimulant sales monitored and 64.4 per cent of opioid dependency products such as suboxone and methadone. They did so by analysing the types of drugs sold on 31 cryptomarkets in the USA, UK, Australia and European nations including Germany and Sweden between September 2013 and July 2016. Sales of prescription psychiatric drugs such as Xanax and diazepam are soaring at an “alarming” rate via the dark web, warns a new study. The drug is particularly dangerous when mixed with alcohol and other drugs.
To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue XANAX or reduce the dosage (a patient-specific plan should be used to taper the dose) see Dosage and Administration (2.3). Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when XANAX is used with opioids. Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use with the opioid have been determined see Drug Interactions (7.1). Your doctor will likely prescribe a dosage taper schedule to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms. Your daily dose will likely be decreased by 0.5 mg in 3-day (or longer) intervals.

To give you an idea of what might occur with Xanax, we’ve listed some of the medication’s more common side effects below. Keep in mind that we haven’t included all the potential side effects. Alprazolam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are medications that have anti-anxiety-producing properties.
Possible Food And Drug Interactions When Taking Xanax
Due to this interaction, doctors will typically advise that you do not take Xanax with cannabis. Here is a list of medications that can interact with Xanax. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Xanax. 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.

The most common side effects of Xanax include drowsiness and light-headedness. 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. To receive weekly information on mental health, you may want to sign up for the Psych Central newsletter.

Alprazolam is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store alprazolam in a safe place to protect it from theft. Alprazolam tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). 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.