FAQs XANAX® alprazolam tablets Safety Info

Common complaints reported with varying frequency by patients treated with alprazolam include sedation, fatigue, ataxia, amnesia, slurred speech, poor concentration, hypersensitivity, and irritability. There are 3 case reports suggesting that valproate may be effective for the treatment of sedative-hypnotic withdrawal, but a double-blind, placebo-controlled study failed to replicate the results (Rickels et al., 1999). Rebound anxiety is common and is often severe with alprazolam discontinuation because of its short half-life and the unique alpha-2 adrenergic effect. It is also consistent with open-label reports and a double-blind study supporting the use of carbamazepine in benzodiazepine withdrawal (Björkqvist et al., 1976). Often switching to a long-acting benzodiazepine with inherent accumulation of metabolites, followed by a gradual dose taper, are effective strategies resulting in a safe and smoother detoxification for most cases. There are several case reports of hyperadrenergic states caused by alprazolam withdrawal (Páll et al., 2014), with the most impressive example describing a pseudo-pheochromocytoma, characterized by intermittent episodes of hypertensive crisis with sinus tachycardia, some so severe as to require ICU admission.

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If someone you care about is struggling with Xanax addiction, your support can make a major difference in their recovery journey. It’s important to get professional help from a prescriber who has experience helping patients taper off benzodiazepines. Your doctor probably will decrease your alprazolam dose gradually. Quitting “cold turkey” without medical help is risky—it’s hugely important to taper off under a doctor’s supervision. Its effects are strong and fast, which makes it more likely for people to develop a dependency. These numbers show just how serious Xanax misuse has become—and why it’s so important to understand the risks.

• For more information about the risk of Xanax withdrawal and dependence, 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.
• Addiction describes what happens when dependence causes uncontrollable cravings for Xanax and a general loss of control over its use.
• Researched, fact-checked and transparent articles and guides that offer addiction and mental health insight from experts and treatment professionals.
• We offer individualized, extended-term treatment in an intimate setting.
• Over time, this leads to physical dependence, where the body becomes reliant on the drug to function normally.

It is not known if XANAX is safe and effective when used to treat anxiety disorder for longer than 4 months

Xanax (the brand name for alprazolam)1 is a medication that’s part of the benzodiazepine family. She believes addiction and mental health issues are universal human experiences that can serve as important entry points onto a path toward self-realization and well-being. They guide our mission as accomplished individuals dedicated to improving the landscape of addiction recovery and mental wellness. Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide.

To manage Xanax withdrawal safely requires a medically supervised tapering process, which gradually reduces the dosage to minimize withdrawal symptoms. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2021), approximately 30% of benzodiazepine users experience significant withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit. Structured addiction treatment programs are necessary for treating benzodiazepine addiction, which includes Xanax and help relapse prevention. Xanax addiction treatment options include medical detoxification, inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment programs, and therapy-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Xanax addiction is caused by prolonged use, recreational misuse, or taking higher doses than prescribed. Both medications carry risks of dependence and withdrawal, requiring careful medical oversight.

A person who struggles with addiction is more likely to experience financial trouble, relationship trouble, and mental and physical health problems, including cancer and stroke, among others.7 If you are struggling with Xanax addiction, knowing how to get help can feel challenging. Unfortunately, benzodiazepine misuse often occurs with the misuse of other substances. Medical supervision and pharmacological intervention may be necessary to keep a person as safe and comfortable as possible during acute benzodiazepine withdrawal.1, 4

• Xanax addiction signs can come in many forms, including behavioral, psychological, and physical.
• Your doctor probably will decrease your alprazolam dose gradually.
• It is important to use Xanax only as prescribed and under medical supervision to minimize potential dangers.
• Knowing you or a loved one is at higher risk for Xanax addiction can make you more aware of the warning signs of addiction and make you more likely to seek help sooner.
• Symptoms may include irritability, problems with feeding, and tremors.

In general, available data have been inconsistent with large variance between studies highlighting the need of well-designed long-term clinical trials addressing the question of tolerance with all benzodiazepines including alprazolam. In a controlled longitudinal study of alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia, alprazolam produced pronounced impairments on a word recall task at baseline and at the 24-week medication-free follow-up (Curran et al., 1994). Interestingly, tolerance was found to develop relatively quickly for the hypnotic, sedative, and anticonvulsant actions of all Hangxiety relief benzodiazepines, whereas results on tolerance to anxiolytic and amnesic effects have not been consistent across studies or molecules tested (Lucki and Rickels, 1986; Lucki et al., 1986; Curran et al., 1994). With the approval of the long-acting formulation, some would argue that the risks, and several of alprazolam unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, including rapid absorption and short half-life, would be mitigated when alprazolam is prescribed in its extended-release formulation (alprazolam-XR). Most studies conducted to assess benzodiazepines misuse liability in head-to-head comparisons are more than 20 years old.

While you can’t force someone to get help, you can create an environment that supports their recovery. You can also join a support group for loved ones of people with substance use disorders. It’s also hugely important to take care of your own wellness— supporting someone with addiction is emotionally draining. You can offer to help them look into treatment options or even go with them to appointments. When you’re ready to have a conversation, encourage them to speak with a therapist or addiction specialist. Not all doctors are trained in addiction-related care.

Xanax Overdose

Alprazolam may be habit forming.3 Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Some might take more than prescribed to feel calmer. However, this quick action also contributes to its addiction potential—even with short-term use. The medication is fast-acting, which makes it especially effective for acute anxiety episodes. Xanax works by boosting the effects of GABA,2 a neurotransmitter that slows down nerve signals in the brain.

Personal And Genetic Factors

For anxiety, options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Xanax interacts with other medications, such as opioids, antidepressants, or other sedatives, potentially increasing the risk of side effects like alcohol detox diet eating healthy during alcohol withdrawal extreme drowsiness, respiratory depression, or sedation. Both substances depress the central nervous system, leading to excessive drowsiness, impaired motor coordination, respiratory depression, and a heightened risk of overdose. Never stop taking Xanax abruptly, as withdrawal also poses risks to both you and your baby.

For more information about the risks of misuse and addiction with Xanax, see the boxed warning information at the start of this article. This is called a taper, and it’s done to help avoid withdrawal symptoms. (With misuse a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.) You should only take Xanax exactly as prescribed, and you should not share the drug with anyone else.

takes a dose greater than 4 mg/day for an extended period of time

A change in usage could result in extreme withdrawal symptoms. When someone is dependent on Xanax, they must famous fetal alcohol syndrome take it to feel normal and avoid uncomfortablewithdrawal symptoms. Alprazolam should not be prescribed at a higher dose than is US FDA-recommended, and providers should consider discontinuation if patients are requesting higher doses, as it may signal therapeutic tolerance and/or misuse. Some of the risks listed above could be mitigated with the use of alprazolam-XR, although little is known about the long-acting formulation, except for one small human laboratory study indicating that lower doses were not as reinforcing as the IR formulation. It can be used safely and effectively when prescribed appropriately, after thoroughly evaluating the risks and benefits of treatment. When gabapentin, an antiseizure medication with high affinity for voltage-gated calcium channels was added to a structured withdrawal regimen in patients with benzodiazepines use disorder for rapid inpatient withdrawal (less than a week); patients experienced minimal discomfort and the added benefit of reduced cravings for benzodiazepines (Penders, 2015).

The review found that the onset of the anxiolytic effect was significantly more rapid for alprazolam compared with amitriptyline, and its antipanic effect was significantly more rapid compared with propranolol and imipramine. We have performed an indepth review of the alprazolam literature, summarizing older and newer publications, in an attempt to provide a better understanding of how alprazolam’s unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties affect its misuse liability and offer some prescription guidelines for its safe and effective use. Alprazolam is not only the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine, but it is the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medication in the United States, accounting for more than 48 million prescriptions dispensed in 2013 (Grohol, 2016). “Abuse liability” is the degree to which a psychoactive drug has properties that facilitate people misusing it, or becoming addicted to it, and is commonly used in the literature. Always seek the guidance of a qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a health condition. If you’re taking Xanax as prescribed, but are concerned about potential addiction, contact your doctor and share your concerns.

Signs may include swelling of the face, lips, throat, and tongue, and difficulty breathing. You should also seek emergency medical attention if you experience signs of an allergic reaction. The effects of Xanax should be mild but detectable. You should also avoid combining Xanax with drugs — even over-the-counter ones — that can make you sleepy, slow your breathing, or cause extreme lethargy.

About the Helpline RehabNet.com offers a 24/7 helpline answered by The Woodlands Grove Recovery Campus—a completely independent recovery organization located in Ohio. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Symptoms may include irritability, problems with feeding, and tremors. Your daily dose will likely be decreased by 0.5 mg in 3-day (or longer) intervals.

People often misuse Xanax to experience euphoria, and they may combine Xanax with other substances to increase their euphoric effects, but there are also other reasons behind polysubstance misuse.6 Why do people misuse Xanax, and why do they mix it with other substances? The risk of overdose and fatality due to overdose significantly increases with polysubstance use, which means using more than one substance at a time or within a short time of each other.2,11

This can help patients reach a substance-free state safely before transitioning to ongoing treatment in an inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab.8 This increases the risk of serious life-threatening consequences, including profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.1, 2 Studies have demonstrated Xanax to be effective for up to 10 weeks for short-term management of panic disorder, but it is generally not indicated for longer-term use.1, 2 These effects can calm an overexcited CNS, leading to feelings of sedation and relaxation.1, 2