Xanax: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

But if you find that the side effects bother you, talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. Most medications may cause side effects that can be serious or mild. 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. Xanax contains the active drug alprazolam, which is a controlled substance. The federal government regulates controlled substances because taking them may lead some people to misuse the drugs.

Certain withdrawal symptoms may sometimes last for several weeks or months. For instance, some interactions can https://sober-house.org/ interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal motivational enhancement therapy techniques company. Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function) should be done while you are taking this medication.

1. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of alprazolam.
2. They may suggest that you check your blood pressure periodically with a home monitor.
3. If you have anxiety, your medical professional may recommend that you take a prescription drug called Xanax.
4. As with any drug, never change your dosage of Xanax without your doctor’s recommendation.
5. If you need to take one of these drugs, your doctor will likely have you stop your Xanax treatment with a taper first.

As with most drugs, Xanax can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It’s important to tell your medical professional right away if you have symptoms of withdrawal from Xanax. They’ll watch your condition closely to help prevent your symptoms from becoming worse. They may also suggest certain treatments to help lessen your withdrawal symptoms.

Yes, alprazolam (Xanax) and other benzodiazepines have addiction potential. This means that they strongly activate the reward center of your brain and can produce feelings of pleasure. Not everyone who has a prescription for Xanax develops an addiction.

You may also be afraid of using public transportation or leaving your home alone. You should take Xanax with Adderall only if your doctor has prescribed them. Your doctor and pharmacist can help answer other questions you have. If you have additional questions about an off-label use of Xanax, talk with your doctor. For more details on the dosage of Xanax, see this article.

Is Xanax used long term?

Xanax prescribing information reports a maximum dosage of Xanax as 10 mg daily. However, the average dose of Xanax is lower than that. Your Xanax dose will also be decreased if you’re taking other medications that cause your liver to process Xanax more slowly. If you still have side effects, your doctor may decrease your dose further. There’s not a specific lowest dose that’s usually prescribed.

Your dose may be gradually increased until the drug starts working well. Follow your doctor’s instructions closely to reduce the risk of side effects. With dependence, your body becomes reliant on a drug to function as usual. Dependence can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking the drug. For more information, see the “Xanax dependence and withdrawal” section above. With misuse, a drug is taken for a purpose or in a way that a doctor has not prescribed.

They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover one or the other. If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can put Xanax in an easy-open container.

These side effects can be dangerous if they occur while you’re driving. It may not be safe to use Xanax while you’re pregnant. The drug may cause harm in newborns who were exposed to it during pregnancy.

We discuss the risks of misusing Xanax in more detail in the see “Side effects up close” section above. If you do take Xanax during pregnancy, you may want to enroll in a pregnancy registry. These registries collect details about the effects of a drug when used during pregnancy.

Dosage for Xanax: What You Need to Know

However, Xanax is not meant to be crushed or chewed. The manufacturer does not provide information on taking Xanax this way. If you have trouble swallowing Xanax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy does not have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

shallow or slowed breathing

The drugs are recommended for short-term treatment to help ease anxiety symptoms. Adderall is a stimulant medication that’s prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Doctors may sometimes prescribe Xanax with Adderall for people with ADHD who also have anxiety. Taking these medications together for this purpose as prescribed by a doctor is not known to be harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Xanax, as the reaction could become severe.

Xanax® (alprazolam) is a medication that treats anxiety. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how often you should take this medication. You shouldn’t take more than your prescription label directs.