This is called protracted withdrawal. A doctor can help a person gradually reduce their Xanax dosage. This is called tapering. Tapering can minimize the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms, including seizures.
Although withdrawal can be difficult, tapering is often effective. A bottle of Xanax should carry an expiration date and the date that the pharmacist filled the prescription. Expiration dates indicate how long the drug is safe and effective to take.
This date is based on when the manufacturer made the drug. Taking an expired drug may no longer provide full benefits. Also, there is an additional risk of adverse effects. Storing Xanax correctly helps ensure that the drug will remain effective until its expiration date.
Do not store Xanax in a bathroom, as moisture and humidity can cause the medication to break down sooner. Also, keep the bottle out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of children and pets. Make sure it stays in its original container.
If Xanax has expired, it may not be effective or safe. Do not take expired Xanax before consulting a healthcare provider. Because Xanax carries a high risk of dependency, it is important to dispose of expired or unwanted pills correctly. In the United States, correct disposal means taking the medication to an authorized Drug Enforcement Administration DEA controlled substances disposal location.
There are also drug take-back days at select times of the year. If a person cannot drop off their expired medication at an authorized location, they should follow the instructions for safe disposal in the trash from the Food and Drug Administration FDA. These include increased anxiety, tremors and trouble sleeping. They may not even feel any effects from the drug. They just have to take it to avoid withdrawals. Physical dependence is not necessary for abuse, though.
People also take the drug for the high. Taking Xanax outside of a medical prescription can be dangerous. It can cause serious side effects and even overdose, especially when mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Xanax addiction and abuse can be frustrating. But your dependence on the drug also causes stress. Trained mental health professionals can help you design a personalized plan that features both the medical and psychological treatment necessary to break the chains of addiction.
Not sure where to get help? Browse through our directory to find a quality treatment center near you. Xanax is taken by mouth and absorbed quickly by the bloodstream. Some people may first begin experiencing the effects of Xanax within 5 to 10 minutes of taking the pill. Almost everyone will feel the effects of the drug within an hour. One of the reasons why Xanax is so effective for treating panic is that peak impact from the dose comes quickly. Most people will experience it between one and two hours after taking their dose.
The effects of Xanax are brief. Most people will feel the strongest impacts from the drug for two to four hours. If that happens, you may begin to notice it takes longer for you to feel the sedative effects of the drug, and the feelings may wear off more quickly.
Xanax has a half-life of about 11 hours. 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. As Xanax wears off, most people will stop feeling the calm, relaxed, lethargic sensations that the drug is associated with. If you take this medication to relieve symptoms of anxiety, like a racing heart, those symptoms may begin to return as the drug is eliminated from your system.
A comedown is the letdown of high emotions following peak drug effects. This rebound anxiety or depression is usually temporary. Xanax has high potential to be a habit-forming drug. Symptoms of withdrawal typically begin two to seven days after your last dose. They can last two to eight weeks. Some withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. If you experience these side effects after starting clonazepam they will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.
If side effects do not improve or become problematic, consult your health care provider. Alprazolam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed.
Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use.. The risk of withdrawal reactions when stopping therapy with alprazolam is increased with prolonged use of the medication. Alprazolam may cause drowsiness, so caution should be used when combining it with other medications that cause drowsiness. These could include:. When starting alprazolam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days or within hours of the first dose of medication.
The FDA has found that benzodiazepine drugs, such as alprazolam, when used in combination with opioid medications or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death. Patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other sedating medications, or alcohol, and caregivers of these patients, should seek immediate medical attention if that start to experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slow or difficulty breathing, or unresponsiveness.
As a benzodiazepine, alprazolam comes with the risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction to the medication. Physical dependence to alprazolam can occur with prolonged use of the medication. A withdrawal reaction may occur when stopping alprazolam, but this risk can be reduced by slowly reducing the dose of alprazolam when stopping. Do not stop taking alprazolam abruptly, and do not make any changes to therapy without consulting your health care provider.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.
Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.
The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments. About Mental Illness Research. Your Journey Individuals with Mental Illness. Your Journey Family Members and Caregivers. Your Journey Identity and Cultural Dimensions.
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