Although your doctor is the best source for answering your specific questions about anxiety and treatment with XANAX, you can find answers to common questions here. If you or a loved one is in search of Xanax addiction treatment, give our helpline a call today to discuss enrollment at Bedrock. The higher a person’s body weight, the more Xanax is needed to achieve can you overdose on xanax the same effect.
Medical interventions are rarely needed if the person has overdosed on Xanax alone with no other substances involved. In rare cases, doctors may prescribe flumazenil, a benzodiazepine reversal drug. However, flumazenil can carry health risks like seizures and heart rhythm abnormalities, so it is not widely used.
- Our Admissions Coordinators are available 24/7 to answer questions about treatment, admissions, or any other questions you may have about addiction care.
- Weight changes were a common side effect in studies of the drug.
- If you’re wondering how to pay for Xanax, talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.
- The depressant effects of Xanax combined with other substances can also lead to a deep, prolonged coma.
Alprazolam side effects
Fortunately, steps can help minimize your risk of a Xanax overdose. These include proper prescription use, avoiding self-medication and recognizing signs of a Xanax dependency. Xanax is the most commonly prescribed benzo, with almost 17 million prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. in 2020. Although little data is available specifically on Xanax addiction rates, experts know that about 2% of people prescribed benzos have benzodiazepine use disorders. This means that around 340,000 Americans likely have an addiction to Xanax. A common reason people take more Xanax than they should is to try to self-treat sleep or anxiety problems.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Whether you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. A Xanax overdose can be fatal, especially when Xanax is taken with another drug.
Common Xanax Side Effects
In severe cases, a Xanax overdose can cause respiratory depression, where breathing slows down to a dangerous point. Reducing respiratory rate is harmful, as it lowers oxygen levels in the brain and body. If this continues to happen, the individual can slip into respiratory failure, a potentially fatal condition requiring immediate medical attention. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers. Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone.
Lethal Xanax Dosages
Though an accidental overdose on Xanax is unlikely, you could easily overdose on a fake, illicit Xanax pill that includes other substances like opioids. Xanax (Alprazolam) is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which work by calming the central nervous system.
- For more complete information on possible side effects of Xanax, you can talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.
- Mild side effects of many drugs tend to fade in a couple of days or a few weeks.
- Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.
- CNS depressants and alcohol both achieve the same task — slowing things down, due to their depressant nature.
- Examples of opioids include oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone) and morphine (Kadian, MS Contin).
This occurs because Xanax depresses the central nervous system, affecting the brain’s ability to control muscle movements involved in speech. Benzodiazepines are sometimes used in suicide attempts, which can be fatal. However, benzos don’t cause many fatal overdoses unless other substances are also used. If an interaction is suspected by your physician, an alternative to Xanax is likely to be prescribed to avert dangerous complications. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 10,500 people died in 2016 from an overdose related to benzos. Unfortunately, Xanax use can cause weight loss, which may lead to increased risk of overdose for some people.
This drug should only be taken only under medical advice with a prescription, at the doses indicated by the doctor, only for the period of time indicated. One of the initial signs of a Xanax overdose is extreme drowsiness and sedation. Unlike the typical soothing effects of the drug at prescribed doses, an overdose causes intense lethargy, making it challenging for the individual to stay awake or alert.
Typically, it takes about four to five half-lives for a drug to leave your system entirely. But they have been reported with benzodiazepines, which is the group of drugs that Xanax belongs to. Dependence means that your body gets used to a drug and needs the drug to feel normal. If you have symptoms of low blood pressure while taking Xanax, talk with your medical professional.
This medication may worsen depression and cause thoughts of suicide. This can happen at any time but is more common after first starting treatment and after a change in dose. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood and behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with this medication.
They’ll monitor your condition closely to help prevent your symptoms from becoming worse. They may recommend certain treatments to help relieve your withdrawal symptoms. If you’re concerned about dependence when using Xanax, talk with your medical professional. If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction to Xanax, be sure to call your medical professional immediately. If you feel as if you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Understanding the potential risks of taking too much Xanax is important for anyone using the medication. It’s possible that your medical professional will recommend that you use Xanax together with other drugs to treat your anxiety. Working with your healthcare team may help you stay on track with your treatment. These side effects can be dangerous if they occur while you’re driving. Although Xanax and opioids work differently in your body, they can cause similar side effects.