Xanax: 7 things you should know
Those who chronically use benzodiazepines such as Xanax non-orally (such as via injection) experience significant respiratory distress and a tranquilizing effect on the central nervous system (CNS). The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid taking expired medications.
What are the warnings about Xanax?
Taking Xanax with the herb St. John’s wort may lower the level of Xanax in your body. You should take Xanax with Adderall only if your doctor has prescribed them. For more information about the possible side effects of Xanax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may concern or bother you.
Treatment and Recovery for Xanax Addiction
Your healthcare provider will schedule follow-up visits after prescribing benzodiazepines. In some areas, providers can’t prescribe these medications without first seeing you for a follow-up visit. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the laws surrounding prescribing these medications and the recommended schedule for you to return for a follow-up visit. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you don’t work or drive right after you start taking benzodiazepines. You may be able to work or drive after you start taking them, depending on how these drugs affect you, the dose you take, how long the drugs last and other factors. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that slow down activity in your brain and nervous system.
Other side effects of Xanax
If you have a lung condition, your medical professional will help determine if it’s safe for you to take the drug. But if you suddenly stop taking Xanax, you may have withdrawal symptoms. It’s important that you don’t stop taking Xanax until your medical professional says it’s safe to do so. When they tell you it’s safe, they’ll lower your dosage slowly over time.
What Are the Symptoms of Constipation?
They found a 35% increased chance of developing a new non-melanoma cancer in users of hypnotics [48]. In agreeing with some of the studies above, there was also a 4.6-fold increase in the hazard of death in patients on hypnotics over 2.5 years [48]. This is more significant than the study by https://soberhome.net/amphetamine-addiction-causes-signs-diagnosis-and/ Weich et al. [47] which found a 2-fold increased hazard of death in 7 years. It was also reported that the risk of death in patients using less than 18 pills per year is increased by 3.6-fold [48]. Many studies have examined the effects of benzodiazepines on cognition with varied results.
- This call to action proves especially relevant, as those seeking treatment for BZD dependence and withdrawal are on the rise in the United States [3].
- If too much of this medicine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or cause an overdose.
- For details about this warning, you can see the “Side effects up close” section below.
- They can offer suggestions, such as nutrition changes or exercise recommendations, to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight.
Myths About Benzo Belly
Doctors report an increase in deaths among people with severe breathing problems who were taking Xanax. If you have severe breathing problems and take Xanax, your doctor will need to monitor you closely for worsening of this condition. If signs and symptoms of worsening breathing occur, your doctor will have you stop taking this drug. Taking Xanax or other benzodiazepines with opioids can result in severe drowsiness, trouble breathing, coma, and death. For more information, refer to the “Side effects explained” section above.
Other patients may experience more serious side effects such as abdominal pain and bloody stools when they take Xanax for an extended period of time or at high doses. Constipation is more common in adults over age 65 who take medication to treat psychiatric disorders. This side effect occurs because alprazolam suppresses the production of natural fluids in the intestines that help with digestion and bowel movements. If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine misuse or addiction, American Addiction Centers can help. Our programs offer unique treatment options to fit your needs, and facilities across the United States provide treatment options from detox and inpatient treatment to outpatient options and aftercare.
These findings suggest the possibility of using BZs for relieving spasm of musculature within the GI system. It would probably make sense to use longer-acting BZs such as clonazepam rather than short-acting ones (e.g., alprazolam), considering constant and continuous changes in GI motility and tone. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s been prescribed. This may include taking tablets more often or taking a higher dose than prescribed. In the case of Xanax, combining it with other substances such as alcohol is another way it can be misused.
BZDs act on the CNS to exert anxiolytic and sedative effects and, together with electroconvulsive therapy, are the mainstay therapy for catatonia [13]. We also recommend that you talk with them before you stop taking Xanax. If they tell you it’s safe to stop taking the drug, they’ll lower your dosage slowly over understanding the dangers of alcohol time. Before you start taking Xanax, it’s important to tell your medical professional about all the medications you take. If they say that it’s safe to take an opioid with Xanax, they’ll discuss the risks with you. They may also lower your Xanax dosage to lessen your risk for side effects as much as possible.
Xanax has a boxed warning for the risk of dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration. It alerts doctors and patients to side effects that may be dangerous. Xanax has a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and addiction.
Mirtazapine (Remeron) and buspirone are also effective in GAD for patients who do not respond to at least two trials of SSRIs or SNRIs. Long-term use of benzodiazepines for GAD should be avoided, when possible, due to addictive risk. It’s true that benzo belly, while common in the population of people in recovery from benzodiazepine use, is little-known and even https://rehabliving.net/100-most-inspiring-addiction-recovery-quotes/ less understood. There are plenty of myths surrounding benzo withdrawal and the feasibility of home treatments. You should never try to quit benzodiazepines cold turkey, use weed or Adderall to recover or take antidepressants, as all these “remedies” can cause severe harm. Talk to a professional about a plan and get the correct medication for the side effects.
Common physical symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, tremors, sweating, muscle cramps, headaches, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and diarrhea. Psychological symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, mood swings, depression, difficulty concentrating, and even hallucinations in severe cases. The onset of withdrawal symptoms typically begins between 2 and 24 hours after cessation of benzodiazepines. Their severity can depend on numerous factors, such as the duration of use and the specific benzodiazepine medication involved.
The most effective way to treat constipation is through long-term changes in diet. Medications like laxatives can also help with constipation relief. Constipation is one common side effect of taking Xanax but it’s rarely serious and usually goes away after a few days without any treatment needed. If you or a loved one is misusing benzodiazepines, treatment is available, and many formats and therapies are offered to suit your unique needs.