Is Xanax dangerous

Is Xanax dangerous?

Drugs are only dangerous when they are misused, used in combination with other drugs affecting the absorption or elimination of the drug, or having any underlying conditions contraindicating with the drug.

So, to understand the following question, Is Xanax dangerous?

We have to discuss how Xanax should be used correctly, the drugs that should not be used in combination, and the underlying medical conditions preventing the take of Xanax.

Xanax is a drug composing of Alprazolam, an active constituent belonging to a family called benzodiazepines.

They are mainly used in anxiety and panic disorders with their different types.

Xanax acts on certain neurotransmitters in the brain producing a calming effect and causing relaxation.

So, Xanax is mainly used in anxiety disorders especially Generalized Anxiety disorder, and panic disorder associated with fear from open spaces or any places exaggerating any kind of fear inside the patient (Agoraphobia) or even not associated with this condition.

Is Xanax dangerous?

Let’s first discuss different information about the drug.

Before taking Xanax, you should inform your health care provider about the following:

• If you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to Xanax or any other benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs including Xanax.

• Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before taking the drug:
• Severe lung diseases like COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and sleep apnea (breathing stop during sleep for a short time)
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Any history of drug or alcohol abuse (personal or family history)
• Acute narrow-angle glaucoma
• If you are going to have surgery or a dental procedure.

Is Xanax dangerous?

To prevent it from being dangerous, we have to understand the right way for taking it, and the correct dose.

Administration:

Xanax is available in many dosage forms but all of them are oral forms only, regular-release tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, extended-release tablets, and oral solutions.

If you are going to take the orally disintegrating tablets, don’t put them in tablets case; get them out of the cover just before taking them.

If you are going to take the extended-release tablets, take the tablet as a whole without crushing, breaking, or chewing.

If you are going to take the oral solution form, take it with a special measuring syringe or measuring device, don’t take it with a household spoon to make sure you are taking the correct dose.

Dosage:

The dose is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, age, and weight of the patient.

You have to read the medication guide carefully before taking any drug, if there is any poorly understood information, discuss them with your health care professional to make sure of having a full understanding of them.

The following doses are the average doses taken, but of course, the dose is different from one patient to another.

• For anxiety:

Adults: 0.25 – 0.5 mg 3 times per day by a maximum of 4 mg per day.

Elders: 0.25 mg 2 or 3 times per day.

• For panic disorder:

Adults: 0.5 mg 3 times per day by a maximum of 10 mg per day.

Elders: 0.25 mg 2 or 3 times per day.

Elders are specifically sensitive to the doses of any drug as they take a longer time to get the drug out of their system.

So lower dose is described to elder and debilitated patients.

If you missed a dose, you have to take it as soon as possible; don’t take it if it is the time for the next one to avoid overdosing.

Is Xanax dangerous?

Don’t overdose and it will not be.

 

 

Overdosing depends on many factors:

• Weight
• Age
• If you have any medical conditions already existing before using Xanax, heart, kidney, or liver diseases
• If you are consuming alcohol or other drugs like antidepressants.

Elders 65 years old and older have more risk for developing serious side effects especially overdose as they take a longer time to eliminate the drug out of their system.

Symptoms of overdose:

• Tiredness
• Confusion
• Impaired coordination
• Impaired reflexes
• Coma

If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the nearest hospital or call an ambulance immediately.

Using opioids with Xanax is especially exposes the patient to a great danger of overdosing and side effects that may even reach coma and death.

Is Xanax dangerous?

If you are not going to take it with the following drugs, it will not be.

Completely contraindicated drugs that should never be taken with Xanax:

• ketoconazole
• tipranavir

Drugs causing serious interactions.

Use an alternative drug:

• abametapir
• apalutamide
• benzhydrocodone/acetaminophen
• calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium oxybates
• carbamazepine
• chloramphenicol
• cimetidine
• clarithromycin
• cobicistat
• erythromycin base
• erythromycin ethylsuccinate
• erythromycin lactobionate
• erythromycin stearate
• hydrocodone
• idelalisib
• itraconazole
• ivosidenib
• ketoconazole
• lonafarnib
• lopinavir
• metoclopramide intranasal
• nefazodone
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• saquinavir
• selinexor
• sodium oxybate
• St John’s Wort
• sufentanil SL
• valerian
• voxelotor

Finally, using Xanax in the right way, correct dose, and with no concomitant contraindicated drugs will prevent them from becoming dangerous and provides the maximal benefit from it.

Long term effects of Xanax

 

How to get Xanax

 

How long does Xanax last