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Xanax is known for its fast-acting effects on calming the nervous system. However, while it can be effective for things like anxiety, there’s a range of Xanax side effects and risks, especially with misuse or long-term use. Whether you’re using Xanax as prescribed or have concerns about its risks, it’s important to understand the potential side effects you could experience.
What is Xanax?
Xanax, also known by its generic name alprazolam, is a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine medication in the United States and isused to treat anxiety and panic disorder. While Xanax is FDA-approved for anxiety and panic disorders, it is also occasionally used off-label for insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, and depression.
Xanax is available in two forms: immediate-release and extended-release. The immediate-release version takes effect within 30 minutes, but its calming effects wear off quickly. This requires multiple multiple doses throughout the day to maintain the calming effect of the medication. On the other hand, the extended-release version provides longer lasting relief and is taken once daily to manage symptoms throughout the day.
What Xanax Does to the Body
Aside from calming the mind, Xanax can affect the entire body. As a benzodiazepine, it affects the central nervous system and other areas of the body like the respiratory system and the brain. Here’s what you should know.
Xanax and the Brain
Xanax helps reduce anxiety by boosting the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is a chemical that calms down the nervous system. This means less overstimulation and more control over anxiety and panic attacks. However, long-term use of Xanax may have more complicated effects on the brain:
- It may speed up natural age-related shrinkage in brain areas that are involved in memory and mood, such as the hippocampus and amygdala.
- Some research shows a potential link between long-term use of benzodiazepines and a higher risk of developing dementia. In a study, around 13% of participants who had taken these medications at some point ended up with a dementia diagnosis.
Xanax and the Respiratory System
Not only does Xanax affect the brain, but it can also affect your respiratory system, especially for those with existing respiratory conditions. The calming effects of Xanax can sometimes slow down the respiratory rate which can lead to risks:
- COPD patients using benzodiazepines face a higher chance of experiencing worsening symptoms.
- Patients are more likely to need emergency treatment for breathing problems like COPD flare-ups or pneumonia.
- Xanax use can cause wheezing and slowed breathing, otherwise known as respiratory depression.
Xanax Side Effects and Withdrawal
While Xanax can be effective in managing anxiety and panic disorders, it’s not without its downsides. Like all medications, it comes with the potential for side effects. Some people may experience mild discomfort, while others might face more severe reactions, especially with long-term use. Additionally, when taken regularly, the body can become accustomed to Xanax, making it difficult to stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Mild Side Effects
Most side effects of Xanax are mild and tend to go away as the body adjusts to the medication. Since Xanax works by enhancing the effects of GABA, many of the side effects are related to its sedative properties.
Commonly experienced mild side effects include:
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Light-headeness or dizziness
- Headache
- Dry mouth or increased salivation
- Nausea, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal discomfort
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue or general weakness
In some cases, patients may experience mood changes like nervousness, insomnia, or mild depression. These effects usually appear at the start of therapy and often subside with continued use. Cardiovascular symptoms like palpitations or a drop in blood pressure may also occur, though they are less common.
Certain sensory and musculoskeletal symptoms may develop, too, such as tremors or muscle stiffness. Skin reactions like dermatitis or allergy-related symptoms may occur but are generally rare. Weight changes, either loss or gain, can also happen with long-term use.
Adverse Side Effects
While Xanax is generally considered safe when taken as prescribed, it can cause more serious or adverse side effects in some cases. Adverse side effects tend to be more severe than mild ones and may not subside with continued use.
Possible adverse side effects include:
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion
- Irritability or mood swings
- Muscle weakness or loss of coordination
- Seizures, especially during withdrawal
- Fatigue
- Slurred speech
- Transient amnesia or memory impairment
- Jaundice
- Changes in libido or sexual function
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Incontinence or urinary retention
- Skin reactions like itching (pruritus)
- Vision disturbances like double vision (diplopia)
- Speech difficulties (dysarthria)
If any of these adverse side effects occur, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Xanax
Xanax withdrawal symptoms can emerge within 8 to 12 hours after the last dose and often peak around the second day. Due to Xanax’s high potency, withdrawal can be more intense than other benzodiazepines, with some symptoms lasting for weeks or longer. Stopping Xanax abruptly without tapering can worsen symptoms.
Withdrawal progresses in three phases: early withdrawal, acute withdrawal, and late withdrawal. Here’s what each phase looks like:
- Phase 1: Typically begins within the first two days after stopping Xanax. Common symptoms include headaches, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and panic attacks.
- Phase 2: Peaks around days three to six, when symptoms can intensify. Symptoms include memory problems, hallucinations, aggression, muscle aches, nausea, tremors, and elevated blood pressure.
- Phase 3: After about a week, physical symptoms may begin to disappear, but psychological symptoms like cravings, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts can linger.
Warnings for Taking Xanax
While Xanax can be helpful for those struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, it also carries serious risks. These risks are amplified when Xanax is misused or combined with other substances.
Xanax Drug Interactions
Xanax can interact dangerously with certain medications, causing serious side effects or life-threatening complications. These medications and substances include:
- Combining Xanax with opioid medications can depress the respiratory system, increasing the risk of respiratory failure or death.
- Xanax can enhance the sedative effects of other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, other benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. The combined sedative effect can cause extreme drowsiness, impaired coordination, and respiratory depression.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., imipramine and desipramine) can elevate the levels of both drugs in the bloodstream. This can lead to an increased risk of dizziness, sedation, and cognitive impairment.
Misuse and Addiction
Xanax has become one of the most misused prescription drugs due to its relaxing, euphoric, and disinhibiting effects, making it highly addictive, especially for those with a history of substance use disorders. According to recent studies, Xanax-related emergency room visits are more frequent than those associated with other benzodiazepines, with one ER visit for every 311 Xanax prescriptions. Data from the CDC also shows that between 2003 and 2009, Xanax-related deaths saw a substantial increase.
Additionally, a survey of 30.6 million adults who used benzodiazepines showed that 17.2% misused the medication. Misuse was common among younger adults (ages 18-25), while older adults (ages 50-64) were more likely to use the medication as prescribed.
When to Seek Help for Xanax Misuse and Addiction
If Xanax is starting to feel more like a necessity in your life, it may be time to seek support. Misuse and addiction to Xanax can build quietly but lead to significant mental, physical, and emotional struggles. Don’t wait until your symptoms escalate; connect with a mental health professional today.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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