Side Effects Of Xanax

Xanax is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines and is available as an immediate-release or extended-release tablet. Xanax is sometimes used 'off-label' for the treatment of insomnia, essential tremor, agitation, and essential tremor. Due to the risk of dependence, most patients use Xanax for no more than one month. Taking Xanax with opioids or alcohol could cause a fatal interaction, and patients who take anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers, sedatives, antihistamines, or muscle relaxants should speak with their healthcare provider before using Xanax. Taking these medicines together could lead to severe side effects, and patients might need to be switched to an alternate drug.

Some of the most frequently reported side effects associated with Xanax are discussed below.

Drowsiness

Drowsiness is the most common side effect of this medication. Patients may find they are sleepy throughout the day, and they could need to take naps during the daytime. Some individuals may sleep longer than usual. Drowsiness might impact an individual's ability to drive or operate heavy machinery, and those who are just starting Xanax should not drive or use machinery for the first few days. As the patient learns how drowsy they could become on Xanax, it may be necessary to make activity modifications. For example, patients might need to adjust their driving times or get help when using heavy machinery. Patients concerned about this side effect should speak with their doctor about if other treatment methods could reduce drowsiness.

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Insomnia

While Xanax is used to treat insomnia, insomnia is also a commonly reported side effect. Female patients over sixty years old are more likely than others to experience this side effect, and taking Xanax with zolpidem could increase the risk of insomnia. Additionally, patients with depression are particularly likely to report insomnia while taking Xanax, and this usually begins within the first month of treatment. Insomnia may cause patients to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and some with insomnia may wake up in the early hours of the morning and be unable to go back to sleep. Insomnia can lead to depression, irritability, and anxiety, and patients might make uncharacteristic errors at work or school while coping with this side effect. A sleep study may be used to help diagnose insomnia, and patients can be treated with stimulus control therapy, sleep restriction, and light therapy. Relaxation techniques such as biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing exercises may be beneficial, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help as well. Some patients find paradoxical intention to be particularly useful. With this technique, the patient goes to bed and actively tries to stay awake. The technique can ease the patient's anxiety about not being able to fall asleep, and many patients find they actually do fall asleep with this method.

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Issues With Balance And Coordination

Issues with balance and coordination are often experienced during treatment with Xanax. Patients may find they have an unsteady gait, and they could stumble more easily or have difficulty with getting up and down stairs. Individuals who use this medicine may be at an increased risk for falls and will need to take steps to prevent these as much as possible. Throw rugs should be removed, and patients should ensure there is adequate lighting in the house, particularly at night. Patients who have difficulty with balance and coordination while taking this medicine should mention these side effects to their physician. It is important to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms, and patients may need to make lifestyle adjustments to cope with these effects. For example, they might need to give themselves extra time when walking somewhere, or they may need to ask a loved one for help when using stairs. Most patients find their issues with balance and coordination resolve completely when Xanax is discontinued.

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Dizziness

Patients who use this medication may notice dizziness. They could feel lightheaded, and it may seem as though the room is spinning in circles. This side effect may be worse when the patient tries to get up from a sitting or lying position, and it can increase their risk of falling. When dizziness occurs, patients should try to find a place to sit down as soon as possible. They should get up slowly from a sitting position, and it may help to stand in place for a few moments before starting to walk. When getting out of bed in the morning, the patient may want to sit on the edge of the bed with their feet flat on the floor for several minutes before attempting to stand. Drinking water or a cold drink is recommended to ease dizziness, and patients should try to rest as much as possible. Doctors suggest that patients avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products to reduce dizziness as well. If dizziness occurs in conjunction with vision changes, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears, the patient should make an appointment with their doctor. Emergency medical care is necessary if dizziness is accompanied by a high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, speech changes, vomiting, or a severe headache.

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Memory Problems

Many individuals have had memory problems while taking Xanax. Anecdotal evidence suggests some patients can't remember important conversations while on the medication, and some have even reported the development of false memories or severe memory loss. A study published in 2016 concluded that Xanax can cause anterograde amnesia, a situation that makes an individual unable to recall events from the recent past. The risk of memory problems increases with higher doses of this medication. Elderly patients have an increased risk of memory issues while taking Xanax as well. In addition to short-term memory loss, studies in animals suggest the medicine may affect long-term memory. Patients concerned about memory issues associated with Xanax should talk to their doctor about possible alternatives.