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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