What Is Xanax?

Potential Side Effects

Xanax use could cause many potential side effects on both mental and physical health. Patients taking this medication have frequently reported feeling irritable, sad, discouraged, and empty during treatment with Xanax. In terms of physical health effects, the most common side effects include shakiness, coordination difficulties, loss of appetite, drowsiness, slurred speech, and changes in speech patterns. Patients have also experienced trouble with concentration and memory while using Xanax. Less common potential side effects include diarrhea, blurry vision, behavior changes, runny nose, restlessness, difficulty with urination, and hallucinations. In rare cases, Xanax may cause nightmares, chest pain, hearing loss, and a fast heart rate. Some patients have experienced suicidal thoughts while on this medicine, and Xanax might cause some patients to appear uncaring and display a lack of emotion. Patients and their families should discuss all potential side effects with the patient's healthcare team, and any side effects should be brought to the attention of the doctors as quickly as possible.

Risks To Consider

As a controlled substance, Xanax carries a risk of emotional and physical dependence, and patients should discuss this risk with their healthcare team. Patients are more likely to become dependent on this medicine if it is taken at higher doses or for a long period. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Xanax, and it is not approved for pediatric use. Xanax may not be appropriate for individuals who have certain psychiatric conditions or for those with lung disease or severe liver or kidney problems. Patients who have been prescribed Xanax 'off-label' for the treatment of insomnia should be aware the medication reduces the time one spends in deep sleep, and this could mean that an individual feels less refreshed upon waking in the morning. If Xanax is discontinued abruptly, the patient may develop rebound insomnia that could be worse than their initial sleeping issues. Xanax needs to be discontinued gradually under medical supervision to reduce the chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.