
What is Xanax and its side effects?
Overview of Xanax
Xanax is a brand-name benzodiazepine that works by increasing the activity of specific neurotransmitters in the brain. It is a strong prescription medication, and people buy Xanax online to treat anxiety disorders and anxiety caused by depression.
Xanax is also efficient in treating panic disorders that exist with or without a fear of the environment and conditions that might cause helplessness, panic, or embarrassment.
Xanax generic form is available with the name alprazolam. Xanax may be a habit-forming drug, and misuse of this medication can cause overdose, addiction, or even death. Fatal side effects are likely to occur if you take Xanax with:
- Opioid (narcotic) medicine
- Alcohol
- Drugs that cause drowsiness or slow down normal breathing
Xanax (alprazolam) is a controlled substance, and if you feel this medication is not working efficiently or causing harm to your health, seek help from any healthcare provider near you.
Xanax Uses
Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It works in the brain to reduce anxiety and other mood problems, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Anxiety treatment
Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that cause constant and overwhelming fear and anxiety. It is different from the pressure one faces due to stress from everyday life. Excessive anxiety can make a person avoid school, work, family get-togethers, and other social gatherings that might trigger or worsen the situation.
Bipolar disorder
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder implies the presence of a mental illness marked by extreme shifts in the mood (mood swings), sometimes including episodes of depression. This medical condition is also known as manic depression, and its symptoms include a significantly elevated mood. Xanax helps in dealing with mood swings.
Insomnia
Xanax helps treat patients with insomnia who have trouble sleeping or staying asleep for a specific period. This medical condition can be for a short term, or it may last for a longer duration. Insomnia can happen because of various reasons such as life-related stress, the environment of your bedroom (light, noise, or temperature), changes in sleep schedule, or other medical health issues concerning your sleep cycle.
Panic attack
Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror striking an individual without warning. These episodes can happen at any time, even during sleep, and the person going through this condition may believe that he is dying or going crazy.
These attacks are generally brief and may contain the following primary symptoms: sudden high anxiety with a racing heart, shaking, profuse sweating, dizziness, chest pain.
Social anxiety
Xanax helps people deal with social anxiety and make them feel less out of place. It is one of the most common mental disorders. The chances of its occurrence are primarily during public speaking, talking to strangers, making eye contact, using public restrooms, entering rooms and encountering crowds, dining in front of others, going to parties, or starting conversations. Prescription benzodiazepines were formulated to calm people suffering from anxiety, bipolar disorder, insomnia, panic attacks, and social anxiety.
What not to do while taking Xanax?
Please do not drive or perform any hazardous activity while taking Xanax. This drug can make you feel dizzy or drowsy, resulting in falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
So, avoid doing any such task until you know how this medication will affect you. Do not take grapefruit in any form while taking Xanax. An interaction of Xanax with grapefruit products can lead to severe side effects.
Xanax and alcohol
Xanax and alcohol both are depressants that slowdowns the nervous system activity resulting in:
- Memory problems, seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Impaired coordination
- Vomiting, alcohol poisoning
- Rare but severe mood and behavior effects such as aggression, rage, and hostile behavior Both substances have sedative effects; hence they can cause drowsiness, fatigue, or impairment. They can also affect your muscles, causing challenges in muscle control, coordination, and balance.
How to take Xanax safely?
The best way to take Xanax safely is by following the directions of your medical healthcare provider. You need to swallow the whole Xanax XR (extended-release) pill without crushing, chewing, or breaking it.
To get the best outcome without any potential side effects, take this medication only for four months to treat anxiety and ten weeks for panic disorder treatment. Using Xanax for an extended period increases the risk of side effects and addiction. With prior medical consultation, it is safe to use Xanax with other antidepressants to manage panic disorders. Ensure that you don't have any pre-existing liver problems before taking antidepressants.
Xanax addiction
Even at regular doses, Xanax is a habit-forming drug. Xanax addiction may happen if you take this medication for a long time or in high doses. In this condition, there is a constant urge to take Xanax.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms
When you suddenly stop taking this medication, unpleasant withdrawal may happen with the following symptoms:
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- Loss of interest
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Suicidal thoughts
To avoid such conditions, kindly ask your doctor before you stop taking this medication. Your doctor or pharmacist may ask you to lower the doses gradually.
What are the Xanax Side effects?
In older adult
The sedative effects of Xanax are more likely to sustain longer in older adults. Older adults need to take caution to avoid falling, or accidental injury as accidental falls are common in older adults taking Xanax.
Xanax side effects sexually
The CNS depressing effects of Xanax can lower a person's libido or sex drive taking this medication. In men, decreased libido can make it difficult to get an erection.
Common side effects
- Drowsiness
- lightheadedness
Severe side effects
- A seizure
- Shallow breathing
- Lightheadedness and a feeling like you might pass out
- Risk-taking behavior, hallucinations
- Being talkative or agitated, racing thoughts
- A sudden increase in energy with decreased need for sleep
- Double vision
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
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