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Over 34% of adults in Oregon have symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety presents itself in many forms and isn’t always as severe for some as it might be for others. For those who struggle with anxiety and its side effects, one of the common medications used to help is alprazolam. You might know it by its brand name, Xanax.
As with any prescription, alprazolam has its own list of side effects for those who take it. Alprazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine, meaning it goes through the system in a short period of time. This is beneficial for those who need quick relief from things such as panic attacks, but this short-acting form also leaves the body with less time to adjust to the substance both being in the body and leaving the body. At Serenity Lane, we want to help our clients and their families understand the medications they are using, how they’re helping, and what potential side effects you might encounter.
For alprazolam, here are some of the most common side effects:
There are other side effects that are much less common, and most people report the more common side effects improving after the first couple weeks of use.
Benzodiazepines cover a wide range of uses, though they’re primarily utilized to help with anxiety, sleeping disorders, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. In the case of alprazolam, its primary function is to help those with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) as well as panic disorders.
GAD does not mean feeling anxious about things sometimes. They’re classified by l excessive amounts of worry and anxiousness for at least six months. Some other symptoms include:
Panic disorders are classified as someone experiencing unexpected and repeated moments of intense fear. These moments can come with a bout of physical side effects as well like chest pains, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and sweating. Sometimes the fear of a future episode can tie into panic disorder, making an uncomfortable loop for the person.
Alprazolam can assist with those more intense moments. It’s primarily prescribed to help people in moments of high stress or anxiety to alleviate their symptoms. Sometimes it’s used longer-term, depending on the specific client. Make sure you ask your doctor about what will work best for you.
As with most prescription medications, many people might only know alprazolam by its brand names. The most well-known one by far is Xanax, which comes in both normal tablet form and in extended-release tablet form. Some of the other more common names include Niravam, which is a tablet, and Intensol, which is a liquid.
Not everyone experiences side effects when taking medication. Many things can contribute to this, from age, to metabolism, to other substances or medications you might be taking. If you’re concerned about potential side effects from alprazolam, make sure you talk with your doctor and are open and honest about what other medications or substances you’re currently taking. This allows them to make sure they can best help you when prescribing you medications.
People most commonly experience dizziness, drowsiness, and light-headedness after taking alprazolam. For those who take alprazolam more long-term, these symptoms tend to lessen over the course of the first couple of weeks.
These are side effects that have been reported from those who’ve taken alprazolam previously but aren’t nearly as common. These include:
No matter the severity of a side effect, if you’re concerned about it or want to know what other options are available, never be afraid to ask your doctor or a medical professional.
If you notice these side effects while taking alprazolam, you should talk to your doctor.
Benzodiazepines have a high chance of causing withdrawal symptoms for those who take them, sometimes even when they’re being taken exactly as prescribed. Alprazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine, meaning it enters and exits your system in a shorter amount of time. Because of this, your body has less time to adjust to not having the substance acting in your system, which creates withdrawal. This is why many doctors will wean you off of a prescription instead of cutting it cold turkey, this can help reduce withdrawal.
Here are some of the most common withdrawal symptoms:
Withdrawals can vary depending on the length of substance use, as well as what other substances might have been in your system. If you or a loved one are concerned about withdrawal symptom management, reach out to your doctor or to us here at Serenity Lane. We’d be happy to help.
If you take your medication as prescribed, and you told your doctor about any other substances you were on before the prescription, you don’t have to worry about overdosing. Some people use benzodiazepines outside of a prescription, and when too many are taken, or if they’re taken in combination with other substances, it can lead to an overdose.
Benzodiazepine overdoses on their own are rarely fatal, however, in combinations with other substances such as opioids, they can be. Here are some signs that you or a loved one might be experiencing an overdose:
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to get help. Here in Oregon, we are one of many states that has a Good Samaritan Law. This means you can call for help for a loved one experiencing an overdose and not have to worry about potential legal repercussions.
Stopping a medication that can cause withdrawals isn’t always easy, and Serenity Lane is here to help. We offer confidential screenings 7 days a week at all of our locations.
The first step, which is an important one, is to go through the detox process. Our professional, licensed staff, will assist you along the way, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms while safely working the substance out of your system.
We offer both inpatient and outpatient options and provide individual and group therapy, as well as a myriad of activities and other skill-building exercises. Inpatient treatment allows clients to stay on-site 24/7, to be away from at-home stressors, and to focus solely on their recovery. Outpatient lets clients receive the same programs while still going home to be with their families. Sometimes, clients start in inpatient treatment and eventually move into outpatient. No one path is right for everyone, which is why we have options for you.
If you’re ready to get started on your recovery journey, or even if you just want to know more about our benzodiazepine treatment options, give us a call today at (800) 543-9905.
Does Alprazolam cause mental health side effects?
Long-term use of alprazolam, or withdrawal from alprazolam, can sometimes have symptoms such as depression, insomnia, or anxiety.
How is alprazolam taken?
Alprazolam is primarily an as-needed, oral medication. It comes in extended-release tablets and liquid form.
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