Taking Xanax with alcohol can cause serious side effects, which are included in the drug’s boxed warnings. Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering treatment with Xanax include your overall health and any medical conditions you may have. Eating foods with a higher fiber content, drinking plenty of liquids, and getting regular exercise can help relieve constipation. Since Xanax is recommended as a short-term treatment, once you stop taking the drug, your constipation should go away. Yes, adults ages 65 years and older may have a higher risk of certain side effects of benzodiazepines. (This is the drug group that Xanax belongs to.) Older adults may have higher levels of Xanax in their body because their kidneys don’t work as well.
One potential side effect of Xanax is constipation, which is when you have difficulty passing stool or having a bowel movement. To prevent an overdose, your doctor may limit how many tablets of Xanax you’ll receive. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax may worsen symptoms of depression and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Doctors also report that people with depression that’s treated with Xanax may also have increased episodes of mania. With mania, you have high energy, abnormally elevated mood, or extreme changes in emotions.
- And if you drink, ask your doctor if there’s a safe amount of alcohol you can consume while taking this drug.
- Add magnesium supplements to your diet – minerals like magnesium can help improve bowel motility.
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- When they tell you it’s safe, they’ll lower your dosage slowly over time.
- For adults ages 65 years and older, doctors will usually prescribe a lower dose of Xanax to start.
Along with its needed effects, alprazolam (the active ingredient contained in Xanax) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Together, these four drugs make up 99% of benzodiazepine prescriptions. how is drug addiction related to your genes and environment Benzodiazepines are medications that make your nervous system less active. The decrease in nervous system activity makes these medications helpful for a variety of symptoms and conditions. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.
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Alcohol can interact with these drugs, causing dangerous side effects or complications. There may be other circumstances where you shouldn’t take benzodiazepines with certain foods or beverages. Your healthcare provider can answer questions about whether to change what you eat or drink while taking these medications. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that slow down activity in your brain and nervous system.
In those without co-existing conditions such as depression or a history of substance abuse, benzodiazepines may be used cautiously for a short period of time. Regular exercise, such as walking, jogging, or yoga, can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Engaging in relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation, can also help manage stress and promote a sense of calm.
When benzodiazepines are combined with other sedatives, opiates or alcohol, the risk of serious side effects such as profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may occur. Abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions greatly increases with use of this drug class. He Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that doctors avoid prescribing Xanax and other benzodiazepines with opioid pain medication whenever possible.
Combining Xanax with other medications and illegal substances can also increase the risk of overdose. Combining Xanax with other substances such as opioids and alcohol can increase the risk of sleepiness. Talk with your doctor before taking other prescription or nonprescription drugs with Xanax. And if you drink, ask your doctor if there’s a safe amount of alcohol you can consume while taking this drug.
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They can advise you about the risks and benefits of taking Xanax to treat your condition. If you develop serious side effects while taking Xanax, it’s important to call your medical professional immediately. If you feel that the side effects are life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, it’s vital to call 911 or your local emergency number right away. But if you have any symptoms that continue or bother you, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. Also, it’s important that you don’t stop taking Xanax unless your medical professional recommends it.
They can help determine if the side effects are from Xanax or the condition the drug is treating. Withdrawal symptoms with Xanax can occur within hours of stopping use of the drug. In rare cases, withdrawal symptoms from Xanax may last for several months. If you’re an older adult, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional.
They’re an important means of treating many conditions, ranging from mental health disorders to brain-related diseases. While these medications can treat many conditions and help millions, they’re not without risks. If your healthcare provider prescribes one of these medications, don’t hesitate lsd effects short-term and long-term effects of lsd to ask for guidance, and take the medications exactly as prescribed. That way, you can benefit from these medications and reduce the risk of problems along the way. Indications for the use of this drug include the treatment of anxiety, panic attacks, and other nervous disorders.
Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Common side effects of Xanax include drowsiness, fatigue, memory problems, speech problems, constipation, changes in weight, headache, and dry mouth. If there is a documented need, low doses and drugs with shorter durations (half-lives) will help to minimize side effects like dizziness, weakness, and falls that may lead to hip fractures. Certain medications, such as anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs, may be prescribed to help manage withdrawal-related seizures.
Rapid withdrawal can lead to a syndrome of severe symptoms in many patients. At all times, benzodiazepines should be discontinued under the care of a physician. Elderly patients may have liver impairment and trouble eliminating the drugs from their system. Side effects, such as dizziness, confusion or unsteadiness may persist in the elderly who are prescribed long-acting benzodiazepines.
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Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Some side effects could go away within several weeks and others could remain throughout your treatment. For example, you may have problems with memory, learning, or concentration while taking Xanax. And it’s possible these side effects won’t go away with time. If you have questions about possible side effects of Xanax, we suggest that you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.
If you have symptoms of misuse, talk with your doctor right away. Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed before starting Xanax. They can talk with you about the benefits and risks, and help you determine the best way to feed your baby. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Xanax or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you.
