Author: James Anderson
Xanax Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Xanax belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, which have a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and addiction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Before your doctor prescribes a benzodiazepine such as Xanax, they’ll assess your risk of misuse and addiction. If you think you have a substance abuse issue, talk with your doctor.
They may recommend over-the-counter laxatives to help relieve this side effect. While it’s possible to have constipation with Xanax, some people may have diarrhea. There are some differences in the side effects of Xanax and Xanax XR.
More about Xanax (alprazolam)
The goal of therapy for constipation is one bowel movement every two to three days without straining. Sennosides (Senna, Ex-Lax) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax) increase intestinal motility and help with the flow of water into the bowel which improves constipation. Sennosides is more commonly used and slightly more effective than bisacodyl for drug -induced constipation.
Xanax may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Xanax unless your doctor recommends it. While usually prescribed short term, your doctor will determine how long you’ll need to take Xanax. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.
Anxiety, abdominal distress and insomnia tend to present at the same time, and you’ll want external support from friends and loved ones to make it through. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that slow down activity in your brain and nervous system. They’re most often used for treating anxiety and related mental health conditions, as well as brain-related conditions like seizures. These medications are tightly regulated and are only available with a prescription. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.
The strength and duration of action of benzodiazepines are important in what conditions they treat. Short-term or emergency conditions usually merit the use of stronger, short-acting benzodiazepines. Chronic, non-emergency conditions are usually treatable with lower-strength, longer-acting benzodiazepines. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
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- Physical functioning can also be affected, with side effects such as slurred speech and cognitive impairment.
- The chemical signals, known as neurotransmitters, can attach to cells with the right receptors.
- This means the drug is released slowly into your system over a period of time.
- This is called neonatal sedation and withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering treatment with Xanax include your overall health and any medical conditions you may have. Weight changes may also be a symptom of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, the conditions Xanax is used to treat. While doctors try to avoid prescribing opioids and Xanax together, sometimes other options are not as effective for treating your condition. If you need to take Xanax and opioids at the same time, your doctor will explain the risks. They’ll also monitor you closely for signs of breathing trouble and severe sleepiness as these may require emergency medical care.
Benzodiazepines (Benzos)
Dependence occurs when your body gets used to a drug and needs it to function like usual. This can happen if you take high doses of Xanax or take it long term. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.
A multitude of complications can arise from the abrupt withdrawal of benzodiazepines, many of which require hospital admission. Because benzodiazepines have a higher risk for misuse and can be habit-forming, healthcare providers tend to prescribe them cautiously. They may prescribe them only for use as needed, not daily, and they may prescribe lower doses or pick benzodiazepines that aren’t as strong. Your healthcare provider can explain their recommendations for your treatment, including the timeline for which treatments you receive and why. Misusing Xanax can cause addiction, overdose, and possibly death.
Your healthcare provider will schedule follow-up visits after prescribing benzodiazepines. In some areas, providers can’t prescribe these medications without first seeing you for a follow-up visit. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the laws surrounding prescribing these medications and the recommended schedule for you to return for a follow-up visit. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you don’t work or drive right after you start taking benzodiazepines.
How Long Does Benzo Belly Last?
Your nervous system uses chemical and electrical signals to send and relay messages throughout your body. The chemical signals, known as neurotransmitters, can attach to cells with the right receptors. Neurotransmitters and receptors work much like your car keys. Neurotransmitters (your car key) can only fit into the right receptor (your car ignition).
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. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
To learn about all your options for recovery services, contact FHE Health today. A theory that’s becoming more prominent in the scientific community explores the connection between the stomach, the GI tract and the brain. It can be demonstrated through the concept of having a “gut feeling.” This is the sensation you sometimes get in your stomach about what’s right or wrong. As it turns out, this may be more than an idiomatic expression — it may be rooted in real science.
The connection between anger and mood disorders, such as panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, isn’t well studied. One study reported that people with mood disorders may have greater feelings of anger and may not respond as well to mood disorder treatments. People who experience greater feelings of anger may also report worse mood disorder symptoms. For those who experience this condition, it can be frustrating. Many people report that it worsens when they eat or drink anything at all, sometimes to the point that it can restrict or cause pain while breathing. Some side effects of alprazolam may occur that usually do not need medical attention.