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. Other serious complications from overdose include pneumonia, muscle damage, brain damage, and even death. Overdose can happen when a person takes larger doses of Xanax than prescribed, they take it more frequently than prescribed, they inject the drug, and/or they mix it with other CNS depressants. Though tapering off Xanax may help with the intensity of withdrawal, certain symptoms are still common when you discontinue Xanax. Patients who experienced anxiety prior to starting Xanax may feel more anxious after stopping it.
3. Misuse of Benzodiazepine
If you have liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Xanax for you. Because your liver helps to remove Xanax from your system, the drug can build up in your system https://sober-house.org/biofeedback/ if you have liver problems. If needed, they may slowly increase your dose and monitor your side effects. If you have an increase in side effects, they’ll lower your dose.
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More studies will need to be carried out on the non-pharmacologic treatment of BZD withdrawal, as it is showing some promise for the successful discontinuation of the drugs. Before starting Xanax treatment, it’s recommended that you tell your medical professional if you have any lung conditions. In some situations, death has been reported in people who had severe lung conditions and took Xanax.
Xanax precautions
The recommended daily intake of water is eight cups per day, but many people don’t attain that goal. Constipation might occur because alprazolam can slow your bowels’ contractions by decreasing the amount of water in the intestines. Constipation can lead to other problems such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures (tears) which may require medical attention. The use of Xanax can cause constipation in some people, but it is not the only cause. People who are taking other medication that causes constipation, have a reduced diet and fluid intake, or are going through menopause may also experience this side effect. The risk of developing side effects varies from one person to another; it also depends on other factors such as age, gender, diet, usage duration, etc.
- To help avoid withdrawal symptoms, do not stop taking Xanax unless you first talk with your doctor.
- Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech.
- Cannabis is often known as marijuana or “weed.” Taking Xanax with cannabis could increase the risk of side effects from Xanax, especially sleepiness.
- In some patients, severe allergies like anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with benzodiazepines.
This process can help minimize the severity of withdrawal effects. Breastfeeding isn’t recommended while taking Xanax or other benzodiazepines. The potential side effects in a baby include sedation, poor temperature regulation, and lethargy. Because this tolerance might compel you to increase your dose, Xanax can be highly addictive.
Xanax Warnings and Interactions
To help avoid withdrawal symptoms, do not stop taking Xanax unless you first talk with your doctor. When you and your doctor agree that you should stop taking Xanax, they’ll reduce your dose slowly over time. Consuming alcohol during Xanax treatment can also increase your risk of an overdose from Xanax and, in rare cases, death.
Xanax is known to cause constipation as a side effect rather than diarrhea. Benzodiazepines like Xanax are usually well-tolerated, but they can lead to some side effects. Side effects of Xanax are usually mild and go away after a few days. Finally, it’s important to exercise more often since exercise stimulates bowel movements and gets those intestines back in shape.
Milder effects are seen with longer-acting BZD that are used for shorter periods [61]. Those who have never experienced withdrawal symptoms from BZD discontinuation could quit using BZD more easily [62]. Baseline anxiety is an important indicator of withdrawal symptoms [63]. People with severe anxiety before starting treatment with BZD typically have more severe withdrawal symptoms, and thus have a harder time fully discontinuing the drug [63].
It’s better to consult your doctor as they will suggest the effective treatment suited to your situation. In addition to medical interventions, there are also natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can support individuals going through benzo withdrawal. These approaches can help alleviate symptoms and promote overall well-being during the recovery process.
A multitude of complications can arise from the abrupt withdrawal of benzodiazepines, many of which require hospital admission. People who have underlying medical conditions that could lead to constipation should also discuss it with a healthcare provider. Constipation could indicate that something is amiss with the management of that condition, and the treatment plan may need to be adjusted. Constipation is when bowel movements are dry, hard, sometimes painful, and occur infrequently (less than three times a week). Many potential causes of constipation exist, including medications, pregnancy, lack of physical activity, or a disease or condition.
Using any of them together with this medicine may increase the chance of serious side effects. Using this medicine with any of the following https://rehabliving.net/how-long-does-acid-last-average-trip-effects/ medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Benzodiazepines increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger) in the brain. This slows down the nervous system and has a relaxing, sedative effect that works to relieve anxiety. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. outpatient pharmacies dispensed around 92 million benzodiazepine prescriptions in 2019. Consult with your doctor if you are tapering off Xanax; they will provide you with specific instructions on how to do so safely. Generally, you can expect to decrease your Xanax dosage by no more than 0.5 mg every three days.
For example, you may be able to take over-the-counter medications like laxatives or enemas with the blessing of your healthcare provider. The use of medications, especially those that are psychoactive and have the alcohol intervention potential to be addictive, requires caution. Potential side effects and interactions must be understood before taking any drug. This is particularly true when taking more than one medication at the same time.