Xanax Side Effects | Short-Term & Long-Term Effects Of Alprazolam

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a prescription drug that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat anxiety disorders like panic disorder.

As a benzodiazepine, Xanax enhances the activity of a brain chemical called gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). This chemical can cause sedation and treat panic attacks. Other popular benzodiazepines include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium). 

Available as an immediate-release tablet, extended-release tablet, dissolvable tablet, and oral solution, Xanax can cause a number of short-term and long-term side effects. 

Short-Term Effects Of Xanax

The most common effect of Xanax is calmness. The drug can also cause euphoria (intense joy), especially at high doses, which is why some people abuse it.

Other common side effects of Xanax are:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• headache
• constipation
• trouble urinating
• appetite changes
• weight loss or gain
• dry mouth
• nausea
• altered sex drive or ability
• irritability
• unusual talkativeness
• trouble concentrating
• joint pain

Contact a health care professional if these side effects last for more than a few weeks or if you experience rarer, more serious side effects, which may include:

• memory problems
• confusion
• unusual mood changes
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there)
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• severe rash, which may signal an allergic reaction
• shortness of breath
• seizures
• trouble speaking or walking
• depression
• suicidal ideation or attempts

Also, if you’re breastfeeding, note that Xanax can pass into breast milk and cause side effects in your baby, such as drowsiness and irritability. Talk to your baby’s doctor about whether you should breastfeed while taking Xanax.

Long-Term Effects Of Xanax

Most doctors prescribe Xanax only for short-term use. That’s because long-term use can lead to physical dependence, tolerance, addiction, and overdose. 

Physical Dependence

When you take Xanax on a regular basis, your body may start relying on the drug to function normally. If you stop taking it, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. 

These symptoms, which can begin just a few hours after your missed dose, may include:

• sweating
• anxiety
• depression
• headache
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• trouble sleeping
• painful, numb, or tingling hands or feet
• blurry vision
• muscle cramps
• vomiting
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• seizures

To avoid or decrease withdrawal symptoms, seek medical advice before you stop taking Xanax. Most doctors will recommend that you gradually reduce your dosage instead of quitting cold turkey. This strategy, which is called tapering, puts less stress on your body. 

Tolerance

Many people who regularly take Xanax develop a tolerance. This means that over time, they need increasingly higher doses of the drug to achieve the desired effects.  

Tolerance often leads to drug abuse. Abuse occurs when you take higher doses of the drug than prescribed, take it more frequently than prescribed, mix it with other drugs, or use the drug in any other way not prescribed by your doctor. 

Addiction

Xanax abuse frequently leads to addiction. Addiction is a serious disease that makes you feel unable to stop using a drug. 

Along with physical dependence and tolerance, common signs of Xanax addiction include:

• mood swings
• withdrawing from family and friend
• neglecting responsibilities at work or school 
• experiencing intense cravings for Xanax

Overdose

When you’re physically dependent on or addicted to Xanax, you face a high risk of overdose. That risk increases if you mix the medication with central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, other benzodiazepines, or opioids like hydrocodone, codeine, or oxycodone.

Common signs of Xanax overdose include: 

• impaired coordination
• extreme sleepiness
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• confusion
• loss of consciousness (coma) 

A Xanax overdose can be fatal. Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you or someone you know experiences the above symptoms. 

Learn more about Xanax Overdose Signs & Symptoms

Xanax Alternatives

To avoid the potentially dangerous effects of Xanax, some people use other prescription or over-the-counter medications to treat their anxiety. 

Popular Xanax alternatives include:

• buspirone (brand name BuSpar)
• antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), or fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• antihistamines, particularly hydroxyzine (Vistaril) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 

These medications often work best when combined with other treatment methods, such as mental health counseling, peer support groups, and wellness activities like exercise, meditation, and yoga. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with Xanax use, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist to learn about our substance abuse treatment programs.