Working Out On Xanax | Safety & Risks

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders. It works by decreasing brain activity that causes abnormal excitement. 

As a central nervous system depressant, Xanax slows down vital functions like breathing and heart rate that affect your workout. It’s possible to work out while taking Xanax, but you should know the risks before hitting the gym.

Risks Of Working Out On Xanax

Xanax can cause side effects that interfere with your workout. The most common side effects are sedation and drowsiness, as Xanax is meant to slow down your brain and body. 

Other Xanax (alprazolam) side effects may be:

• fatigue
• lightheadedness
• dizziness
• difficulty concentrating
• lower energy levels
• muscle relaxation
• joint pain
• dry mouth

Not everyone has the same side effects when taking Xanax. You may experience most of these, none of these, or just a few. But any of them can make working out difficult or hazardous.

Risks of working out on Xanax include:

• Fatigue, lightheadedness, and dizziness increase the risk of falls or accidents, whether you’re running on the road or using exercise equipment.
• Difficulty concentrating also raises the risk of accidents, as you may not pay attention to your surroundings or use equipment properly.
• Low energy levels make it difficult to complete a good cardio workout. You might not be able to exert your body enough to benefit.
• Muscle relaxation and sedation go hand-in-hand. With these side effects, it can be hard to motivate yourself to start a workout, much less finish it.
• Joint pain can make working out painful and may cause more damage to tight joints.
• A dry mouth makes you feel dehydrated, and working out requires hydration to lubricate muscles and replace water lost by sweat.

Mixing Xanax & Other Substances

If you’re taking Xanax with other depressant drugs, you’re more likely to have adverse effects. Central nervous system depressants include sleeping pills, opioids, and other benzodiazepines, like Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). 

Mixing Xanax with antidepressants can cause complications as well. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline). 

You have a higher risk of overdose if you combine drugs. Be sure to follow medical advice and take only what is prescribed by your healthcare professional. 

Certain supplements, antihistamines, and medical conditions may also interact with Xanax and affect your workout. Always discuss these things with your doctor.

Xanax & Workout Safety

While Xanax can make it harder for you to work out, physical activity relieves anxiety and improves sleep. It’s a natural remedy for the symptoms you’re using Xanax to treat. So don’t let Xanax keep you from working out. 

Here are some safe ways to work out while taking Xanax.

Take Xanax After Your Workout

Waiting until after your workout to take Xanax allows side effects from the last dose to wear off. 

After you take Xanax, you should feel its effects within an hour (maybe as little as 15 minutes). The effects peak around two hours and start to subside. Xanax is effective for about four hours when you take it as prescribed.

The best time to work out is when the effects are at their lowest—the end of one dose and before you take another. Even better if you work out first thing in the morning when it’s been eight hours or more since your last dose.

Stay Hydrated

You work up a thirst with aerobic exercise because you’re sweating, and Xanax can make that dehydrated feeling worse. Drink water before, during, and after your workout to counteract dehydration, and you’ll have more energy to get through it.

Many people don’t realize how important water is to the body and mind. Water gives you energy, relieves anxiety, and relaxes tight muscles so you can benefit from physical exercise.

Know How Xanax Affects You

Don’t take Xanax for the first time then head to the gym. Don’t work out right after increasing or decreasing your dosage. Wait to see how Xanax will affect you so you can adjust your workout accordingly.

Adjust Your Workout

If you’re tired on Xanax no matter when you take it, maybe now isn’t the time to train for a marathon. Shorter, less intense workouts may be best for you. Try the elliptical or a yoga class that focuses on strength and balance.

Stop If You’re Tired

Working out should make you tired, but not completely exhausted. If you feel abnormally tired and your body is telling you to rest, listen to it. 

Xanax may make endurance more difficult. Pushing past your limit will likely lead to injury that slows down your workout even more.

Working Out & Xanax Abuse

Taking Xanax (alprazolam) as prescribed can affect your workout. Abusing it can derail your life. Xanax abuse increases the risk of side effects, complications, overdose, and addiction.

You’re abusing Xanax if you take it in any way other than prescribed. Taking too much, using it for too long, or ingesting pills more frequently than your doctor recommends are forms of Xanax abuse. 

One sign of Xanax addiction is a constant state of sedation, which makes physical activity difficult. You may not have the motivation to exercise at all.

If you or a loved one are struggling with Xanax abuse or addiction, we’re here for you. At Ark Behavioral Health, we offer personalized rehab programs that encourage physical well-being and mental health. 

Call us today to explore our recovery programs and take the first step toward a better life.