What are the withdrawal symptoms of Alprazolam?
Abstract
The benzodiazepine medication alprazolam is sold under the brand name “Xanax.” One of the most often prescribed drugs in the US, it is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
The sedative drug Xanax slows down mental activity and other brain functions. This impact can help treat mental illnesses like anxiety when used properly. Compared to other people, those who suffer from anxiety have exceptionally high levels of stress and anxiety.
Xanax is an addictive drug, despite the fact that it has medical applications. Although addiction can begin even when a patient takes medication as directed by their doctor, it is more likely to do so when the medication is abused.
A person may start the first stage of medical detox after participating in a rehab programme for Xanax addiction. The body metabolizes and eliminates Xanax from the system during medical detox.
Those who have undergone the process of detoxification may consider it as a turning point in their lives. Detoxification is a crucial step on the route to recovery. Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines can be difficult to quit from, but the results can be life-changing.
What is xanax (alprazolam)?
One of the benzodiazepines that is most frequently administered in the US is Alprazolam. Patients with anxiety and panic disorders, including social anxiety disorder, various phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder, are treated with Alprazolam by doctors. Despite being particularly helpful in treating illnesses linked to anxiety, this medicine is also highly addictive and is commonly misused.
Because Xanax is a central nervous system depressant, taking it makes you feel calm and relaxed. Depending on the dosage, the tablets come in a variety of shapes and colors, however taking Alprazolam in big doses might amplify the drug’s typical side effects.
The drug’s generic name is alprazolam, and it is also marketed as Xanax, XR, and Niravam. It belongs to the benzodiazepine drug class alongside Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan, among others.
Is xanax (alprazolam) addictive?
Since Xanax is a Schedule IV regulated narcotic, it has both a genuine medical use as well as the potential for abuse and addiction.
According to research, those who have a history of substance use disorder, a disease marked by compulsive drug use despite harmful effects are highly susceptible to abusing and becoming addicted to benzodiazepines. According to results of a different study, those who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse especially prefer alprazolam because they find it to be more pleasurable than other benzodiazepines.
Any benzodiazepine can cause physical dependence if used for a long enough period of time. When a benzodiazepine like Alprazolam becomes physically addictive, users may experience numerous recognisable withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it.
What is the dosage for Xanax? How is it taken?
- When administering immediate release tablets, the beginning dose for treating anxiety is 0.25–0.5 mg three–four times a day. Up to a daily maximum intake of 4 mg, the dose may be increased every 3–4 days.
- 0.5 mg three times a day is the recommended starting dose for treating panic episodes. Every three to four days, doses can be raised, but not by more than 1 mg each day.
- For only certain patients, the daily dose that prevents panic attacks may be as high as 10 mg. When treating panic disorder with extended-release tablets, the starting dose is 0.5 mg once daily, and the recommended dose ranges from 3-6 mg once daily.
- You can take alprazolam with or without food.
How Much Xanax Causes Withdrawal?
Patients who use more than 4 mg of Xanax per day for 12 weeks or longer appear to be at an increased risk of physiological dependence and severe withdrawal. However, When the medicine is stopped, those who were taking lower doses, particularly for extended periods of time, may still experience withdrawal symptoms. The risk of withdrawal is not always eliminated by keeping Xanax dosage below 4 mg per day. According to one study, withdrawal symptoms affect one-third of users of benzodiazepines for six months or longer.
Factors that Affect Xanax Withdrawal
Xanax withdrawal can be influenced by a number of things. Higher doses, continuous use of several benzodiazepines, longer periods of use, and the usage of shorter-acting benzos are all linked to more severe acute benzodiazepine withdrawal (e.g., Xanax). Additionally, evidence suggests that withdrawal from alprazolam may be linked to more cases of return anxiety than withdrawal from other benzodiazepines. These side effects are frequently worse than they were before starting Xanax.
Concerns about Xanax use among some communities also exist. The drug’s pharmacological effects can change depending on how well the body is able to absorb, digest, and remove active forms of the substance. According to studies, elderly people, people with liver illness, and obese people may metabolise Xanax more slowly. According to research, Asians may have longer Xanax elimination durations and substantially greater peak serum concentrations than Caucasians.
Xanax(alprazolam) Withdrawal Symptoms
Although xanax (alprazolam) detoxification and withdrawal might be uncomfortable, they are an essential step on the path to long-term recovery. Alprazolam, the active ingredient in xanax, has a half-life of around 11 hours, which means that it takes the body about 50 hours to completely eliminate it. When compared to other benzodiazepines, Xanax has one of the shortest half-lives, so although this may seem like a long period. As a result, compared to similar medicines, withdrawal symptoms may start to show more quickly.
Alprazolam, the active ingredient in xanax, should often be tapered off for safety reasons. Seizures are just one of the serious negative effects of stopping it abruptly. A person should always speak with a doctor if they want to stop taking xanax (alprazolam) in a safe manner. People who have a valid prescription should contact their prescriber. People taking it without a prescription should consider substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
Physical xanax (alprazolam) withdrawal symptoms may such as:
- Convulsions or seizures
- Diarrhea or soft stool
- Increased menstrual bleeding, breast tenderness and menstrual cramping for women
- Headache
- Heart palpitations or tachycardia
- Muscle spasms or twitches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sore, stiff muscles
- Sweating or excessive perspiration
- Tremors or shaking, particularly in the hands
- Weight loss or weight gain
Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
In addition to physical side effects, xanax (alprazolam) withdrawal symptoms can be psychological. Psychological xanax (alprazolam) withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Anxiety and panic
- Confusion or depression
- Heightened senses (e.g., noises seem louder, lights seem brighter)
- Insomnia or restless sleep
- Irritability
- Nervousness or tension
- Paranoia and fear
Conclusion
Because Xanax is so addicting, doctors frequently only recommend medication for short-term use. Considering how the medicine affects the brain, it makes obvious that those who use it for longer than is recommended (or without a prescription) have a considerably higher probability of becoming physically dependent on it.
Additionally, this makes the process of stopping the drug physically and mentally challenging. Users who adhere to their medication and only use Xanax temporarily may still experience withdrawal symptoms.
You can experience symptoms as early as 6 hours after your last dose. They will gradually start to worsen and reach their peak severity 48 hours after your last dose. After 4 to 5 days, the majority of your withdrawal symptoms should be gone. However, Xanax use can have a long-term negative impact on the brain, particularly if you were a strong user.
Your brain will need time to recover from the drug’s effects and relearn how to operate normally. If you started taking Xanax to manage your anxiety, you should anticipate that once you stop taking it, your condition will get worse or feel more severe. Psychosis, long-term cognitive impairment, memory loss, and dementia are additional long-term impacts that may have a lifetime impact.
You may also experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) that can also lead to withdrawal symptoms for months or years after quitting. You may have the typical withdrawal symptoms, drug cravings, ongoing mood changes, sadness, and social issues, and more.
