Xanax is a brand of alprazolam, a powerful benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. The medication comes in the form of a tablet that quickly dissolves in the mouth, an extended-release tablet, or a concentrated oral solution.
Benzodiazepines can have therapeutic anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, muscle relaxing, and sedative effects. Xanax works by increasing the effects of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which promotes calmness and produces a relaxed feeling. The drug decreases the level of excitement in the brain to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
However, this action can make a person fall asleep due to the enhancing effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that calms brain activity, which can help a person relax and fall asleep.
Xanax is taken by mouth and is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. You should start feeling the effects of Xanax in under an hour. The medication reaches peak concentrations in the bloodstream in one to two hours following ingestion. Immediate-release formulations of Xanax have an approximate half-life of 11 hours but can vary from 6 to 27 hours for some individuals. It takes several more cycles for the drug to be eliminated from your body entirely. Your symptoms will likely fade before the medication has completely left your system. The bulk of your symptoms should subside within 24 hours of your last dose.
How to take Xanax without getting sleepy
Unfortunately, there are no ways to take Xanax without getting sleepy because sedation is one of the major effects of Xanax. In some cases, your sleepiness will lessen over time, as your body adjusts to the drug.
Feeling sleepy throughout the day can interfere with your quality of life, possibly hurting your performance at work or keeping you from participating in daytime activities. Drowsiness can also increase your risk of falling, which can lead to injury and disability, and it can affect your ability to drive safely.
If Xanax is causing excessive sleep or affecting your ability to drive or work, call your doctor. Resolving the Xanax-induced sleepiness may simply be a matter of adjusting the dose or changing the medication entirely.
If you are feeling tired after taking Xanax, you may have reached for a cup of coffee to help you feel more awake. But mixing Xanax and caffeine is not a good idea. Experts suggest that you keep healthy sleep habits to get a good night’s rest; limit over-the-counter drugs that have drowsiness as a side effect; completely avoid other substances that can cause tiredness, such as alcohol products.
Can I use Xanax for sleep?
No, Xanax, is not a sleeping pill, if one uses Xanax as a sleep agent for a long period of time, a steady increase in dose may be required to achieve the desired therapeutic effects. Continued use can also lead to dependence and withdrawal when use is abruptly reduced or stopped. When an individual stops taking them, there can be a rebound effect, resulting in life-threatening complications such as seizures.
