What is Xanax?
Xanax, commonly referred to by its generic name alprazolam, was originally developed by Upjohn Labs in the late 1960’s. Xanax is in the class known as benzodiazepines, known to suppress the overreaction of the central nervous system. It was found to be effective for anxiety and panic disorder, and the FDA approved these uses in 1981.
Xanax is sometimes used for short-term treatment in people who have severe insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, and prolonged seizures. Xanax is considered a short-acting benzodiazepine, which means that it doesn’t last as long as other benzodiazepine medications. This can be helpful if you only need the effect for a short period of time.
The United States government has classified benzodiazepines, including alprazolam, as Schedule IV controlled substances in the Controlled Substances Act because of their abuse potential. This classification makes it easier for the government to track the prescription and distribution of Xanax.
When does Xanax start to work?
The body absorbs Xanax quickly after a person takes it. Peak levels in the blood occur 1–2 hours after taking a dose. However, the person will feel the effects before levels peak.
One study, which examined the effects of Xanax in 14 healthy people, found that participants felt the effects of the medication under 1 hour, with an average onset time of 49 minutes.
How should Xanax be taken?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xanax for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.
| Xanax dosage chart | |||
| Indication | Starting dosage | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
| Generalized anxiety disorder | 0.25 mg taken 3 times daily | 0.25–0.5 mg taken 3 times daily | 4 mg per day |
| Panic disorder | 0.5 mg taken 3 times daily | 0.5–3 mg taken 3 times daily | Not specified |
Xanax dosage for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Mental health professionals diagnose generalized anxiety disorder when a person experiences excessive worry about a range of issues on an almost daily basis for six months or more. More specific anxieties, called phobias, and short-term anxiety in adults are usually not treated with drugs like Xanax.
- Standard dosage for generalized anxiety disorder: 0.25–0.5 mg taken orally three times per day
- Maximum dosage for generalized anxiety disorder: 4 mg per day
Xanax dosage for panic disorder
People with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (fear of places that may cause panic or embarrassment) experience frequent and uncontrollable “panic attacks”—periods of intense and overwhelming fear—that come on suddenly and significantly impair daily functioning. Most healthcare professionals will start treatment with a low Xanax dose and steadily increase the dose every three to four days until panic attacks are under control. While no maximum dose for Xanax has been defined, some patients require more than 4 mg a day to manage panic attacks. Even higher doses (up to 10 mg per day) have been used in some patients.
- Standard dosage for panic: 0.5–3 mg taken orally three times per day
- Maximum dosage for panic disorder: Not specified
How Many Days Can You Take Xanax In A Row?
Xanax is only recommended for use for up to six weeks. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. Dosage frequency is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment. Your dose may be gradually increased until the drug starts working well. Follow your doctor’s instructions closely to reduce the risk of side effects.
Xanax is highly addictive due to its mood-boosting properties and ability to give you an all-around feeling of wellness. For this reason, it is easy for your brain to form a dependency on the drug. Once you get hooked to the pills, you will find that you do not want to get off of them.
Long-term use of Xanax can lead to a malfunction in the brain. You may lose coordination or have difficulty keeping your balance. Xanax can damage brain cells. This leads to all types of psychological problems, such as inhibition, reckless behavior, depression, suicide, and cognition issues.
In a large population study, benzodiazepines like Xanax were found to be associated with an increased risk of dementia in people who used them for longer than a few months, the effect increased with the dose of the drug and the duration of use.
Xanax dosage restrictions
Some people may require a lower dose or less frequent dosing. Doses should be started at the lowest possible dose and increased slowly in those with debilitating diseases or older patients.
Alprazolam is metabolized by the liver, so people with hepatic impairment will be started at the lowest possible dose (0.25 mg). The dose should only be slowly increased while carefully monitoring side effects. The dose may be decreased below 0.25 mg if adverse reactions are a problem.
Because the kidneys are not critical to the elimination of Xanax, people with renal impairment or kidney failure will not require a dose adjustment.
What affects how Xanax works?
The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of a drug’s active substance in your body to reduce by half. This depends on how the body processes and gets rid of the drug. It can vary from a few hours to a few days, or sometimes weeks. Several factors can affect how quickly the body processes it.
Some factors that may change the half-life of Xanax include:
- being older
- being of Asian descent
- smoking
- having obesity
- having alcohol use disorder
- having kidney problems
- having liver problems
All of these factors can increase the time that it takes for the body to eliminate Xanax completely.
