If you or someone you know is struggling with a dependency on Xanax, get help now. Taking large amounts of Xanax causes sedation, drowsiness, and impaired judgment. These are worrisome side effects because they can cause accidents at work or on the road. That is why you should never operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle while taking a drug with these side effects. Excessive sleepiness puts you at risk for unforeseen accidents to yourself and others.

If you have questions about the dosage that’s right for you, talk with your medical professional. In this situation, you might be advised to take three of the 1-mg tablets to form 3 mg. Xanax has boxed warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many drugs, including Xanax, can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect was reported after the drug’s initial studies were completed. Keep in mind that weight changes are a common symptom of anxiety, which Xanax is used to treat.

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It’s possible you may gain or lose weight while you’re taking Xanax because your anxiety is easing. Weight changes may not necessarily happen because of Xanax itself. We recognize the realities of can you overdose on xanax mental health challenges and respond with compassion, connection, and community. Whether by providing reliable resources or helping you connect with the right therapist, you are always welcome as a valued member of our community. The patient should inform the doctor about all the medications he/she is using since the drug can interact with many other medications. Prolonged use of this medication during pregnancy can cause temporary withdrawal in a newborn.

• Healthcare providers should educate patients on the signs of overdose and the importance of adhering strictly to prescribed dosages.
• The additive side effects from different drugs can cause CNS depression, including symptoms such as sedation and drowsiness.
• The doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who work for Poison Control offer free, confidential consultations 24 hours per day and 7 days per week.
• If there is ever suspicion of an overdose on Xanax is occurring, call 911 immediately.

When you speak with the emergency crew, it’s helpful if you can tell them how much Xanax was taken as well as additional substances. Any information is helpful when devising an appropriate treatment. The actual dosage range that could lead to an overdose is between 331 and 2100 mg per kilogram of body weight. What this essentially means is that you would have to take an exceptionally high amount of Xanax to overdose.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Learn more about Xanax misuse and how you should respond to an overdose. If you suspect that you or a loved one is overdosing on Xanax, contact emergency medical services at 911 immediately. Most often, a lethal overdose of Xanax transpires because it interacts with other substances in our system. The products discussed in this site may have different product labeling in different countries. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.

XANAX can cause you to be drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know how XANAX affects you

Doctors may give people with severe benzodiazepine toxicity a flumazenil injection to treat the overdose. Flumazenil is an injectable drug that reverses the effect of a benzodiazepine by blocking the benzodiazepine receptor. Researchers suggest that Xanax is the most common benzodiazepine involved in emergency room visits related to the misuse of drugs. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. I learned to love myself for the first time…I’m going to start a new chapter in my life because of Silver Ridge.

Factors That Affect the Risk of Overdose

Even a few minutes of low oxygen can result in long-term brain damage, impacting memory, cognitive health, and motor functions. Severe hypoxia can also cause permanent impairment or brain death in some cases. Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. A doctor may give adults flumazenil injections if they have overdosed on benzodiazepines. They can also give children aged 1–17 years flumazenil to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines after a surgical procedure.

But in higher doses, depressants like Xanax may affect the parts of your nervous system that affect unconscious automatic functions. Your breathing, blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate. Very high doses can cause you to experience respiratory depression, hypothermia, and a slower pulse. A dangerous overdose can lead to passing out, oxygen deprivation, coma, or death.

Anxiety

Since Xanax enters and exits the body rapidly, Xanax is usually taken in multiple doses throughout the day. When starting a therapeutic regimen, a low dose of Xanax is administered then increased until the desired effect ensues, and thus, a final daily dose can exceed 10 mg. However, unlike opioid overdoses which can be treated by naloxone, there is no known medication that can completely reverse a benzodiazepine overdose. Persons with certain pre-existing physical and mental health conditions should not be prescribed Xanax. The leading cause of overdoses caused by Xanax is mixing the antidepressant with substances, especially alcohol.

However, when overdosed, these depressant effects become dangerous, resulting in several potentially life-threatening issues. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.

Show it to your pharmacist on your phone

• Commonly used dosages are mentioned below, but always take the dosage your medical professional recommends.
• Xanax overdose death was particularly likely when the medication was taken in conjunction with hydrocodone, oxycodone, and methadone.
• Xanax is a powerful medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
• The doctor will determine the appropriate dose depending on the severity of the symptoms and the specific effects observed in the patient.

Xanax acts on the brain by increasing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA reduces brain activity, helping to calm the mind and body. This makes Xanax effective for treating anxiety, panic attacks, and even insomnia in some cases. To receive weekly information on mental health, you may want to sign up for the Psych Central newsletter. You’ll find stories directly from other people on their mental health journey as well as the latest information on treatments.

It originally intends to treat anxiety and panic disorders, but some people tend to abuse it because of its euphoric effects. Before the doctor prescribes this to you, they need to know if you have pre-existing conditions. This helps you avoid experiencing hazardous drug interactions. Therefore, it is highly advisable to follow your doctor’s prescription to avoid physical dependence, or worse, Xanax overdose. Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses.