Should i take xanax for panic attacks

A doctor who prescribes this medication for longer than eight weeks should check on the status of your anxiety to see if other treatment options might be more suitable. If your doctor determines that you no longer need to take Xanax, they will slowly wean you off of the medication. Your specific schedule may vary, but generally, they will reduce your dosage by 0.

Xanax can be prescribed as:. You should take Xanax exactly as your doctor prescribes. Overdoses are possible with this medication, so be sure you don't take too much or double-up on your doses. If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it's not too close to your next scheduled time. Xanax should be kept at room temperature and, since it is a controlled substance, you should store it securely, out of the reach of others, in a tightly closed container.

Do not take Xanax with grapefruit juice, as it could increase the medication's effects, or with any other substance that can depress your CNS, like alcohol. There are several factors to keep in mind when taking Xanax. Good communication with your doctor can help you determine what's normal and when to be concerned.

The most common side effects of taking Xanax are sedation and drowsiness. In general, benzodiazepines like Xanax have fewer side effects than other longer-term medications for anxiety. Avoid driving, operating machinery, and participating in hazardous activities until you know how you react to Xanax.

Xanax can cause mania, as well as lead to abuse and physical and psychological dependence. Talk to your doctor if you have a history of substance abuse, as Xanax may not be a good choice to treat your SAD. Using Xanax together with opioids can carry serious, life-threatening side effects.

This combination can result in extreme sedation with the risk of slowed breathing, coma, and death. You shouldn't take opioids and Xanax together unless your doctor believes there is no alternative treatment available to you. If that is the case, they should keep your dosage as low as possible and watch you closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.

A number of medications can potentially interact with Xanax. It is important that your doctor is aware of all the medications you are currently taking. Drugs that may cause issues include:. Grapefruit juice may also interact with Xanax. In addition, the effects of Xanax may be intensified if combined with alcohol. There is a risk of emotional and physical dependence when taking Xanax. Withdrawal symptoms are possible if the medication is abruptly stopped and may include the risk of seizures.

This is why it's so important to work with your doctor to wean off of this medication slowly. Be sure to follow your doctor's directions for stopping Xanax or changing the dosage. Over time, there is a risk of your brain producing less GABA naturally, which may make Xanax less effective.

If you've suffered for a long time with SAD, you may wonder how to get prescribed Xanax and if it could help. While it is something that you can ask your doctor about, ultimately they will make the decision about the best treatment options for your situation. It is important not to use Xanax obtained from someone else.

Not only is it illegal to take a medication without a prescription, but it can be dangerous. Besides the risk of dependence and withdrawal, combining Xanax with other substances that suppress your CNS, such as painkillers, antihistamines, and alcohol, can be dangerous. Xanax should only be taken under the advice of a prescribing physician. Xanax can cause feelings of euphoria when taken in large doses or by people who don't have anxiety, making abuse of this substance more likely.

As always, you should check with your doctor if you have questions about taking Xanax for SAD, and you should always follow their guidelines for this medication. If you feel like Xanax isn't helping your condition, your doctor may be able to recommend another medication or another form of therapy.

Diagnosis Your primary care provider will determine if you have panic attacks, panic disorder or another condition, such as heart or thyroid problems, with symptoms that resemble panic attacks. To help pinpoint a diagnosis, you may have: A complete physical exam Blood tests to check your thyroid and other possible conditions and tests on your heart, such as an electrocardiogram ECG or EKG A psychological evaluation to talk about your symptoms, fears or concerns, stressful situations, relationship problems, situations you may be avoiding, and family history.

More Information Cognitive behavioral therapy Psychotherapy. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Panic disorder. Arlington, Va. Accessed April 12, Roy-Byne PP. Panic disorder: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. Accessed March 16, Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms. National Institute of Mental Health. Answers to your questions about panic disorder.

American Psychological Association. Craske M. Psychotherapy for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults. Natural Medicines. Gaudlitz K, et al. Aerobic exercise training facilitates the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in panic disorder. Depression and Anxiety. Vorkapic CF, et al. Reducing the symptomatology of panic disorder: The effects of a yoga program alone and in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Frontiers in Psychiatry. Roy-Byrne PP. To ensure the safe and effective use of benzodiazepines, doctors will provide the following guidance to anyone with a Xanax prescription:.

People should not use Xanax if they are allergic to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines, such as:. People should not use Xanax if they are pregnant. Benzodiazepines can potentially cause harm to the fetus. During the first trimester, for example, Xanax increases the risk of congenital abnormalities. People should usually avoid taking Xanax during the first trimester of pregnancy. Healthcare professionals should also inform people that if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking Xanax, they should tell their doctor.

A child born of a person who is taking benzodiazepines may be at risk of withdrawal symptoms from the drug. Respiratory problems have also occurred in children born to people who have been taking benzodiazepines while pregnant. Xanax may be excreted in human milk. As a general rule, people who use Xanax should not breastfeed.

Older adults, or people aged 65 years and above, may be more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines. For example, the sedative effects of Xanax may last longer in older adults.

Accidental falls are also common in older adults who take benzodiazepines. Therefore, people should use caution to prevent falling or accidental injury while taking Xanax. As with other psychotropic medications, there are some precautions to take when people with severe depression or suicidal thoughts take this drug. Episodes of hypomania and mania have occurred in association with the use of Xanax in people with depression.

According to the Treatment Episode Data Set, the number of people seeking treatment for benzodiazepine misuse almost tripled in — Long-term misuse and addiction to Xanax are associated with depression, psychotic experiences, and aggressive or impulsive behavior.

The number of ER visits involving the nonmedical use of Xanax doubled from 57, to , during — and remained stable at , in The most common drug combinations that healthcare professionals encountered in people presenting to ER were Xanax with alcohol and Xanax with prescription opiates such as hydrocodone Zohydro ER and oxycodone OxyContin. Many people use Xanax to manage anxiety disorder or to provide some short-term relief from the symptoms of anxiety.

Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by unrealistic or excessive anxiety and worry about two or more life circumstances for a period of 6 months or longer. During this period, the person has been bothered more days than not by these concerns. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia , and it may reduce the number of panic attacks a person has.

Panic disorder is characterized by regular panic attacks. Panic attacks are relatively short periods of intense fear or discomfort where four or more of the following symptoms develop all of a sudden and reach a peak within 10 minutes:.

Side effects often occur at the beginning of therapy and will usually disappear when a person stops taking the medication.