Does xanax cause memory problems? I've been taking a low dose for the past 10 years.?

Question

Will my memory improve if I stop taking it over time?

Answer 1

i have been on xanax for 8 years now and i do think it affects your memory. it will take me 2 days to tell a story cause i can't remember exactly what people says

I would say if you stopped taking it it would improve but don't stop taking it cold turkey cause you can have seizures

Answer 2

I hope you aren't taking it regularly (as in daily) for the past 10 years. If you are taking it as needed it isn't a big deal. Xanax is a highly addictive drug only meant to be taken daily for a few months at a time. If you are taking it regularly I suggest you find a new doctor (a competant psychiatrist) to ween you off of it and onto another drug that is safe for long term use. I took a low dose for 5 months and had a hard time coming off of it.

As far as memory goes, i haven't heard anything about that. But there probably aren't any studies that show results of patients taking it for longer than a few months at a time, since that has been determined to be unsafe.

Answer 3

Hi,
I first started taking benzodiazapines such as ( Ativan, Xanax, Valium) etc. as they came on the market. I was a psych nurse and fell haevy ito addiction. I have been living with anxiety and panic attacks since I was a child.
I still take xanax 1 mg TID PRN. Three times a day as needed.
I have been taking these drugs over 15 years. Many drugs can disturb the thought process and memory. To answer the question however. I think it requires further information with you. Your medication list and diagnosis. Do you drink? What are your relationships like with family?? So many factors play a role in memories and how we retain or discard them.
I have at certain times had difficulty remembering certain things, but it was dosage related. Not the drug itself for me. It is different for everyone also.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Okay, let me give u some good advice, dont go up on the dosage unless abslty nec. I was on it for seven years and up to 2mg 4xdaily. i became VERY addicted, i took 26 one time in a day. Memory loss? Absolutely, you can black out like when u drink to much. Doc told me xanax is the only pill that produces an alcohol like feeling and it has the same side effects, like blacking out and forgeting things. Please be careful

Answer 5

I dont believe it causes memory loss. I have been taking it for 3 yrs now, and my sister in law for about 15 yrs, and she remembers everything. I think as we get older our memory starts to go little by little.