Please only serious answers. I've been prescribed Xanax for anxiety.?

Question

What's the difference between Xanax and Zoloft? Is one better over the other. I'm kind of scared to take it but I know it need it. Anyone out there with any info?

Answer 1

Zoloff is a longer term mood stabilizer. My spouse takes it and it has done her VERY well to improve quality of life and reduce her blood pressure.

Xanax is available to her for panic attacks and anxiety. She used to take it when she had such sumpoms and it did stabilize her. She eventually went to 1/2 pill and then as needed, which she generally does not now. She did take 1/2 to get on a jet, which she hates doing.

Take the doctors advice and start your therapy. The worst side effects is initial fatigue, but you will feel better in the long run. Don;t drive while taking it initially until you get adjusted.

IF you do have a panic disorder, consider phychotherapy. It does have a better resolution rate.

nterestingly, she was very concerned about dependency on medicine and such and resisted the pills. She would have lost her husband and family and perhaps freedom without it, but now that she takes it, life is good. Analyze your situation of why you are taking it...certainly the doc didn;t offer it for HIS/HER health

Answer 2

I have a prescription for both. I had Xanax first and it was good for anxiety but there are 2 problems. You build up a tolerance, and it is potentially addictive. After a while I was taking too much so I went to a psychiatrist and he prescribed Zoloft. I have been on it for a little over 2 weeks and noticed a slight improvement. But the side effects are pretty strong. Really can't say whether I'll stick with it - I have to wait and see if the side effects become manageable and it has a stronger effect on the anxiety/depression.

Try the Xanax as it is a stopgap and may be all you need, but it's not something you can just keep taking every day.

Also - who prescribed the Xanax? If it wasn't a psychiatrist I'd advise seeing a psychiatrist for medication advice.

Answer 3

I had some serious anxiety issues that I was prescribed Zoloft for... it did it's job with no noticeable side effects other then relief of my anxiety. Through a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and other things I was eventually able to get off it. I have also been prescribed xanax for my intense flying phobia and will take it only on flights. Xanax, though mine was probably in a higher dosage, at first knocked me on my butt for a while. After some dosage adjustments we found a level that worked for me... though at times I was still really sleepy. This could also be due to the way I my body reacts with this drug. But it without a doubt does its job and makes it able for my to fly at all.

These drugs are used daily by millions of people around the world. Hopefully, you have been prescribed it after talking with your doctor and considering the pro's and con's,and the benefits and side effects.

please check out this website from pfizer:
http://www.xanaxxr.com/
and has A LOT of information about Xanax there! If you have any other questions please contact you doctor or pharmacist. Good luck... I totally know what you're going through.

Answer 4

Xanax is temporary.and can be very addictive... Zoloft is gradual and stays longer but has many side effects.. I use xanax to help when I have a sudden panic attack but I also take Celexa for depression , which I believe is the best one out there. I take klonopin for anxiety . Zoloft can cause way too many side effects.If I were you , I wouldn't take Zoloft but try a less agressive drug .Here is some of the side effects of zoloft .
Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
If you have anxiety , then you also have depression.. The 2 go hand in hand..
Talk to your doctor about depression and see what he can recommend..
When a person is anxious , it can also lead to depression.. thats why I said depression and anxiety go hand in hand.,.There are good meds out there .. somtimes its a matter of trial and error to find what works best for you..
For me, Celexa and Klonopin was the cure... Good luck to you

Answer 5

Xanax works within 20 mins. and is great. Zoloft is something you have to take everyday. Xanax you take when you need it. However I heard that Xanax can be addictive. I love both

Answer 6

Xanax is a benzodiazepine tranquilizer. Zoloft is a SSRI antidepressent. I suggest that you talk with your physician about taking Valium rather than Xanax for your anxiety. Valium is much more efective and doesn't make you as drowsy as Xanax.

Answer 7

Xanax is a benzodiazpine tranquilizer & Zoloft is a antidepressant. They treat different things - depression & anxiety. Tlak to your pharmacist or doctor

Answer 8

xanax is a very good medication for anxiety or panic attacks . If used properly you have nothing to fear never take more then the prescbribed dose. It can be addictive and if you are on it for more then a month your doctor when they feel its neccessary will slowly weene you down on dosage. It makes you very sleepy at forst till your body adjust. Dosent take long and you shoudl feel alot better if you are experiencing anxiety.

Answer 9

I take Lorezepam .5 mil 6 times a day, three hours apart for anxiety and it works wonders, I know it's safe. The only thing with these prescription drugs is that you can develop dependency on them, but if you have a mental disorder than don't worry, it's better if you take them because you might be on them for many years.

Answer 10

They are two entirely different medications.Xanax is a tranquilizer used in the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety or the treatment of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorder is marked by unrealistic worry or excessive fears and concerns. It is also used int he treatment of panic disorder, which appears as unexpected panic attacks and may be accompanied by a fear of open spaces called agoraphobia. Only your doctor can diagnose panic disorder and best advise you about treatment. Anxiety associated with depression is also responsive to Xanax. Some doctors prescribe Xanax to treat alcohol withdrawal, fear of open spaces and strangers, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome.
Tolerance and dependence can occur with the use of Xanax. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the drug abruptly. Only your doctor should advise you to discontinue or change your dose. Xanax may be teaken with or without food. Take it exactly as prescribed. If you miss a dose and are less than 1 hour late, take it as soon as you remember. Otherwise skip the dose and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doxes at the same time. Store the drug at room temperature. Side effects may include abdominal discomfort, abnormal involuntary movement, agitation, allergies, anxiety, blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, constipation, decreased or increased sex drive, depression, diarrhea, difficult urination, dream abnormalities, drowsiness, dry mouth, fainting, fatigue, fluid retention, headache, hyperventilation, impaired memory, inability to fall asleep, increase or decrease in appetite, and more. Do not drink alcohol with this drug.
Zoloft is an antidepressant, prescribed for major depression, the persistently low mood that interferes with everyday living. Symptoms of depression include loss of interest in your usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, constant fidgeting or lethargic movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide. Zoloft is also used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which includes unwanted thoughts that won't go away and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as handwashing or counting, or rechecking the oven to be sure it is off multiple times, or pacing in a set pattern, and for the treatment of panic disorder which is unexpected attacks of overwhelming anxiety, accompanied by the fear of their return. Zoloft is thought to work by boosting the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the b rain's natural chemical messengers. Do not take Zoloft within 2 weeks of taking another type of antidepressant medication known as a MAO inhibitor. Drugs in this categor include Nardil and Parnate.
when such combinations occur, serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur. Take the drug once a day, either morning or eevening, but at the same tiime each day. Improvement with Zoloft may not be seen for several weeks. Once started on this ddrug, expect to take it for at least several months. Zoloft may cause mouth dryness. Suck on hard candy or ice, or chew gum to alleviate this symptom