Xanax effects?

Question

I was just prescribed 0.5 Xanax to take as needed for anxiety/panic I have been experiencing since starting Welbutrin XL.
My doctor told me to go home and try it without an anxiety attack to see how I respond to it, so we know if I am able to tolerate taking it during the day (at work/driving etc.) if I suffer an attack.

I took one last night and I was sooo sleepy, I couldn't hold my eyes open, I was slurring my speech and staggering like I was drunk!
I want to know, will the drowsiness, slurred speech get better as my body adjusts to it?
I am hoping so, otherwise it does me no good unless I have an attack while I'm at home. I surely can't go anywhere like I was last night!

Maybe I should clarify...
I am not on Wellbutrin for depression. I had a hysterectomy at a young age and since I have had severe mood swings/anger that have been controlled well by Paxil for many years. BUT the Paxil caused me to gain alot of weight and have no libido whatsoever. So the doc switched me to Wellbutrin which has caused weight loss and increased libido, did wonders for libido AND is helping me quit smoking.

Answer 1

Hi Lissy!

The usual initial dose I see in practice is 0.25 mg three to four times daily. Try cutting the dose down by half initially and see how you respond to it.

To answer your question, yes, people do develop tolerance to Xanax's side effects (mainly drowsiness, dizziness, decreased concentration, some reterograde amnesia) while they continue therapy with it. But that is usually when they are on it regularly.

If you plan on taking it intermittantly for panic attacks and its making you so drowsy that you're falling asleep, the dose is too high. Like I said earlier, try a 0.25 mg at bedtime and see how that works for you. If its still too much, you can start at 0.125 mg (which is the starting dose for elderly patients).

One more thing, Wellbutrin is a very stimulating antidepressant. If the type of depression you have makes you have panic attacks, its not a good choice of an antidepressant, as we usually tend to chose antidepressants which have a sedating to neutral effect to counter that type of depression. Better options would be Effexor (Neutral, my #1 choice), Zoloft(Neutral), Paxil (Neutral), Celexa (Neutral), Remeron (sedating) and Luvox (sedating). Wellbutrin and Prozac are bad choices for that kind of depression because they're both stimulating. Maybe you should get your antidepressant re-evaluated. Remember, you have been experiencing panic attacks due to the Wellbutrin and its stimulating properties, and its wrong to treat the side effects of one drug by adding another. Dr's these days, sigh...

**Edit (after the additional details provided by Lissy): Ok, Wellbutrin and Remeron are the only 2 antidepressants which don't have sexual dysfunction as a side effect. Remeron is associated with a lot of weight gain as well, so I wouldnt go that route if its a concern. Wellbutrin is an appropriate antidepressant for you in that case. Other options you have is hormone replacement therapy, which can help with all the symptoms you stated. But thats another story...**

Good luck and I hope I've helped you with your question!

Snoopy, BSc. Pharmacy, PharmD
(Pharmacist)

Answer 2

Xanax is a very powerful drug that doctors like to hand out like candy to solve everyone's problems. Unfortunately, they are VERY addictive- only takes 2 or 3 and hard to kick.
Be careful and evaluate your situation.. do you really need the meds to control the problem?
As well, yes, they do make you very drowsy-there are warnings on the bottle and I am not sure if it will subside because I have never taken them for more than a day or two at a time and always at night to sleep but I would assume that your body will get used to the dosage and want more... that's the other problem
you will want more AND, as soon as you try to get off of them.. your body does a withdrawal with the symptoms mocking a panic attack i.e. enabling you to take more medication to satisfy the need.
Be careful with this one!

Answer 3

I have taken xanax when I was very panicky about getting on an airplane I took the same dosage as you and 5 minutes later I sat down and I just smiled! I felt better and not scared or panicked anymore, and as I don't have regular attacks I take a half one when I do and I take a half one to help me sleep at night!

Answer 4

I have taken xanax for panic/anxiety for awhile. I find that if taken when I am mildly anxious not really in the throws of a panic attack it makes me very sleepy. I like to take it to settle down at night. I fall asleep quickly and easily. Sometimes if I take it at night it is a bit harder to wake up in the morning. Now it is a different story for me if in a serious panic! It is the one thing that stops it quickly and under these circumstances I usually do not get tired. I will sometimes snap one in half during the day if I am feeling anxious/up tight and don't get overly tired (unless I am tired to begin with). You also get used to taking it like many psycotropic drugs. I stopped taking Wellbutrin because it increased anxiety/panic. I went on a higher dose of Zoloft instead. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Drowsiness, dizziness, increased saliva production, or change in sex drive/ability may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations, thoughts of suicide), slurred speech or difficulty talking, loss of coordination, trouble walking, memory problems.
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Answer 6

Well you need to have the pharmacist call the dumb doctor and tell him to prescribe you Alprazolam (Xanax) 0.25 instead of 0.5 with sig: take 1/2 to one tablet as needed daily. Your body will eventually adjust to medicine and you will be able to take a larger dose. Alprazolam goes up to 2mg! Can you believe that??

Answer 7

Switch doctors. It really is irresponsible for him to give you a medication to cover the adverse effects of another. If Wellbutrin affects you in this way, you need a different antidepressant.Remember, doctors are just practicing medicine.Like shopping malls, shop around. I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 8

It depends on how much you use it... if used every day you may build up some small tolerence; but if you use it just for those critical anxiety attacks, as it is supposed to be used, it could help greatly to reduce the anxiety; but yes, you may feel sleepy and slugggish at the time, yet it is still better than panic I would think...

Answer 9

Yes your body will adjust in time, I think. I am prescribed the same dosage.It does not affect me that way when I am in full blown anxiety. It is an excellent sleep aid. I wake up refreshed and awake after I take it at night. Be careful because it i is a habit forming drug.Good luck to you!

Answer 10

As your body gets used to it, the severity of those effects could get less and less. I would maybe try taking a half of one at a time until you know how you react to it.