Should I take my Xanax everyday?

Question

I just started .25mg xanax "as needed" for "stomach troubles" when I have to leave the house. I only take it when I have to go somewhere. I never take medication except the occasional Excedrin for headaches, and I was wondering should I take the xanax at least 1x a day to get it in my system or just when I have to go somewhere?
*I know it can be habit forming, I have friends and family that have been/are addicted.

LOL, I have anxiety that make me "go" and my stomach hurts SO bad when I have to leave the house...and they are the really low dose white ones... :-)

Answer 1

Only take the Xanax as needed for whatever problems you have. Xanax begins to work in about 20 minutes, you do not need to "build it up" in your body like other meds.
Also, don't take Excedrin, try something else, Excedrin has caffeine in it and can cause anxiety and also gave me bad stomach problems when I took it.

It's good that you are aware that Xanax can be habit forming and good that you are taking the precautions to avoid becoming addicted.

Answer 2

Xanax isn't one of those meds that you must take for a couple weeks before it reaches therapeutic levels in order for it to be effective. Xanax is for short term use. Therefore, you shouldn't take it unless you need it. I don't really understand the 'stomach troubles' diagnosis, unless you mean your anxiety causes you to feel like you have stomach problems.
If you are actually experiencing agoraphobia, there are medications that are more appropriate, and that can be taken on a regular basis to keep your anxiety at a controllable level.

Ae you sure you're referring to Xanax?

Answer 3

If I assume that your "stomach troubles" are anxiety or panic related, you only need to take it whenever you expect "trouble". Xanax has a very short half-life (the amount of time it takes to metabolize it), so it doesn't build up in your body. It is very addictive, so be careful not to start abusing it. It would be good to talk to your doctor about it. When I started needing it more often, my doctor ssloooowly switched me to klonopin which is in the same family of drugs, but lasts longer and does build up in your body.

If you are actually asking about Zantac, I don't understand what it has to do with you leaving the house.

Answer 4

I have been on xanax and while it can be habit forming, if you take it the way your doctor has instructed you to, you will not become addticted, especially if it is only as needed. If your perscription is specifically for your stomach problems as they are caused by leaving the house, I would suggest you do exactly as it say, take only as needed- when you leave the house. It will get in your system and your body will get used to it this way just as well if you take it everyday. If you want to take it everyday, you may want to leave the house everyday, that may also help in your anxiety of leaving the house. (that is what I assume it is) I hope this helps and that you start feeling better!

Answer 5

Zanax is a great drug and truly serves its purpose,and yes its habit forming,or can be habit forming,because its good.....and it makes you feel good,but I would only take it when you need it it doesn't need to be built up in your system,and if you do take it every day you will build up a tolerance so fast that 1 turns into 3 and 3 turns into 5 and pretty soon,your consumed with thought about the pretty packaged prescription that you can.t wait to pick up...Not good..I at one point was taking 10 vicodin and 5 zanax a day just to be pleasant,because I felt I couldn't face the world or my day without it and with that much in my system it was a little difficult to kick.I have a great respect for medication now and realize it doesn;t work as well if you take it all the time.so you will have better results just taking it as needed,don.t take one everyday unless your having anxiety,because what goes up must come down and you don't want to be addicted to prescription medication. I ended ;up at the methadone clinic opiates are a derivitive of heroin.Opiates are lumped into one with prescription meds -vicodin,zanax,valium ,clonopin,etc.addiction to these meds is rapid and to my suprise a very difficult addiction to get off of,it really messes with you physcologically too.(If i had my pills i was happy and i liked you)If I didn't I was freaking out and literally felt like I was coming out of my skin...very sad.

Answer 6

Xanax is not for stomach troubles at all. It is a serious drug and in my personal opinion and experience does not NEED to be taken by any single person on this planet.

You don't have to take it everyday, it's not a "needs to build up in your system" kind of drug.

Seriously, go and see a naturopath and a counsellor to assess your body system function and whether you are too low or high in certain nutrients and deal with emotional issues. Xanax is an easy way out for doctors who can't deal with patients as human beings.

Answer 7

if you have stomach problems only when you leave the house then i think you should take xanax only when you leave the house, not everyday. xanax from what i know is used for the prevention of anxiety,panic attacks,social phobias,and emotional problems. if it helps your stomach from giving you problems i think it is worth taking,but only as needed

Answer 8

Xanax is not for stomach troubles it is a tranquilizer, I think you are speaking of Zantac and yes you should take that every day

Answer 9

Talk with your doctor silly. Didn't he tell you how much to take?

And not everyone gets hooked on Xanax. Don't go by what others say.

Answer 10

if you are questioning the doctor's order for your Xanax, contact his office.