Alprazolam Tablets

What is Xanax for?

Alprazolam (Xanax®) has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help manage the following conditions:

• Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder.
• Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

Providers sometimes prescribe Xanax for other conditions. This is considered an off-label, or non-FDA-approved, use of the medication. Off-label uses of Xanax include:

• Certain symptoms of depression.
• Insomnia.
• Premenstrual syndrome.

How long does Xanax stay in your system?

The half-life of alprazolam (Xanax) is about 11 hours in adults. This means that it takes about 11 hours for the active ingredient in the medication to reduce by half in your body. In other words, if you were to take a single dose of alprazolam, the medication would likely be completely out of your system 22 hours after you take it.

Is Xanax addictive?

Yes, alprazolam (Xanax) and other benzodiazepines have addiction potential. This means that they strongly activate the reward center of your brain and can produce feelings of pleasure. Not everyone who has a prescription for Xanax develops an addiction. When you carefully follow your prescription instructions for the medication, the chance of developing a substance use disorder is low. Your risk increases if you misuse the medication.

A substance use disorder can significantly impact your health, relationships and overall quality of life. It can also be life-threatening. If you feel like you’re becoming dependent on Xanax or are taking it more than what your healthcare provider has prescribed, seek help as soon as possible.

Can you take Xanax while pregnant?

There are certain risks and benefits associated with taking benzodiazepines, including Xanax, while pregnant. Because of this, you should talk to your healthcare provider about it. They make recommendations on a case-by-case basis because each person is unique. It’s ideal to have these conversations before you try to become pregnant.

An analysis of 14 studies on pregnancy and delivery outcomes after exposure to benzodiazepines showed that taking benzodiazepines while pregnant was associated with an increased risk of:

• Miscarriage (spontaneous abortion).
• Premature birth.
• Low birth weight.
• Low Apgar score.
• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.

One study on Xanax usage specifically during pregnancy showed an increased risk of:

• Miscarriage.
• Low birth weight.
• Apgar score at or below 7 one minute after birth.

It’s important to remember that the benefits of taking Xanax during pregnancy to manage an underlying mental health condition may outweigh the potential risks. Untreated or undertreated mental health conditions during pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of:

• Not taking prenatal care measures (like taking prenatal vitamins and attending prenatal appointments).
• Inadequate nutrition.
• Increased alcohol and tobacco use.

Untreated anxiety during pregnancy can also increase your risk of postpartum anxiety.

Does Xanax cause weight gain?

Xanax can sometimes cause appetite changes and weight gain as side effects. But it’s important to remember that several factors can contribute to weight gain. For example:

• Adults tend to gain weight as they age in general.
• You may develop different exercise or eating patterns that are unrelated to the medication itself.

If you’re concerned about this possible side effect, talk to your healthcare provider. Know that the benefits of taking Xanax may override possible weight gain.

Does Xanax make you sleep?

Xanax and other benzodiazepines have sedative effects, which means they can make you feel drowsy and sleepy. However, some people experience sleep problems (insomnia) as a side effect of Xanax.

Only take Xanax as prescribed. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing excessive sleepiness or difficulty sleeping.