Drug Ratings for XANAXAverage Rating: 3.9 (900 Ratings)
Compare XANAX with similar:
|
Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
Charts & graphs: Reviews Summary for XANAX | Top 10 Adverse Effects (reported to FDA)
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR XANAX | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | Anxiety/Panic Attacks | Drowsiness | Love it, LOve it, LOVe it, LOVE it, LOVE It. LOVE IT. | F | 45 | 3 years 1X AN | 6/29/2010 | 5 | Panic attacks, anxiety disorder, | Can make you a feel a bit "woozy" at first, depending if the dose is too high or how high your anxiety is at the time. Other than that, I don't ever experience bad effects from Xanax. | This has been the only drug that really helps me when I need it-- I have tried probably 20 drugs in the past 2 years for anxiety, depression, panic, and mood swings. I do not take it every day. I only take it as needed if I'm having a panic attack or severe anxiety. A lot of people abuse it and take it every day--- it's not a bad drug, you just have to be educated and not abuse it. It should never be a long term, every day, drug. Do your research before just taking this medicine every day. | F | 22 | 2 years .5mg 1X AN | 6/27/2010 | 1 | Anxiety due to hyperthyroidism | Felt like I was drunk, feelings of detachment from reality. When I tried to stop taking it the side effects were horrible: shaking, much worse anxiety, insomnia, strange feelings in my brain. The feeling that something was moving around in my brain lasted up to three weeks after I took the last pill. | DO NOT START TAKING XANAX!!! I was put on the Xanax extended release twice a day for anxiety due to an anxiety attack that I had from an allergic reaction to Advil. After a few days of taking it, I didn't like the way I felt. I tried to go off gradually by going from .5 to .25 twice a day. My brain would not let me reduce the dosage without SEVERE side effects. It took me FIVE weeks to ween off a drug that I was only on for five days. I finally went to ER in week three I was so desperate. The doctor there gave me Vistaril to counter the withdrawals. I finally was able to stop using it. I continued to take the Vistaril which is not addictive for another two weeks in case I had any residual effects from the Xanax. I wish I had never started that awful drug and no matter what anyone says, it's awful to go off of once you take it on a regular basis...even only five days. By the way...the doctor in ER told me that if you have a car accident while on Xanax, it's the same as drunk driving. If someone dies, you go to jail. | F | 49 | 5 days .5 2X D | 6/23/2010 | 4 | anxiety, heart palpatations, sleep | Last night was my first day. I hadn't slept much in 4 days and was having heart palpitations from anxiety. My husband had to drive me to work today and I feel like I'm not sure footed and have a bit of nausea. I took 2mg last night. Did I take too much for the first dose? Will it wear off? I'm supposed to take 1-2 mg for 2 days and then only when needed for sleep. It was supposed to last 4-6 hours. It's been 11 hours. Is this right? | Never took it before. I usually take sonata but it wasn't working this time. Too much anxiety this time. | F | 53 | 1 times 2 mg 1X D | 6/11/2010 | 3 | sleep onset | drowsiness, relaxation, need to eat | Wow. What can I say about Xanax. It is a bittersweet solution to my anxiety at night and problems sleeping. I am a survivor of incest and other forms of sexual abuse and I suspect that the problems with sleeping is related to the abuse. As I have gotten older and more spiritual ironically it is more difficult for me to be relaxed at night and fall asleep. I have more psychic experiences that scare the crap out of me AND I do energy/healing work. Go figure. I take Xanax and it has worked so well for me and I am clearly addicted. When I ran out of it and couldn't see a doctor I had a very bad withdrawal that freaked me out. I KNOW this is not the answer and in time I will be off it. I also am a recovering alcoholic so the awareness of addiction makes it more challenging for me to take this medication with a peace of mind.I should add when I get migraines it helps me so much to take 1.0 and my migraine medication. I wake up in an hour or so with no migraine. | F | 43 | 6 years 1.0-1.5 1X D | 6/7/2010 | 3 | insomnia | still wake up in middle of night, can fall back to sleep easier, am dreaming more vividly | dr keeps trying to suggest other sleep aids prescription and OTC, they don't work for me. | F | 53 | 2 years 0.5 mg 1X D | 6/5/2010 | 4 | anxiety GAD insomnia | You don't Have side effects *unless* you reduce dosage or stop. As long as you take it you'll like it. Try to stop and you'll hate it.The Slightest reduction in dose and you'll be nervous. | Began 23 yrs ago for insomnia.Thought they were a Godsend. Last few months reduced to 1/4 mg per day.Result? 24hr a day ear ringing.Depression,nervousness upon awakening.Hate to wake up.Better have a huge case of these cause if u run out you'll find out what addiction means.Satanic drug!Social drinking does NOT do this to you.Ask doc if he prescribes BEFORE changing docs.If he does not, you could have a convulsion. Its possible I would not have continued with GAD had I not been taking this. I could be fine now; not depressed and anxious w/ear ringing.Want to sleep? Try 3mg of Melatonin an hr before bed. | F | 66 | 23 years .5 MG 1X D | 6/3/2010 | 1 | depression and sleep disorders | When I tried to stop taking this medication, I had a seizure and ended up in the hospital. Upon recovering from the seizure I discovered I had suffered some type of memory loss, I could not remember any new information that was told to me. | It has been five years since I've taken any Xanax, and my recovery from the seizure is not complete. I still suffer short term memory loss and confusions. Do NOT take this medication. There are plenty of other safe drugs on the market to use for sleep or relaxation. | F | 36 | 2 years 2 mg 4X D | 6/2/2010 | 1 | Anxiety | Felt disconnected from the world, it actually made my anxiety worse if you can believe that. For 1-2 hours after taking it, I just felt nothing, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling, then 3-4 hours after it I felt like I was going to panic. This drug has the potential to make anxiety worse. | I may be a rare breed, but Xanax made my anxiety worse overall. | M | 27 | 2 days .5 2X D | 5/29/2010 | 3 | Anxiety | No side effects - possibly some Nausea but I am not convinced that it was the Xanax causing it as my diet becomes very erratic when I am in a major anxiety phase. | Made me a little drowsy after the first dose but I had previously taken Clonazepam at 1.5mg per day and I mistakenly thought that I could wean off the Clonazepam by switching to Xanax at a lower dose but I now realise that is not the case as they are like for like in potency. Xanax is way to short acting for me and I was in danger of popping 0.5mg every 4 hours just to try and keep myself steady. I have switched back to the clonazepam as I really need the longer lasting effect plus clonazepam just seems to work a little better than the Xanax for me. I am not ruling out trying Xanax again in the future but I think that the prescribed dosage is too low for a Benzo addict like me (been taking Clonazepam for nearly 4 years and have 'upped' the dosage from time to time). | F | 44 | 3 days 0.5mg 2X D | 5/24/2010 | 5 | anxiety | none | Great for dealing with overwhelming children, overdemanding bosses, and nagging spouses. My dosage is creeping up, though. Take it on an empty stomach for the greatest benefit. | M | 27 | 6 months 1 mg 1X D | 5/23/2010 | 4 | Panic attacks, agoraphobia, anxiety | At the low doses (i started on 0.25mg x 2 a day) I take i get no side effects from this other than mental and physical reliance on it-i.e. -addiction. | Ok i'm addicted to xanax, i have bad ssri -induced anxiety, i am addicted but i don't seek out extra pills, i make do with 3 x 0.5 daily.I did at one time, bought online, and had a v hard time weaning down, so i don't reccommend it. I hope to do the ashton benzo taper within the year. | F | 39 | 9 years 0.5 3X D | 5/20/2010 | 2 | Bad panic attacks | none | I read all about how addictive this is and that it's a controlled substance, but I don't know why since it had no effect whatsoever on me, not calming, not agitating, not euphoric, not nothing. Maybe I need to up the dose but it's supposed to be so addictive I don't really want to try that. I would take one when I was freaking out and I know it takes a little time to work but squat all happened other than after a while I eventually quit freaking out and just went from panicky to merely anxious, untill the next panic attack. | M | 49 | 4 weeks .25 mg 1X AN | 5/12/2010 | 5 | Anxiety and Panic Attacks | Nothing unsual | This medication works VERY WELL for me. I've been taking it for about 6 years now and every time I have anxiety, I take it and the anxiety disappears within 5-15 minutes, depending on the situation. I used to always get panic attacks because I can't deal with repetitive sound (pen clicking, tapping, repetitive noise, repetitive sneezing - i know, weird). I also take it when conflict arises because I get REALLY freaked out and start shaking. It does wear off after awhile but then I find that I don't need it again. I have taken 2 at a time at rare instances but when this happens I have to lay down because I become useless and dysfunctional. I don't find Xanax addictive. I'm very happy with Xanax and recommend it for anyone with occasional(?) anxiety like myself. | F | 35 | 6 years .5 mg 1X AN | 5/5/2010 | 1 | I had a lot of crap going on in my life a few years ago and my wife was taking xanax, 2mg so I asked my Doc for some. It got to the point that I would take 3 or 4 a day. I had to go cold turkey. The withdraws were bad. Nine days of no sleep, started hallucinations. Had to be hospitalized. | now I occasionally take a klonipin when I get the shakes but this is maybe once a month. (When I get real anxious my hands start to shake) | M | 59 | 3 years 2X D | 5/4/2010 | 5 | sleeping | grogginess if no enough sleep | M | 29 | 2 years 2MG 1X W | 5/2/2010 | 5 | PTSD related Extreme Anxiety/Panic | Calm, relaxed, productive attitude. | I spent the last 2 years dealing with anxiety and panic and for the first year did well with xanax legally/illegally. The 2nd year I put up with a state assigned doctor with a GOD complex that refused to prescibe Benzodiazipines. I've been on everything but Xanax for a year and everthing given to me made me worse. Antidepressants induced panic in me, and antipshychotics made me gain 100 pound in 8 months and gave me High Blood pressure and cholesterol which I'll probably be on beta blockers and statins the rest of my life to control. All because some self righteous doctor was against Benzos. Xanax is a miracle drug and doses less than 2mg a day will be metabolized by your liver and out of your system before they become a problem. Sure there's a risk of addiction, but tobacco and alcohol are addictive too, and I'd much rather take a benzodiazipine the rest of my life than a beta blocker or a statin drug. | M | 35 | 4 months .5mg 3X D | 4/25/2010 | 5 | felt bad | stagger a bit sometimes | F | 90 | 120 days .25 1X D | 4/17/2010 | 5 | - | I totally recommend Xanax from WWW.MEDSHEAVEN.COM xanax helps me with my anxiety problems and best medication to help me fall asleep, medsheaven.com is having a sale currently. | I totally recommend Xanax from WWW.MEDSHEAVEN.COM xanax helps me with my anxiety problems and best medication to help me fall asleep, medsheaven.com is having a sale currently. | M | 31 | 1 days - 4X H | 4/14/2010 | 5 | severe anxiety | short term memory loss | It is makes my everyday life so much easier to manage | F | 28 | 4 months 1 mg 4X D | 4/11/2010 | 5 | Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia | Dry mouth, lower sex drive, kinda need to stay active or you will get tired. After 5 years of taking, I can sit and watch a movie and not get tired, but before had to stay busy. | I'm shocked at the low doses people take on here and get benefit that's amazing. Your tolerance grows just after 2 weeks taking it. Makes time go by fast. That is very beneficial at work or occasions you don't like being at. Oh and it makes generally not give a damn. You just want to chill and listen to some Doors music. | M | 30 | 5 years 1MG 4X D | 4/10/2010 | 5 | Adjustment to SSRI, panic, anxiety | Sometimes, a little sleepy. | Works superbly for me. I take very judiciously, only when I feel it is absolutely necessary. I skip days. I hope the SSRI works so I don't need it though. Highest recommendation for panic sufferers, if used responsibly. It can be a good friend, and also your worst enemy (from what I have read here, elsewhere, and everywhere). It has allowed me to function a lot better just knowing I have something with which to combat the panic, giving *me* some control back. I know it is just treating the "symptom", but for now it's what I need to get to the "cause". | M | 33 | 6 weeks .25 mg PRN 1X D | 4/9/2010 | 5 | for panic and anxiety | No side effects,unless I don't take them.When I don't take my doses I feel like I am in a fog and shaky,inside. | I would love to come off of them,but I am afraid of going back to feeling anxious,all the time.Maybe one day.For now I will continue taking my xanax. | F | 50 | 20 years 0.25 2X D | 4/6/2010 | 5 | anxiety | Sleepy, calm, unmotivated, detached. I take this medication very rarely but find it very helpful when I do take it. | I take only as needed but I carry it with me most of the time. Usually, just knowing that I have it calms me down and I don't have to take it. I only actually take Xanax a couple of times a year. I suggest only taking Xanax on an as needed basis. Taking it every day doesn't seem like a good idea because of its additive nature. | F | 33 | 3 years .5 1X AN | 4/6/2010 | 5 | CPTSD, Depression, BPD | None, calmness, peace within my brain | Okay people, stop the whining. I have been taking Xanax for 15 years. I think of it as my insulin. If I do not take it I can not function. Am I "addicted", does a diabetic become addicted to insulin? All our brains are different, my hard drive in my brain is not working properly, Xanax is my brain medicine. I do not abuse it, I respect it. If you are worried about becoming "addicted" then don't take it, but if you want a life take it. For me, Xanax is an answer to many prayers. For the record, I have tried EVERYTHING, including Klonipin (which causes depression), Ativan (I hated the way it acted on my brain), all SSNRI's, Ambien (bad drug), Valium (my psych says it is the WORST OUT THERE), SO YOU be the judge of your ownn brain take responsibility for what you put in your body, Xanax has a "life" of approximately 4-5 hours in your system. It is the safest drug out there for anxiety. Don't listen to these people who say it is the drug from hell, etc. It works, it calms and yes it is addictive but you be the judge, treat your brain just as you do any other organ in your body. God bless. | F | 56 | 15 years 1.0 4X D | 4/3/2010 | 5 | Panic Disorder, Anxiety, Insomnia | If used responsibly as I have done, little or no side effects. | To the previous female poster who was surprised to awake in the morning on her 5th day of Xanax use and experience anxiety; in my 16 yrs. of Xanax use I have never taken more then .5 mg. in any given day. My use has been .25 mg. taken at bedtime. When I wake up the sleepiness is gone but the positive effect is still felt throughout the day. Look through all the posts and you will see most of the people having problems are taking way too much. Xanax is a very powerful drug and needs to be respected. That means taking the lowest possible dose for a positive effect. Instead of taking .5 mg. twice a day, try .125 mg. twice a day. Also, try to take drug holidays; go off of them for a couple of days so your body doesn't get too used to them. I do it all the time without any problems. | M | 57 | 16 years .25 mg. 1X D | 3/30/2010 | 4 | Anxiety | Sleepiness. | I only take this drug if absolutely necessary. I know its extremely easy to get addicted and abuse it. I only use this drug if I feel extreme anxiety and can't sleep. It really helps you sleep and the next day you feel so much better. I started this drug due to a death in the family that was devastating to me. They last me forever because I only take a half of one or a whole in extreme circumstances. I only recommend this drug if you can control yourself and take it occasionally when needed. If you take it regularly, you will get addicted. Rated 4 for addictive quality. Otherwise its awesome! Don't recommend driving or doing any intense on it. | F | 43 | 8 years .25 mgs 1X AN | 3/29/2010 | 5 | Anxiety and to sleep | Slight drowsiness | As long as not abused (taken with alcohol or in dosages too high) this is a wonder drug | M | 56 | 5 years 15 1X D | 3/20/2010 | 3 | anxiety | feeling of floating, haziness, fatigue (substituted as a sleeping pill for a duration), mental numbness, social disconnection, ejaculatory problems, reduced sexual desire, agitation. | Addictive. If you think otherwise, you're the minority of takers whose body allows it not to be. The withdrawal is tough, the dependency becomes overwhelming. What starts as a beneficial relief becomes a masking of human emotions. The lyric, "now I'm feelin' zombiefied" sums up my experience. | M | 28 | 1.5 years .5 2X D | 3/20/2010 | 5 | Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Social Anx | I was very, very hesitant to take this medication due to all that I have researched and read on the subject. However SO many people take it, I thought I would give it a try to help me. First day I felt completely relaxed, calm, and had an over all good and happy feeling like I wanted to take this forever. Felt the same the next day and so on. I am on my 5th day today and have to say that I woke up feeling a sense of anxiousness and nervouseness as if I was already going through some sort of NEED for the drug. THIS scared me as I do not want to become dependant on it. I like the way that I feel when on it and don't want to stop, but I know that if I don't my tolerance will increase and I will have to take higher doses, and most likely have to stop some time weather it be due to "Cant Afford" it any more or who knows what. I would like any advice from anyone. Should I quit this drug now while it has only been 5 days? Also, if so, what would be the best way to do it. I | F | 32 | 5 days .5 2X D | 3/17/2010 | 4 | anxiety | I havent had any side effects. I like it | I think Im addicted to it. Forgot to take for a few days and got sooo sick like the worst flu ever. Started again and it all went away. | F | 37 | 5 months 2X D | 3/13/2010 | 4 | anxiety | none | very good drug which can be abused very easily. i take it as my doctor perscribes it. i have a stressful life so i need it. i know it's not meant for long term use originally but it turned out that way and in no way have i abused it. the reason i give it a four and not a five is because it's not a miracle drug but an effective one. | M | 25 | 5 years 2mg 3X D | 3/7/2010 | 5 | Stress at work | Brief period of light drowsiness, then alert again. | I wish this drug had been around when I was younger or it had been prescribed sooner. It's changed the way I approach work and social situations. I used to get so wound up that I really didn't function or communicate as well as I do when I take just 1/4 of a .5 mg pill. It's absolutely astounding the effect it has had on me. Might have saved me the triple bypass I had 3 years ago. I don't care about Big Pharma if they can deliver a near miracle like this, I'm lucky that this works so well for me and wish the effect was universal. | M | 57 | 9 months .125mg 2X D | 3/6/2010 | 5 | panic attacks,generalized anxiety | it can lead to sleepiness insomuch as it relaxes and calms, but it has never actually put me to sleep or rendered me unable to function | LOVE it. It is the only thing that actually helps and keeps me functioning. I know alot of people, especially doctors, would like to see it taken off the market, and won't prescribe it because it is addictive, but for me, it has been my lifesaver. I've been off it 3 times, always to cope for awhile then fall apart and come back to it. Nothing else tossed at me has ever helped,and yeah,unless you slowly taper off,it has withdrawal symptoms, but it was a cakewalk compared to one of the extended release anti depressants I had to quit cold turkey. Good drug with a bad rep. | F | 37 | 16 years 1mg 3X D | 2/27/2010 | 5 | anxiety | It can make you sleepy, that's about all. I have taken it for three years along with Cymbalta, and now I hardly ever need to take it. It is not addicting at all. Keep in mind that when the symptoms receed, the need to take it receeds too. Wonderful and inexpensive, too. | This is a wonder drug! It is NOT any more addicting than spaghetti and meatballs is addicting. I feel sorry for people in earlier times that had anxiety issues. I guess the only place to turn was alchohol. | M | 53 | 3 years 25 2X D | 2/25/2010 History | 5 | anxiety and panic attacks | minimal, daytime grogginess at times, but not sure if it is from the xanax or the insomnia i also suffer from. | was hospitalized with a breakdown in 1967 at 19, and put on valium, imipramine and nardil, gradually got better and weaned myself off valium and everything else after 7 years. then back to the shrink and put back on xanax which i was told was not addicting! i have been on it since. initial dose was 1 mgm, 4x a day. over the years i gradually reduced dosage on my own and tried to get off this, but it is impossible, so i continue to take it at low doses. it has helped tremendously and i am sure i would be dead without it. it prevented many panic attacks and helps greatly with my anxiety. i am supposed to also be taking paxil, but it is an awful drug and refuse to take it. the shrink has tried me on all the ssri's, but they are like poison to me and make me feel like a zombie, so i wont take them. anyway, i am worried about the addiction (?) and the long term physical effects of xanax. can it kill you eventually? I think it is alot less harmful than alcohol. i dont drink. i am only taking 0.25 mgms and sometimes only take half doses. otherwise i see no problem taking it for the rest of my life. i have only upped the dose in crises, such as family deaths, divorce etc., so i dont abuse it. | M | 62 | 25 years 0.25 3X D | 2/24/2010 | 5 | Anxiety and Panic Attacks | quick calming effect usually withing 15-30 minutes. Sometimes causes drowsiness. | This medication gives me great relief. I always have it with me. Whenever I feel my anxiety intensifying or a panic attack coming on I take 1-2 of these. It calms me down, stops my heart from racing and prevents a panic attack. Which, if you have ever experienced a panic attack you know that this is priceless. | F | 26 | 2 years 1 MG 1X AN | 2/23/2010 | 4 | anxiety chest pains | Sluggishness fatigue | Scary drug. Started taking this med when I suddenly started getting chest pains which my p doc called panic attacks. Started on 3mg dose and eventually escalated to 6 mg. Withdrawal is like hell on earth. Don't start if u don't truly need it. I know I wouldn't have... | M | 25 | 4 years 3 mg 1X D | 2/23/2010 | 2 | Persistant General Anxiety Disorde | Yes, this drug will calm you down. It will help you sleep. It makes you feel better quickly. Then you become addicted and weaning off Xanax is horrible. The physical reaction to getting off Xanax is worse than the original symptoms. The rapid heartbeat, shakiness, stomach/intestinal upset, restless sleep and so on were worse when trying to get off this med. Too bad because initially, it really works. | M | 57 | 10 months 1.0 ng 1X D | 2/23/2010 | 5 | panic attacks/anxiety | maybe slight tiredness ...barely noticeable ...cup of coffee? | I take what I need ...sometimes as much as 3 or 4mg a day ...other days 1 or less. The best thing is ...NO PANIC ATTACKS!! ...and it works fast. Had this problem since forever ...but just recently figured out what it was. It's not something that you can easily open up w/. You just hide it the best you can. Script has stayed the same for quite awhile now. Always have some w/ me. If I'm addicted ...so be it ...I figure I'll need to be taking it for life. | M | 59 | 3 years 1 2X D | 2/11/2010 | 1 | Anxiety/Panic | W/D=HELL | I AM SORRY BUT THESE PPL COMMENTING TAKING THIS DRUG 20 YEARS AND SO ON WITHOUT INCREASING IT IS WITH BIG PHARMA!!!! You want to lose your life, take the Benzos! | M | 30 | 2 years 1X D | 2/10/2010 | 5 | NO | F | 33 | 99 days 2.5MG 1X D | 2/6/2010 | 1 | Anxiety | My symptoms that I took it for are mutiplied by 100. | I take only .5 when I feel like I am going to have a panic attack. That's only 3 times a month. By the next day, I wish I had just road out the original panick attack because I not only feel anxiety, but I SCREAM AT EVRYONE THAT IS WILLING TO LISTEN. I hate this drug. Thank God I never started taking the dose my doctor recommended. Please don't take this and drink, I also have a friend that contracted MAJOR DISEASE in college from taking xanax and losing judgement. worse part is, SHE NEVER REMEMBERED HAVING SEX, so she couldn't even figure out who gave it to her. This is why I never have taken even the low recommended dose. | F | 26 | 5 years | 2/3/2010 | 4 | anxiety bronchial spasms | too high of a dose causes terrible driving concentration. had to cut the dose in half. | I thought I had something terribly wrong with me. spent thousands of dollars in doctor and tests, felt like my throat was closing off all the time. I didn't want to believe, Ms. Self Control ME, was having anxiety even though, I live a very stressed life. I HATE pills. Plus, I was begining to swear and yell at people, That's NOT me! the Doctor put me on a low dose .25 when needed. after one pill, I nearly had a car accident, was too drifty, did not concentrate. Halved my pill, and take at least 2 hours before driving,in the AM. between that and my inhaler, I can get thru the day and esp sleep well, no up and down every hour, with the other half taken at bedtime! I used think I was gonna have to run to ER 3x's a week. I thought I was dying. Everything cleared up, in hours. I am amazed. NOT impressed I have to be on Drugs, but you know, we are only human, and our bodies can only take so much stress in life, before it shows up in physical and emotional ways. I usually have lots of side effects and discontinue meds right away. Years ago, I tried Welbutrin, Effexor, and Zoloft and had awful side effects, returned them after a week. So far, I am impressed, I am sure a higher dose would be trouble. My Dad is on Paxill and he is a Mess. my Mom was Prosac and she was Hideous. I think this Pill is a life saver, and just like any Drug will have to be gradually weaned off. | F | 51 | 7 days | 1/25/2010 | 5 | aniexty | It helps | It is not the only tranquilizer I take, but adding a small amount to my treatment, has helped me alot, with concentrating, interacting with people,still need need much improvement,but with stress and aniexty lifted, at least I can look back, and see where some things in my life could have worked out differently,and hopefully I'll make better decisions in the future, when you panic, and can't remember things you learned for a job, other info, and you should be able to,it is very frustrating, I'm glad I found out about this drug. | F | 52 | 1 years | 1/24/2010 | 2 | anxiety | All the side effect were wonderful, it was the withdrawal that was hell. | If you do research you'll find that Xanax is the most widely abused pharmaceuticals in the world, and for good reason. It's impossible to have a panic attack while on it. But I've found from taking normal doses myself, and observing other people who were also not abusing it, that it should simply be a short term drug. You really have to have a diagnosis of panic disorder to be on it. How many of the people on it do you think really have panic disorder? I'm not saying it doesn't exist, I used to have it. I'm just saying it is hyped up, which has made this drug very, very popular and unfortunately many people taking it for normal use have absolutely no idea how addicting it really is. When I discontinued use, I had to be hospitalized. Suddenly, in an office meeting I felt like I was driving down a steep mountain with no breaks. Felt like crawling out of my skin, while all my coworkers looked at me like they thought I was about to go postal. From the research I read, a tolerance to a normal dose can develop in as little as a week. If you're thinking about getting on this medication, do yourself a favor and don't take it very long. If you're getting on it just for kicks, you won't listen to anything I'm saying anyway. That being said, I think it is a wonderful medication for short term use. You sleep like an angel and you don't worry about a thing. There's really nothing that beats it. Caveat, be careful. | M | 34 | 6 months | 1/23/2010 | 5 | anxiety | relaxed, calm | F | 21 | 3 years | 1/22/2010 | 5 | Chronic anxious depression | Abrupt discontinuance is holy hell- Sometimes the physician's prescribing X. to me, get anxious, and tries to instead, ply me with the brutally toxic ssri's, and their ilk. Why? I am sure this is at the behest of big pharma representatives, pushing the latest ssri drugs. | I would become a total agoraphobic basket case without it- Before there was Xanax, I was on Valium for years, with unsatisfactory results. _All_ of the ssri class of substances are *highly toxic* to me. They induce paranoid psychosis, extreme disphoria, among a long laundry list of serious life threatening ailments. Every so often, My Dr. expresses concern, that X. is going harm me (after 20 years on the stuff,) and directs me to some sinfully expensive psychiatrist for validation. So for a little more then a week, I voluntarily stopped taking X.- The results are devastating- I stopped being able to sleep at all for a week or more- I have been sleepless for over 10 days in a row in the past- And what did the expensive psychiatrist have to say about that? "I dont believe you"(!) And then he tries to bully me into taking (gasp!) Trazodone! Besides total insomnia, I become extremely fearful, and full of muscle cramps and spasms, boarding on full blown convulsive seizures. My body stopped digesting food, to the extent I couldn't even hold water down- My blood pressure soared to 180 over 110 w. a 110bpm pounding pulse rate- hallucinations, neuralgia, migraines, soaking sweats, tremors, and my feet stank ferociously. Sharp dental pain, where I haven't had teeth for years. Screeching tinnitus, feelings of having thorns behind my eyes, sever chills, vomiting, urinary retention, involuntary anorexia, back spasms, and leg spasms so pronounced, to almost completely prev | M | 62 | 20 years | 1/17/2010 | 1 | my husband does for anxiety | When not taking Xanax on a very regular basis, the side effects are unbelievable at least from an observer of so much bizarre behavior. This is a short lived drug and apparently some people cannot take it as a PRN. My husband when home often just skips the dose for reasons I do not understand and turns from a person with a flat affect into a man that is filled with rage and anger. So far no physical abuse but tremendous psychological abuse is tossed my way. Wondered if I was a trigger but 3 shrinks have said no. He has been on that medication for over 20 years and obviously is addicted but not respectful of that fact. | His thinking can get very warped. He had blackouts and memory loss and after he finally explodes verbally, seems to need 24 hours sleep. He seems to a great extent unaware of what happens and while he has a therapist he sees once every six weeks to get an Rx, after 3 or 4 years I have never been allowed to even speak with her. I doubt sincerely if she has any idea of what is going on. My husband also adds liquor to the Xanax at times and I suspect that isn't helpful. Based on reading things here it is apparent that this drug operates differently on different people but given that, I do believe psychiatrists have an obligation to check with relatives and to do any testing that might indicate other problems. My husband is in my mind mentally ill and because I wouldn't leave him if he had a physical disease I have tried very hard to learn about this benzo and to try to find coping skills to help me. We may be close to reaching the end of the line and while I know he loves me and it would break his heart (different though it is), it is finally taking a physical toll on me that is serious. This drug has altered his personality and while he is somewhat aware of it, he won't deal with it because the obvious losses of memory and a sense of shame have him hooked to the point where he can't admit the truth. Psychiatry can be very dangerous. My husband is just really paying to get a prescription: no therapy is involved at all. It's a business. | F | 68 | 20 years | 1/17/2010 | 5 | anxiety | I get tired after taking it. | I was on the medication one other time for a year. I like this drug, because of the anxiety I have daily. I gave the drug back to the doctor the first time. I cold turkey it, it was not that bad of a reaction. However, I was 21 at the time. Now some years later, I do believe it is going to take me sometime to come off of them now... | F | 33 | 6 months | 1/3/2010 | 5 | Social anxiety | Sometimes it makes me tired. | Have been sober for 25 years and when I got into my 50's I began having anxiety when in crowds, such as weddings, Christmas parties, dinner parties,etc. I take .5mg about an hour before the event and it does the job, I feel relaxed and comfortable around people. I am very careful to take this pill only when necessary as I have heard many horror stories about how addictive it is.It can be a life saver if used with caution. | M | 56 | | 12/26/2009 | 5 | PTSD, Anxiety | light sedation, calming feeling | this medication has changed my life! I am one of those people who tries not to take any medication, but my PTSD is pretty bad and sometimes there is only so much I can control. I have taken ativan and klonopin before and both of those drugs make me hostile. Xanax makes it so I can take a deep breath and sort through my anxiety and rationalize it. I take .5 mgs when I'm out somewhere feeling anxious or flashback-y and it helps. If I'm having a panic attack I'll take the 1mg. It wasn't easy getting a prescription for this either - a lot of doctors hesitate because of the addiction factor. I have been lectured by many doctors, but fortunately, my primary care doctors understands that I need this medication, especially since I don't do well on antidepressants. | F | 21 | 1 years | 12/23/2009 | 5 | GAD and Panic Disorder | Slight sedation. | This drug has literally saved my life. It's the only thing that has eased my horrendous anxiety. I have tried SSRI's, exercise, meditation and yoga and NOTHING compares to the instant calm I feel with this. I take .5mg as needed. For someone with panic disorder and GAD, this is my "insulin." I wish doctors would listen to their patients and not be so afraid of prescribing this drug. As long as it's not abused and you have a vigilant doctor, it could possibly improve your life to the point of functioning again. I keep a couple in my purse in case of an attack. Somehow just knowing it's there eases my mind so I can function better. It's that good. | F | 32 | 5 years | 12/11/2009 | 5 | Anxiety/Unable to Sleep | Tiredness, Feeling Calmness, Relaxation. It does increase appetite so weight gain may occur. | This is a very good drug to take for inability to sleep & also for peri-menopause sysmtoms. I have tried Ambien and it is expensive and I felt as though I was having a seizure. You can get "attached" to Xanax so be careful. It is better to take this drug instead of Excedrin PM which make me restless and makes my heart race. Do not drink alcohol with this drug! | F | 48 | 10 years | 12/11/2009 | 5 | anxiety and panic attacks | Was put on drug along w/ clomipramine when hospitalized for suicidality 25 years ago. Still on both. History of OCD, anxiety worsened by marijuana, psychedelics. Drug works really well except for time delay 15-20 minutes, but now I anticipate better and avoid this problem. Even greatly helped me write exams years ago on moderate dose; relaxation resulting in better recall. Coffee and xanax do not cancel out – I get the best of both, relaxed and alert. But hungover if too much the day before, sometimes with flu-like aches. Helps immeasurably with stressful social situations. | Smoked pot again about 10 years ago just a couple of times and xanax didn't work anymore. Put on antipsychotics. After several months gave them up and am fine on xanax. Was concerned about addiction. Told 4 mg daily is threshold for that, but alcohol use seriously lowers threshold. Originally I'd been on 2 mg daily plus horrible halcion in the same family (see my halcion entry 3/10/2009). Now on 3 mg daily, usually in 2 installments. Drug is wasted on a full stomach! One shrink said I might as well throw it in toilet if I've eaten first. However, once I take it, with LOTS of fluid, I wait 10 minutes and then eat; otherwise hunger keeps me anxious because of low blood sugar (part of problem with pot). Once was off antidepressants 5 weeks: my sexuality went from nil to like a teenager; kept taking xanax which had no negative effects in this dept. BEWARE withdrawal if quitting or cutting down. Cold turkey from xanax or any benzodiazepine can literally kill you from stroke; even fast cutting down can easily lead to seizure. Anyway, couldn't live without this drug, which, like all benzos, is based on brain's own GABA antianxiety chemistry; but I've read (non-medical) just buying GABA may not work because of something to do with blood/brain barrier. I don't understand this so do your own research. | M | 63 | 25 years | 12/8/2009 | 5 | paranoia | fatigue | i only get anxiety/paranoia at bedtime. when i take it i fall right asleep, FAST. i love it =) saved my life. | F | 24 | 2 years | 12/8/2009 | 2 | akasthisia | None. I do not think this drug works in the sense that I cannot feel it. My akasthisia is better (caused by Abilify)but I would rather take Valium. Valium calms me while Xanax does not do anything at all. | I cannot "feel" anything from Xanax. It is as though I am taking a placebo. Nothing at all happens when I take one. | F | 59 | 6 months | 12/3/2009 | 4 | anxiety and insomnia | just the desired effects...calming and sleepiness | my doctor only prescribed .50mg which barely has an effect on me so usually have to double for triple. | M | 37 | 1 months | 11/23/2009 | 1 | anxiety | Drowsiness, clumsy, food cravings, more anxiety, slight urinary retention, stomach pain, bloating. | I rated this dissatisfied because although it took away my anxiety at first. After only about a week on it, if I didn't take the next dose I felt the withdrawal symptoms. I experienced worse anxiety between doses and eventually stomach pains/bloating. It's highly addictive. I've used this drug in the past just to help me with my fear of flying. One dose and that was it. But a longer duration just didn't work for me. Be very careful not to rely on this unless there are no other avenues to turn to. I stopped it completely 3 days ago and I'm starting to feel like myself again with much less stomach distress. | F | 46 | 30 days | 11/13/2009 | 5 | Anxiety | Slight sedation... be careful about addiction and tolerance as xanax is short acting meaning that you can feel it wearing off and feel the anxiety come back and need to take more | If used responsibly is an absolute godsend! Because of its short half life and fast onset its perfect for situational anxiety. It's such a shame that this medication has such a bad reputation (caused by doctors not eduating people about it's addictive nature and some people abusing them... I have to order mine from the internet - but I use it very responibly.) | F | 24 | 1 days | 11/12/2009 |