Drug Ratings for XANAXAverage Rating: 3.9 (900 Ratings)
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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, severe panic attacks, dep | Very relaxed, don't have a worry in the world, and happy, i guess happy from being calmed down | This is the best benzo, this is the heavy hitter, i think it works the best, it helps stomach pain, sometimes my headaches, definately stop a panic attack, and relieve your stress, i think the world would be more happy and calm if everyone was on this, but people should not abuse it and ruin it for people like us who need it. I been on this since i was 16 very lightly until i was about 24 and been on it steady up to 4 mgs a day, i lowered my self to 2 mg a day and now back at 3 mg a day, i will admit it is addictive, but not to bad to lower your doseage if you wanna wean off just start taking halfs for a few weeks then just nibble on em for a few more weeks, seriously, 100% great pill if used in the right hands, my doc told me the benefit outweighs the side effects which i have none except relaxation. | M | 30 | 14 years | 10/19/2009 | 3 | Sleep | Eye twitch that wouldn't go away, I got very mean and snippy while on it and ultimately it made me horribly depressed, had to kick it. But DAMN that stuff could knock me out! | M | 30 | 7 days | 10/15/2009 | 5 | anxiety/stress/insomnia | none | I've had anxiety and insomnia for a year. I have only been taking Xanax for one week now and I am finally getting some long overdue sleep which should help the anxiety & stress. Hopefully won't have to take it for an extended perion. I feel great. | F | 54 | 1 weeks | 10/13/2009 | 5 | panic/ anxiety | None, a little tired when I first started taking it | This stops panic and anxiety attacks dead in their tracks. I took it for 4 months, 4 times a day. Not addictive in low doses. I had no withdrawel symptoms. I went off it when I started in Lexapro which worked beautifully. I was taking xanax prn and all of a sudden realized that the lex had kicked in and i hadn't taken a xanax all day! Was a great feeling! I keep it with me in case of emergency. I loved xanax. | F | 35 | 3 years | 10/8/2009 | 3 | panic disorder | sleepiness and drowsiness | Keeps panic away, but finding the right dosing is a problem. In me there is a wear off effect that begins anywhere between 11 and 16 hours after taking the Xanax XR. This is what makes finding the dosing hard. I cannot quit this med no matter how hard I try, but the doc says that is because of the strenght of my panic disorder coming through. | M | 51 | 4 years | 10/3/2009 | 5 | anxiety & panic attacks | Worked great for 7 years until my doctor was on vacation and did not refill for 5 days - I thought I was gonna die!! I was truly addicted!! | I went to another doctor that put me on Celexa 30mg. and I feel great!! I quit the Xanax completely (sure it took a few months) but I am no longer (for lack of a better word "addicted") I feel so much better knowing that I don't "have to have" a Xanax handy at all times. The PANIC & ANXIETY ATTACKS ARE COMPLETELY GONE. I dont worry anymore about having another attack at all. If you are afraid that you NEED it too much - there are easy ways to get off it. Take Care. | F | 48 | 7 years | 10/1/2009 | 4 | Panic attacks | Drowsiness, and that "I don't have a care in the world" feeling | This is very fast acting for panic attacks which is why I was prescribed it, and it works very well to help control them. I can physically function with Xanax where as with other anti-anxiety drugs would make me go to sleep. Sure I got a warm fuzzy feeling, but that's what Benzodiazipenes are supposed to do. The drawback I found was that for longer lasting episodes of anxiety, it wears off to quick, and you have to up your dosage if you're taking it regularly. | F | 25 | 6 years | 9/18/2009 | 4 | anxiety, insomnia | I have odd memory lapses. I can't remember things I've done or said weeks or months ago that relatives remember. Diarrhea if none taken for 24 hrs; diarrhea if too much taken. | Taken for 20+ yrs after divorce; now no sleep without .5mg and melatonin. Am switching to valium and will taper off xanax that wears off too fast and wakes me up. I think it causes lack of emotion or "flat affect" which reduces enjoyment of life. | F | 65 | 22 years | 9/14/2009 | 5 | migraines, anxiety | Dry mouth, occasional sleepiness and forgetful. | I have had migraines for over 10 years. I have tried several preventative medications - depakote & topamax gave me the WORST side effects ever. The tiredness, forgetfulness, scatterbrain side effects of these drugs was 10x worse than Xanax. After recent family tragedies, I was unable to sleep. I would take Tylenol PM, benadryl, excedrin PM, melatonin.. OTC meds which used to work so well on me. None worked. I ended up on Xanax to combat my anxiety after my fathers death.. and started noticing that my headache/migraine frequency/severity had been lessened - having about 50-75% decline per month. It has been amazing for me. I know there are risks of dependency,but if you're a chronic migraine sufferer -- you will know what that ANYTHING that relieves that pain is worth it... I take .5 mg's per day..sometimes less. | F | 1 years | 9/12/2009 | 5 | Anxiety & depression | None | From the day I took my first dose, my severe anxiety and fear of speaking in front of others disappeared. It helped immensely with depression which I'd had since I was 11. For years now I've been on .5 mg. 3 X daily. Never had to increase. | F | 59 | 24 years | 8/13/2009 | 4 | anxiety | Tolerance build up. | Works well for about the 1st year to stave off panic. After the year, it still calms, but not nearly as much as it used to. I am hoping my dr. will try me on something new next time I go. | F | 28 | 5 years | 8/10/2009 | 1 | Anxiety / Panic Attacks | The Xanax works wonderfully when you are on it. However, if you have been on it for longer than a few months, go ahead and try stopping it. You won't be able to because Xanax withdrawal creates anxiety and panic attacks. It's one of the most ironic things about this drug is that the drug itself causes anxiety when you don't take it. It took me 4 months to ween myself off the drug and was very difficult. I encourage anybody taking this drug long term to reconsider. It is very addictive after only a few weeks. | If you must take this drug, only take it during extreme panic attacks, no more than once a week. If you are taking it on a regular basis you will get hooked on it. I have spoke to several other people who experienced Benzo Withdrawal like I did. It is not a fun thing. I felt like I was having a heart attack every day not on this drug. Don't let this happen to you. | M | 33 | 1.5 years | 8/8/2009 | 5 | GAD, PTSD, OCD, PCOS Mood swings | A decrease in sex drive above 1.75mgs/day Slight drowsiness at the beginning of therapy No others. This drug saved my life! | This drug has saved mylife. After years of SSRI's Triptans and every other group of drugs that could be thrown at me I found a doctor that stopped trying to give me anti-depressants or Ativan (nasty stuff and useless) and gave me Xanax. I can leave my home, be in crowds, I am pursuing a career in medicine and run my own business. My temper isn't short anymore and when panic attempts to strike I know that within 15 minutes I can handle any situation. It has given me my sense of self and power over my life back. This medication was an answer to my prayers. The rest had just been nightmares. | F | 30 | 2 years | 8/3/2009 | 4 | Panic Attacks | Tiredness, loss of concentration, unmotivated | Xanax helps immediatley at the onset of a panic attack. Calms me down. Unfortunatley I'll be tired and unfocused for the next couple of hours on it. I only take it once or twice a week when needed. | F | 23 | 4 years | 8/2/2009 | 4 | GAD and Nausea induced by anxiety | Just a bit loopy but MUCH calmer and and increase to appetite. | If you are not an addictive personality type take the thoughts of dependency off the table (also invokes anxiety). Been on SSRI (Lexapro) but it does not produce calmness as advertised - so Xanax is my only saving grace. I take.50mg 3x/day. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR OF ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS CONSTANT NAUSEA and is being treated for that with SSRI/Xanax. Kind of feel alone in this therapy plan (go to CBT therapy sessions all the time too). | M | 45 | 5 years | 7/22/2009 | 5 | anxiety & panic attacks | None - I take 0.125mg in the AM, under tounge | I use 3 x 10mg Buspar generic daily for base line control and then start my day out with the 0.125mg Xanax under tounge. This causes quick action and I start my day level instead of "35,000 ft and climbing". Obviously I reduce my chances of building up a tolerance. If I do air travel, etc. then I add what's necessary for unusual anxiety. My thanks to all the contributors to this forum. | M | 73 | 9 months | 7/16/2009 | 5 | Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia | none | wonder pill, I've heard about the withdrawls, but I don't plan on experiencing them anytime soon. Xanax gets rid of panic in about 15 minutes, agoraphobia sometimes need 2 doses of 1mg. 1 before going out, and a 2nd while out shopping, in the car, or wherever your at. Best thing out there for anxiety. I take 2-3 doses of 1mg. | M | 29 | 3 years | 7/6/2009 | 4 | Anxiety, Panic Attacks | muscle twitching, rebound anxiety, feelings of going to pass out | I was on a very low dose for a little over a year. I averaged about .5 mg a day and I have never taken more than .75mg for any major attack. The drug works great when you need it. The problem is long term use. Even though I was on a low dose, I had to wean off this drug for weeks. I am now 3 weeks off of it completely and my body still does not feel right. I am determined to stay off this drug and only use it when I need it. It is a security blanket for me, as I walk around with it in my pocket, just incase I need it. It is great for short term usage or for when you need it, but I would not take this drug long term. | M | 50 | 1 years | 7/1/2009 | 2 | Chronic Anxiety | Depression after 2 weeks of .25 mg spaced throughout the day. Constant desire to sleep. | Definitely does the right thing by preventing a panic attack, but by no means is it a long term solution pill. I only use them in quick, special needs cases. | M | 20 | 1 months | 6/30/2009 | 1 | to calm me during upsetting events | Instead of calming me when I was upset, it made me more upset, even threw me into a fit publicly. | I took only 2 pills, on 2 separate occasions a few days apart. The first time, I was coming home from the hospital after surgery and took the pill in the car on the way home. When I got out of the car I had a sort of weird fit/seizure in the driveway in front of everyone. The second time, I took it to calm myself because I was in a fight with my mom. Instead of calming me, it made me even more upset and I ended up crying all night long. But I haven't seen on this board anyone else with my experience so maybe it's really rare. Maybe I should try it again one day when I'm not upset, just to see if it really was the drug causing these problems. What's for sure is, it didn't calm me, unless I would have been even worse if I hadn't taken it, which is doubtful. | F | 41 | 2 times | 6/26/2009 | 1 | anxiety attacks | after just a few days of .5mg use, I fainted, hit my head during the fall had a concussion and spent a day in the hospital. I have NEVER fainted before. | Be careful | F | 37 | 3 days | 6/26/2009 | 4 | anxiety | extreme tiredness, black outs | It does the job... relaxes me completey... i only take these AS NEEDED because they make me tired and I won't remember doing things...which is super scary. Also can become addictive. | F | 21 | 1 years | 6/19/2009 | 4 | agoraphobia, insomnia | lightheaded, tired, slow | i was originally prescribed xanax 0.25mg for insomnia due to a bipolar manic phase. i had also been given Ativan and Ambien neither of which i liked at all. The xanax didnt really help me fall asleep, so it didnt work for the insomnia. however, i also have social anxiety and agoraphobia which leads to severe panic attacks. i was prescribed Ativan for those, which did all right. I decided to try 0.5mg of Xanax instead of teh Ativan and it works likea charm! no anxiety at all. I still have the same thoughts of panic and anxiety but i do not have the same physical reactions to stress as i did and it is easier for me to go into situations that would normally cause me panic attacks (for example, airports). i am asking my psychiatrist to change me over to Xanax as needed. | F | 31 | 2 months | 6/15/2009 | 2 | anxiety post surgery complications | memory loss, headache, drowsiness, clumsyness/balance issues, dry mouth (especially in morning), loss of apetite. | Hi Everyone... I was on xanas for about 3 - 4 weeks taking approximately 2.0 MG/day for anxiety related to some surgery complications. I have been off Xanas for the last 48 hours or so and am experiencing a lot of odd body issues including headache, dizziness, chills (sporadic), tingling in toes, neck pain (left side, by vein, not muscular), feeling heat-like feelings in my veins, and blurry vision. All of these symptoms are not happening at once but each has been noticible over the last 2 days or so... Anyone else experience these withdrawal-like symptoms after 3-4 weeks of usage? | F | 32 | 3 weeks | 6/10/2009 | 4 | sexual dysfunction/anxiety | made me sleepy, made me much less irritable, helped with anxiety attacks. When took to close together made me sort of manic. Did not increase sex drive, but did help with the stress hindering from being able to have sex | Took as needed, not daily | F | 29 | 2 years | 6/9/2009 | 5 | severe anxiety, panic attacks | headaches, lightheadedness, short-term memory loss (alot), dizziness | well, actually, 4 years ive been taking it off and on, because i was taken off of it back in 2008 because i got caught ODing on xanax and went to the psych ward. now a year later and i talked my shrink into letting me take it again. and now because my anxiety is so very severe, he has me taking 4mg a day PRN. but i really love it whether im addicted to it or not. it calms me down, dangit!!!!!! nuttin like a good tranq i say! despite the side effects, its still worth taking for me because of my serious condition. | F | 23 | 4 years | 6/4/2009 | 5 | panic anxiety ptsd | slight memory loss | Xanax has helped me finally live a more active life. I take it with mirtazapine for my ptsd. I'm not worried about addiction. (.5 X 3 a day) | M | 63 | 2 years | 6/3/2009 | 5 | GAD, Chest Pains | Sleepiness if I take too much. | Wonderful drug. Has helped immensely with stress related anxiety. I went to the ER with chest pains that turned out to be anxiety. I have already been able to stop taking one of my high-blood pressure medications and hope to be off the other one in about a month. I take .25mg before work in the morning and half of that in the early afternoon if it's a bad day. I also take half of .25mg before bed to make sure I sleep through the night. Had taken it about 3 years ago and stopped, but I'm back on it now and won't get off until I am able to quit this job. | F | 49 | 2 months | 5/26/2009 | 1 | Anxiety - Stress | I was on the drug at a low dose of .25 three times a day for 14 months. I then tapered carefully for 9 months and has a horrid withdrawal that lasted 4+ years - and it was not simply the old symptoms returning - I had dozens more I never had. Was forced to stop work for 3 years. I belong to an Internet support group of over 4,000 people harmed by benzos - many permanently | M | 38 | 14 months | 5/23/2009 | 4 | anxiety | TIRED. | This stuff calms me down quite a bit and keeps me from freaking out and being nervous/anxious about everything. I only use it about once a week. Don't abuse it like a moron and you won't become addicted. The only drawback is I can barely stay awake after taking it. | M | 33 | 8 months | 5/22/2009 | 4 | Anxiety,Panic Attacks | Sleepy out of it, some short term memory loss,feeling close to addiction. | TO ANYONE PLANNING ON TAKING XANAX I TRULY ADVISE U NOT TO IT IS VERY ADDICTIVE ALTHOUGH I WAS TAKING A SMALL DOSE A DAY THE FIRST THREE WEEKS I FELT DEPENDENT ON THEM OR ELSE I COULD NOT FALL ASLEEP ITS A PROBLEM OVER A PRBLEM U MIGHT BE FIXING THE ANXIETY BUT WHO OR WHAT WILL FIX YOUR ADDICTION. I SEE SOME PEOPLE WROTE THEY HAVE BEEN ON XANAX FOR 6 OR 8 YEARS OMG I WOULD KILL MYSELF IF I HAD TO TAKE THAT EVERYDAY . I ADVISE YOU TOO UNDERSTAND ANXIETY AND PANIC DISORDER BE STRONG AND DEPEND ON YOURSELF TO FIX YOUR ANXIETY I WAS ABLE TO PUT A STOP AFTER A MONTH OF TAKING THEM I JUST DIDNT FEEL LIKE BEING ADDICTED TO ANYTHING SO I STOP TAKING THEM AND I WAS FINE.DOCTORS WILL SAY U NEED THEM LIKE THEY TOLD ME BUT USE THE XANAX AS A BRIDGE TO REALITY AND BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR SELF GOOD LUCK! GOD BLESS | F | 23 | 1 months | 5/19/2009 | 5 | GAD, Panic Disorder | None. | I wish benzos didn't lose efficacy over time. I started out twith 1/16 mg 2x per day. That was 8 years ago. Now, I need .5 mg 2x per day to combat anxiety, and 1 mg to fight a panic attack. Unlike Klonopin, which I had taken for 3 years and "detoxed" terribly when I stopped taking it, it seems that in calm times, I can go with little or no Xanax for days without any side effects. | F | 34 | 8 years | 5/10/2009 | 5 | panic disorder/ anxiety | light drowsiness, sleepy | try to take the smallest doses when possible | M | 29 | 7 years | 5/9/2009 | 5 | | 5/6/2009 | 4 | Severe GAD | Occasional drowsiness | Everyone complains about the addictive nature of this drug. Who cares? It's the only one that has worked for me. Tried most SSRIs and SSNRI's to no avail. After a nervous breakdown, a house fire, the unexpected death of my wife in a auto accident, the loss of a two year old foster daughter whom we were to adopt (she had to be moved after wife's death), then my very best friend died from cancer - all within a year and a half. The last thing I care about is being dependent on a prescription drug. I am more worried about a "self-medicator" driving around drunk and killing my kids and myself than Xanax dependence. Puts things in perspective a little doesn't it? I take 3 mg a day now - so what if I have to go up! | M | 44 | 3 years | 5/6/2009 | 4 | Help Sleep relieve stress | Feeling of drowsiness at early stages then it became useful for when you have those bad bays and need to take the edge off, generally calms you down and makes you feel good occasionally loopy. | Apparently this is a sleeper drug thats very addictive and dangerous and can lead to seizures if you stop taking it. Any drug that rewires the way your brain works seems bad for recreational use... be careful- knowledge is power | M | 24 | 75 days | 5/5/2009 | 4 | "Excessive Worrying" | Xanax is a side effect in itself!!! The more you take the more you'll NEED to take! It's a creeping vicious cycle! The withdraw is hell! Save yourself the agony, and don't start taking them in the first place! | Although I'm on the lowest dose 0.5, my body adapted to it very quickly. It's highly addictive! I am weaning myself off! I've decided it's worse to become a slave to xanax than it is to worry to much. I've cut my dosing down to 1/2 pill at dinner time, then the other 1/2 before bedtime. I thought weaning from 150mg Effexor to 37.5mg was going to be tough. My humble advise - don't take this medication unless you truly NEED too. The MORE you take the xanax the MORE you'll need to take it! I'm sitting here typing this and feel the withdraw symptoms rearing their ugly head. I refuse to take it! If I give in I'll only feel better for a short time. It will just make it harder the next time. I'll have to sit here and ride through the chills, sweats, and desire to take another dose. The withdraws will settle down eventually. They come in waves. Their like a roller coaster! You feel them coming, you close your eyes and go with them, then they pass. I don't know how long this coaster will go up and down, but I refuse to let this beat me. I'll tell you one thing, I'll NEVER take these again. It's unbelievable how quickly my body got adjusted to them. I can feel my body craving them. Addiction? I would have never believed it possible on such a small milligram, and for such a short time. Never again will I take anything remotely similar to this class of medications!!! ~Bright Blessings to all~ | F | 58 | 6 months | 4/16/2009 | 5 | GAD | Very sleepy, sometimes I feel "out of it", and I definitely had some short term memory loss. | This medication saved me from my anxiety. I have anxiety on a daily basis without cause, really. i feel "normal" now besides the every now and then loopy feeling. Much better than wanting to run home from wherever I am and hide. I have noticed that I do have withdrawl symptoms when I have surpassed the time I should take it next which worries me. But it helps. (I take 1mg 1x daily). | F | 26 | | 4/13/2009 | 5 | Lupus | Weight gain, short-term memory loss, decreased sexual drive, slurred speach, and loss of thought. | I started taking this two years ago for Lupus. My Lupus is brought on by stress, and the Xanax prevents me from being stressed. It's an alternative to taking plaqunil and steroids that most Lupus patients use. It is aggravating when you're trying to do something and can't remember what it was you were doing... People look at you like you're nuts. It is very addicting, but not the same way crack is (or I hear). Do not drink while you're on this medication, it really does intensify the effects. It can also take away headaches! I usually take 1/2 mg /day, sometimes I don't take it at all... Just depends on how I am feeling when I wake up. | F | 24 | 2 years | 4/8/2009 | 4 | Anxiety | Nothing bad. Can make me sleepy. | Most of the time it does a good job in calming me down during periods of high anxiety or panic. I don't take it unless I really need to because of the risk of dependency. | M | 29 | 1 years | 4/7/2009 | 1 | anxiety attacks/GAD | tolerance,increased anxiety over time,increased insomnia over time,weakness,depression,short term memory loss, | Great for short term anxiety. Do not take more than two weeks. You will get addicted if you do. Horrible drug if taken long term. Dont do it. Its hell coming off these drugs and its my own fault. | M | 38 | 2 years | 4/7/2009 | 5 | Severe Anxiety | Slight drowsiness and mild short-term memory loss | Best thing that ever happened to me! I developed anxiety at 13 years old. Started out of the blue with NO external trigger(s). In time I learned to sort of talk myself down but the older I became the more anxiety I had. I went into "talk" therapy for several years with NO decrease in anxiety despite all the coping mechanisms I was taught. I researched anxiety in college and found that some people have a brain chemical disorder for which "talk" therapy is useless. I still didn't want to take any drugs but I finally did when I was about 35. My Doctor first tried anti-depressants but they didn't work & had numerous side effects. Buspar gave me anxiety attacks. Finally, my doctor prescribed Xanax. When the first dose kicked in I knew this was the answer to my nightmare of a life! NO more anxiety attacks, feelings of unreality, NO more "on edge ready to run & hide" feelings. I have seen my current Dr (a psychiatrist) for about 10 years. A few years ago he talked me into taking Lexapro so I could decrease my dependence on Xanax (.75mg three times a day) and also help with some mild depression. The Lexapro worked and I reduced the Xanax to .25mg three time a day. However, in the last year or so, I noticed I had become rather emotionless. I am now off Lexapro (HORRIBLE withdrawals!!) but my anxiety level has increased. I suppose I am technically addicted to Xanax but since this is the only therapy that works I will continue using it EVEN if I hav | M | 50 | 16 years | 4/2/2009 | 2 | anxiety, depression | a little drowsy | didn't do a thing for me I would take 1.5 mg at a time like a placebo | M | 22 | 10 days | 4/2/2009 | 4 | 8 months | sleepiness for about 15 min's after taking; slight brain fogginess when doses wear off | On .5mg per day and has been a lifesaver to be honest; have tried numerous ADs and xanax makes me feel much more normal without all the wierd side effects. At daily low doses, I do believe xanax can be effective and safe for GAD without becoming addictive or harmful. | M | 26 | 8 months | 3/25/2009 | 5 | anxiety | sleepiness | As someone who has was once almost housebound with panic attacks twenty years ago, this drug has been wonderful. I only take it when I start getting speedy and my thoughts are racing. It helps be get back to neutral and I haven't had a panic attack in 20 years. I only use this drug as needed - less than 30 pills/yearly. | F | 59 | | 3/23/2009 | 4 | Insomnia and anxiety | none | taken at very low doses it works quite well | F | 83 | 25 years | 3/20/2009 | 5 | Anxiety-induced insomnia | NONE!!!! | This drug saved my life. I was on a six day insomnia binge and I was about TO LOSE IT. My heart was racing and my BP was 157/120. I tried Zoloft for two days and it made my insomnia worse! Ugh! If you have severe anxiety and occasional or regular insomnia- I DO NOT RECOMMEND ZOLOFT. Zoloft works well for depression and people whose anxiety does not interfere with their sleep. Anyway, back to this past weeek, I was in hell and drove myself to the ER and pleaded with them to give me something to help me sleep. The ER doctor prescribed Xanax and I slept for the first time in 6 days the first night I took it. People don't understand what it's like to be deprived of sleep for so long. I have a good life, great parents and family, a wonderful, amazing boyfriend and super supportive friends. But all of that means nothing if you are suffering from underlying anxiety and insomnia because you cannot contribute to those relationships. Also, I will say this: there is no substitute for diet and exe | F | 32 | 2 days | 3/14/2009 | 1 | anxiety | addiction, depression, memory loss, brain damage and job loss | Xanax is a very addictive drug, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. To all those taking it long term you are going to be very sorry someday. The key researcher for Xanax and Halcion, Dr. Louis Faber, has been accused of fraud and negligence in his clinical trials and was recently suspended by the FDA. This drug is illegally on the market because of fraudulent clinical trials. | M | 45 | 6 years | 3/14/2009 | 5 | Panic and Anxiety | Slight drowsiness | XANAX REALLY HELPS my Panic and Anxiety. I have been on it for 7 years and have NEVER taken more than .75 mg per day in that entire 7 years. My doctor says that I wont be addicted if I stay below 4mgs per day. Yes, I do HAVE to know that I have it or I kinda freak a little bit - but besides that - I am not afraid of taking it. I tried BIO feedback and Relaxation therapy which were both kind of a joke (and expensive) and do almost nothing when you have a real anxiety disorder. I wonder about long term effects but I have to be on something or I can't work. It seems from what others have written that it has FAR LESS side effects than an anti-depressent. Until they find a cure for anxiety and panic - I am staying on XANAX - GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU and thanks for sharing!! | F | 48 | 7 years | 3/7/2009 | 1 | relaxant before laser eye surgery | could not stop crying for about 5 hours | F | 32 | 1 days | 3/6/2009 | 5 | anxiety and panic | I became a bit agoraphobic but it wore off | A god send of medication.....be careful u dont get depressed | M | 37 | 3 years | 3/4/2009 | 5 | Panic disorder, anxiety | some drowsiness at first,soon went away | This med should not be used long term I found out the hard way. at first it was great pop a few MG's I could do anything i was usually afraid to do, now after 8 years I am still on it and all the DR's can do is increase my dose so I dont have withdrawls from it. I really wish i listened to people that told me if i feel like it is a crutch than to try to slow down on it,but i didnt and now take 18 mg's daily.4mg a.m. 4mg H.S. 2mg Q2-4hours PRN | M | 8 years | 3/3/2009 | 4 | anxiety/panic attacks | groggy, relaxed, hard time concentrating | A few years ago I had difficulty with panicing when getting on airplanes. I take .5mg about 30 minutes before flights and it helps. My physician said this drug works for everyone - it's just a matter of getting the dosage correct. He also said it's addictive, which for me it just makes me drowsy and a little loopy, more relaxed. I will never get addicted to this drug I can tell you that, and am glad to have it available for when I fly. The first time I took it it did nothing, I had to take two pills for it to work. | M | 42 | 2 years | 2/28/2009 | 4 | Sleep / Insomnia | Hard to shake the groginess in the morning. Possibly memory loss or hard to remember words in a conversation | I was prescribed this for anxiety when my teenage daughter was driving my wife and I into the nuthouse. I have never been a good sleeper and discovered .5 pill would literally put me to sleep. I suffer from terrible insomnia, I have tried and tried to sleep without this drug as I really would rather not take it. One .5 milligram pill knocks me out within 15 minutes. Without this drug I simply would be a zombie. With it however I am wondering if I am a zombie as well. It just seems to hang with me in the morning for a couple of hours. | M | 46 | 6 years | 2/19/2009 | 5 | anxiety | none | M | 58 | 3 months | 2/17/2009 | 5 | severe, chronic insomnia | Aside from a decreased sex drive, I've had no other side effects, except a good night's sleep. Dose is 1 mg. at bed time. | This drug saved my life. I had severe, chronic insomnia along with some anxiety, for several years. I tried every herbal remedy there is, as I believe natural is best, but absolutely nothing worked. Also was prescribed several prescription drugs before xanax, but none of those worked either. | F | 50 | 12 years | 2/10/2009 | 5 | GAD, Panic, Agoraphobia | None | This is the only medication that works for me. I have been put on just about every antidepressant out there and NONE have worked. They all have terrible side effects. I also tried Buspar and I couldn't take more than 2 doses without vomiting. I just couldn't keep it down. It was so hard to get Xanax because doctors are reluctant to give it out. I hear so much about addiction but when this is the only thing that helps you, you take as little as possible and only on an as needed basis. I don't want to be on ANY drug longterm. I prefer the natural route, but when I have panic or Insomnia Xanax is necessary. I am disgusted by the people that use this recreationally, because it makes it so the people who really need it have a horrible time getting it. I have never used Xanax to get high and I don't have an addictive personality. I don't drink when I take it. I am so sick of people making me feel bad for taking this. Nothing else helps my panic or agoraphobia. I have taken on | F | 28 | 5 years | 2/10/2009 | 5 | anxiety | perhaps drowsiness - will not take if driving madhouse Seattle traffic | Doc warned me Xanax cd become habit forming - I started with half mg tabs several times a day. Habit? Not so - am now down to only quarter mg. tabs for help sleeping , none during day any more. I take no other drugs. I find other ways to avoid anxiety during daytime - long walks, TV blabbermouths, good book, longish naps, bothering friends on phone... I feel for users who seem to have the bizarre side effects and wonder if they are taking wrong med, too much, or have more complex probs. | M | 72 | 21 years | 2/6/2009 | 2 | anxiety | very sleepy especially next day and irritability | not very effective for me | F | 38 | 15 times | 2/6/2009 | 1 | I minor anxiety problem | I was ok while I was on the drug for the first few months then tolerance set in. My dose became increased & increased & then I started having withdrawal while still taking the drug(in between doses)! The dr. then basically cold turkeyed me off. I have not been the same since. | NEVER take this drug more than 2-4 weeks! This and ALL benzos cause withdrawal and may cause a withdrawal syndrome. I have been in withdrawal for over a year now with no healing in site. Take it from me, these drugs are NOT worth it to lose your life over. | F | 28 | 2 years | 2/4/2009 |