However, these symptoms can also affect anyone who stops taking Xanax. In addition to smoking and snorting Xanax, individuals who abuse it may inject Xanax by crushing up pills and dissolving them into a solution before injecting it with a needle. This is also referred to as ‘shooting up’ or intravenous (IV) Xanax use.
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms telll your doctor immediately:
The guidelines recommend other options for first-line treatment of this condition. Any form of Xanax abuse can lead to physical dependence and addiction, including oral alprazolam consumption. When an individual has become dependent on Xanax, stopping taking the drug abruptly or going cold turkey could cause severe side effects. Seeking treatment at a quality addiction rehabilitation facility can help you overcome an addiction to Xanax in safe, healthy manner. At FHE Health, we are dedicated to helping those with substance use disorders achieve long-lasting freedom from addiction.
You should not take pain relievers that contain an opioid with Xanax unless your doctor has approved it. If you need a pain reliever during Xanax treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a suitable medication. Xanax has a boxed warning about the risk of severe harm or death if taken with opioids. Xanax may also sometimes be prescribed off-label for sleep problems. The medication works quickly, so it can help you fall asleep if you have difficulty doing so.
Are you aware of the dangers of smoking, snorting or injecting Xanax? Xanax has been available since the 1980s, and it’s usually prescribed to individuals with anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax is usually taken orally as a tablet, capsule or liquid. The dosage is dependent on the individual’s health, response to the medication and age. Xanax should only be taken in accordance with the directions provided by your primary care doctor. It shouldn’t be smoked, injected or snorted due to the possibility of adverse reactions, like severe infections, damage to the nose and difficulty breathing.
Consuming alcohol during Xanax treatment can also increase your risk of an overdose from Xanax and, in rare cases, death. If you feel you need help avoiding alcohol while taking Xanax, talk with your doctor. can xanax be injected You’re more likely to have withdrawal symptoms after stopping Xanax treatment if you’ve been taking the drug for a long time or at a high dose.
- Due to this interaction, doctors will typically advise that you do not take Xanax with cannabis.
- Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock.
- The truth is that the nose is simply not functional for inhaling powders.
- This absolutely causes aesthetic physical damage (which is quite painful), but is surgically reversible.
It is extremely important to call 911 to get emergency medical treatment for anyone exhibiting the above symptoms. Typical prescribed tablet doses include 0.25 mg (milligrams), 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. Prescription tablets are scored so that they can be split in half. Liquid versions of this drug include a dropper with measurements on the side. Because Xanax is one of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States, it is also one of the most widely abused.
Risk Effects of Injecting Xanax
Not to mention, Xanax should never be combined with other substances, especially depressants. Remove the orally disintegrating tablet from the bottle just before it is time for your dose. With dry hands, open the bottle, remove the tablet, and immediately place it on your tongue. The orally disintegrating tablet can be taken with or without water. Kyle Smith, 26, of Willenhall, West Midlands, was sentenced to four years having pleaded guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs. Tonkinson, of Arundel Road, Willenhall, was jailed for four years and six months after admitting five charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs.
What Are the Short-term and Long-term Effects of Xanax Use?
- When Xanax does not get fully and properly dissolved in the body, it can lead to blocked blood vessels, which can trigger a heart attack, stroke, or other types of cardiovascular problems.
- Smoking a pressed Xanax bar that includes opiates can lead to serious injury or death.
- With dry hands, open the bottle, remove the tablet, and immediately place it on your tongue.
- However, it does not work as well for an overdose involving multiple substances, which is more common with Xanax overdose.
Benzodiazepine drugs are prescribed frequently by physicians. However, if they are taken against the specific guidelines of a healthcare professional, benzos like Xanax can be potentially dangerous. Although Xanax is a prescription drug, it has a high potential for abuse.
Getting Help for Xanax Abuse
This can include behavioral therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. It can include psychotherapy as well as motivational interviewing and contingency management, and it may also involve participating in individual and group therapy. When Xanax pills are crushed into a powder, they can be snorted.
It means doing a deep dive into the factors that drove you to addiction in the first place. The problem with any form of Xanax abuse is that seeking higher doses of the drug increases the risk of overdose. Xanax can have dangerous side effects when abused, leading to addiction and other health problems.
Xanax and other medications
This medication is sometimes used to treat depression, but this is usually an off-label treatment because it is rare. It eases anxiety by boosting the effect of GABA, a type of neurotransmitter in your brain. If you no longer need to take Xanax and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely.
Xanax tablets are scored and can be split if your doctor or pharmacist advises this. The manufacturer does not provide information on taking Xanax this way. If you have difficulty swallowing Xanax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy does not have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.
Would my doctor prescribe Xanax for depression, sleep problems, or other conditions?
Xanax is approved to treat only generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. However, your doctor might sometimes prescribe Xanax off-label for certain other uses. Off-label drug use is when a drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for.
The individual may also use more of the medication than they are prescribed and visit multiple doctors in order to maintain their supply. They may also isolate themselves in an effort to hide their dependency. Individuals who are dependent on Xanax may appear to be fatigued or extremely drowsy. They may display signs of memory loss, have low motivation and be unable to concentrate. Individuals with a dependency on Xanax may also experience nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, delirium and light-headedness.
This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. If your doctor has prescribed Xanax and you’re interested in taking alprazolam instead, talk with your doctor. You’ll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover one or the other. For example, you may take it in the morning, after lunch, and in the evening. If you have anxiety that prevents you from falling asleep at night, your doctor may recommend taking your last dose of Xanax before going to bed. You may be curious about how Xanax compares with other drugs that are prescribed for similar purposes, such as clonazepam.
