Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewHow It WorksHow It’s PrescribedSide EffectsPrecautions and ContraindicationsWarnings and InteractionsObtaining a Prescription
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
How It Works
How It’s Prescribed
Side Effects
Precautions and Contraindications
Warnings and Interactions
Obtaining a Prescription
Close
If you havesocial anxiety disorder (SAD), your healthcare provider may recommend that you take Xanax (alprazolam). This can make you wonder not only how this drug can help, but also when to take Xanax, how Xanax is prescribed, and more. We’ll answer all of these questions, helping you to decide if this drug is the right treatment for you.
Social Anxiety Disorder and Xanax
Xanaxis a medication taken in the form of an oral tablet that can be used in the treatment of SAD.It belongs to thebenzodiazepineclass of medication and is commonly prescribed for anxiety and panic disorder.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax are often prescribed as support alongside a primary treatment, likeselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is also frequently used together with medication.
Xanax will not permanently cure your anxiety; rather, it helps to reduce your symptoms at the moment, often so that you can better participate in other forms of treatment, such as psychotherapy. Because Xanax starts working quickly, it will give you some immediate relief if you are suffering from severe bouts of anxiety.
What Conditions Qualify for Xanax?
Xanax is often prescribed forpanic attacks, which can occur as part of SAD. It might also be used in the case ofspecific phobiasfor situations that infrequently occur; for example, a doctor might prescribe Xanax to someone with a fear of flying ahead of an upcoming trip. Xanax is helpful for panic-inducing situations as it can be used as needed before an event.
In the case of SAD, Xanax is more commonly prescribed for cognitive symptoms like worrying about performance or the judgment of others. Xanax can be taken about an hour before a performance event.
How Xanax Reduces Anxiety
Xanax has a half-life of around 11 hours. “Half-life” refers to how long it takes the body to eliminate half of the ingested dose. The clinical effectiveness of one immediate-release Xanax tablet is often much shorter; most people notice the effects wearing off within four to six hours.
How Is Xanax Prescribed?
When used to treat the short-term symptoms of SAD, Xanax is generally prescribed at a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 milligrams (mg), taken three times daily, to start. Your doctor may increase your dose incrementally every three to four days until you reach a maximum of 4 mg daily (given in divided doses).These doses are according to the manufacturer.
Xanax is generally prescribed for a limited time. A doctor who prescribes this medication for longer than eight weeks should check on the status of your anxiety to see if other treatment options might be more suitable.
Xanax can be prescribed as:
When to Take Xanax
You should take Xanax exactly as your doctor prescribes. Overdoses are possible with this medication, so be sure you don’t take too much or double up on your doses. If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s not too close to your next scheduled time.
How to Store
Xanax should be kept at room temperature and, since it is a controlled substance, you should store it securely, out of the reach of others, in a tightly closed container.
Do not take Xanax with grapefruit juice, as it could increase the medication’s effects, or with any other substance that can depress your CNS, like alcohol.
Potential Side Effects of Xanax
There are several factors to keep in mind when taking Xanax. Good communication with your doctor can help you determine what’s normal and when to be concerned.
Common Side Effects
The most commonside effects of taking Xanaxare sedation and drowsiness. In general, benzodiazepines like Xanax have fewer side effects than other longer-term medications for anxiety. Avoid driving, operating machinery, and participating in hazardous activities until you know how you react to Xanax.
Severe Side Effects
Xanax can cause mania, as well as lead to abuse and physical and psychological dependence. Talk to your doctor if you have a history of substance abuse, as Xanax may not be a good choice to treat your SAD.
Precautions and Contraindications for Xanax
You should not take Xanax if you have a hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Xanax has also not been shown to be effective for people under age 18, and elderly people may be more susceptible to adverse side effects. Xanax may also be less effective for people who smoke.
You should also avoid Xanax if you’re currently taking the antifungal medications ketoconazole or itraconazole.
Warnings and Interactions of Xanax
Using Xanax together with opioids can carry serious, life-threatening side effects. This combination can result in extreme sedation with the risk of slowed breathing, coma, and death.
You shouldn’t take opioids and Xanax together unless your doctor believes there is no alternative treatment available to you. If that is the case, they should keep your dosage as low as possible and watch you closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.
A number of medications can potentially interact with Xanax. It is important that your doctor is aware of all the medications you are currently taking. Drugs that may cause issues include:
Grapefruit juice may also interact with Xanax. In addition, the effects of Xanax may be intensified if combined with alcohol.
There is a risk of emotional and physicaldependencewhen taking Xanax.Withdrawal symptomsare possible if the medication is abruptly stopped and may include the risk of seizures.This is why it’s so important to work with your doctor to wean off of this medication slowly.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s directions for stopping Xanax or changing the dosage. Over time, there is a risk of your brain producing less GABA naturally, which may make Xanax less effective.
Obtaining a Xanax Prescription
If you’ve suffered for a long time with SAD, you may wonder how to get prescribed Xanax and if it could help. While it is something that you can ask your doctor about, ultimately they will make the decision about the best treatment options for your situation.
It is important not to use Xanax obtained from someone else. Not only is it illegal to take a medication without a prescription, but it can be dangerous. Besides the risk of dependence and withdrawal, combining Xanax with other substances that suppress your CNS, such as painkillers, antihistamines, and alcohol, can be dangerous.
A Word From Verywell
As always, you should check with your doctor if you have questions about taking Xanax for SAD, and you should always follow their guidelines for this medication. If you feel like Xanax isn’t helping your condition, your doctor may be able to recommend another medication or another form of therapy. It may take time to find the righttreatment protocolthat works for you.
Living With Social Anxiety Disorder
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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