Alprazolam (Xanax®) Withdrawal Symptoms

Having trouble sleeping lately? Have you also stopped taking Xanax?

Alprazolam, sold in generic form but best known by the brand name (Xanax®) can be a powerful tool to help manage symptoms of anxiety disorders.  A patient may be prescribed alprazolam along with cognitive behavior therapy.  The medication can often help a patient calm down enough to fully absorb his or her therapy sessions.

But alprazolam is only prescribed short-term because of the risk of addiction.  This is a class of drug known as a benzodiazepine.  Over prolonged use, usually more than six months, the body becomes tolerant of benzodiazepines.  The body then needs to take more and more pills in order to get the same effect.  The person then becomes addicted.  Xanax® withdrawal symptoms can be painful.

No Cold Turkey

Never stop taking alprazolam suddenly.  Always tell your doctor or therapist that you want to go off alprazolam.  Benzodiazepines need to be tapered off slowly.  If you do not have a pill splitter, ask your pharmacist to split the pills, if necessary. 

Normal Withdrawal Symptoms

Alprazolam withdrawal symptoms differ from person to person.  Common mild but highly annoying withdrawal symptoms to plan ahead for include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Unless a person is both vomiting and has diarrhea to the point where he or she risks becoming dehydrated, calling a doctor is usually not necessary.  These withdrawal symptoms can start a few hours after the last dose or even occur during a missed dose.  But always consult your doctor if you are worried about these symptoms.

Unusual Withdrawal Symptoms

Some strange but not dangerous symptoms have been reported by some patients, including this writer, as they went through Xanax® withdrawal.  These include:

Sweaty palms or breaking out into a mild sweat

Ringing of the ears or hearing strange noises that no one else can hear

Having a persistent strange taste in the mouth that can last for days

These symptoms should go away in a few days but always contact a medical professional if they either do not go away after a week or if you are very worried about them.

Dangerous Withdrawal Symptoms

These are the worst known alprazolam withdrawal symptoms.  Anyone going cold turkey from alprazolam risks experiencing these symptoms.  Anyone tapering off of any benzodiazepine should have a doctor’s office or trusted friend call the patient every couple of days to see if these symptoms crop up:

• Seizures
• Return of panic attacks
• Hallucinations
• Heart palpations or a hammering heart
• Sudden or bizarre personality changes

Contact a doctor immediately.

Sources:

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Controlling Anxiety.” Joni E. Johnston, Psy.D. Alpha Books; 2006.

EMedTV. “Xanax® Withdrawal Symptoms.” http://anxiety.emedtv.com/xanax/xanax-withdrawal-symptoms.html

National Anxiety Foundation. “For the Layperson: Dr. Steve’s Guide for Discontinuing Xanax® (Alprazolam.)” Stephen Cox, MD. http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html

Image from Wikimedia Commons