Xanax, also known as Alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine that improves the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It is usually used to treat anxiety disorders, anxiety caused by depression, and panic disorders such as agoraphobia. The drug comes in different colors and shapes, and the various types of the drug are identified through the color and the shape.
In 2021, there were over 15 million prescriptions of Xanax, making it the most prescribed benzodiazepine in the United States. A study conducted in 2018 also stated that 5.3 million people have engaged in Xanax misuse in the past year.
With the number of people using the drug, it’s important to understand if it is possible to overdose on Xanax and what can happen if you or someone close to you experiences it.
What is the Proper Dosage of Xanax?
Generally, the proper dosage relies on the condition being treated and the recommendation of a licensed professional. The amount you can take regarding your decision is not solely on the condition being treated. There are several other factors, such as height, weight or body mass index, age, and gender, to consider because everybody reacts differently to the drug.
Xanax comes in different strengths, such as:
- 0.25 mg
- 0.5 mg
- 1 mg
- 2 mg
The doctor you consult will most likely prescribe a low dosage at the start and slowly adjust it until it reaches the right amount. Instead of increasing the dosage until the average one, it is more likely that the lowest dosage that can produce the expected outcome will be prescribed.
Regarding the commonly used dosage for generalized anxiety disorder, the starting point would likely be 0.25 mg – 0.5 mg tablets that would be taken 3 times a day. The dosage will likely be increased once every 3 to 4 days to a total of 3 to 4 mg daily in divided doses, and the maximum treatment duration is 8 to 12 weeks, including a tapering-off period.
For panic disorders, the common starting dosage is 0.5 mg tablets that will be taken 3 times a day. If the body responds positively to the drug, the dosage will be increased slowly by no more than 1 mg every 3 to 4 days. 10 mg daily may be used if required.
How Much Xanax is Too Much?
There are different overdose risks for each dosage of Xanax for each person. In some instances, if a person has a low tolerance level for Xanax, they may come across an overdose on a lower dose compared to someone who has been taking the drug moderately over a significant period. In addition, consuming Xanax along with other central nervous depressants (alcohol and opiates) can increase the risk of an overdose regardless of the dosage of Xanax that was prescribed to you. Another important risk factor for Xanax toxicity is advanced age due to impaired metabolism and increased sensitivity to benzodiazepines.
Overdosage may be suspected if the individual taking Xanax experiences drowsiness, mental confusion, lethargy, impaired coordination, diminished reflexes, and rapid heart rate. For serious cases, low blood pressure, low body temperature (hypothermia), limp body, coma, or severe incoordination are observed.
What Happens During a Xanax Overdose?
The body will reach a point where it will be overwhelmed with the excessive amounts of Xanax in the system, which will result in a longer sedative effect on the central nervous system. Xanax enhances the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which has a calming effect on the brain.
Once the drug is consumed in large doses, the calming effect becomes stronger, which can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, and loss of motor coordination. As the overdose continues, it can result in respiratory depression, irregular breathing, and a decreased heart rate, which can be life-threatening. In severe cases, an alprazolam overdose can result in death because of respiratory failure.
Xanax Overdose Symptoms
The intensity of the overdose may vary based on several factors, such as the amount of Xanax consumed, the body chemistry, sensitivity to depressants, and whether other substances have been taken alongside Xanax.
Mild Symptoms
Examples of the mild symptoms of a Xanax overdose are:
- Confusion
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Slow reflexes
- Rapid heartbeat
Severe Symptoms
Examples of severe signs of an overdose on Xanax are:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Coma
Factors that Contribute to Xanax Overdose
The severity of the Xanax overdose relies on several factors, such as:
Dosage
Prescription drugs are always accompanied by instructions from a doctor in detail on how much should be consumed per dose and how it should be consumed. Taking too much Xanax and exceeding the prescribed dose or mixing it with other substances like alcohol or opioids can intensify depressant effects on the central nervous system.
Mixing Xanax with Alcohol
Central nervous depressants and alcohol have the same effect, which is to slow down brain activity. Once you mix Xanax with alcohol, their compounding effects can result in an overdose. The combination of these two substances can produce low blood pressure, difficulty breathing (respiratory depression), loss of motor function, and other life-threatening complications.
Metabolism
The speed of a person’s metabolism and overall metabolism health affect how fast Xanax is absorbed into the bloodstream. For instance, the elderly are more sensitive to the effects of Xanax compared to younger individuals. Moreover, several medical conditions usually exist in people with advanced age, which negatively impact the metabolism of the drug. The elderly with liver or kidney problems might have difficulties in clearing the drug from their system, possibly resulting in toxicity.
Weight
Another important factor that contributes to Xanax overdose is weight. For instance, in obese individuals, the body gets rid of Xanax more slowly than usual, i.e., 22 hours versus 11 hours in healthy adults. Caution should be exercised in prescribing Xanax to patients with obesity.
What are the Risks of Overdosing on Xanax?
The major risk factor of a Xanax overdose occurring is combining Xanax with other substances, especially alcohol. Examples of other risk factors include:
- Taking a higher dose of benzodiazepines than what is prescribed for the clinical condition.
- Taking benzodiazepines and opioids together, even if it is prescribed.
- Purchasing illicit Xanax because this will likely be laced with other substances such as fentanyl.
Long-Term Impacts of Xanax Overdose
A Xanax overdose can have significant long-term effects on both physical and mental health if not treated immediately. The severity of these effects will depend on several factors, such as dosage, duration of use, and other factors like health conditions.
Cognitive impairment is one of the long-term effects of a Xanax overdose. An overdose of Xanax can cause long-lasting memory problems, such as short-term memory, concentration, and recalling information. It causes the person to experience confusion, slower thinking, and difficulty processing information. This is possibly due to the cut-off of oxygen supply to key areas of the brain during the overdose episode, resulting in cognitive impairment.
Xanax overdoses can also pose a significant strain on the liver, which leads to liver dysfunction or damage. Overdoses also cause respiratory depression, which results in long-term breathing problems and even death if not immediately treated.
There are also emotional effects when it comes to a Xanax overdose. A person who went through an overdose can have a hard time functioning at work or in social settings, especially if the overdose is recent. The person may experience being withdrawn or isolating themselves from their relationships with family and friends.
Withdrawal symptoms also come into the picture after experiencing an overdose. Depending on the severity, these symptoms could last weeks to months. In addition, once a person has gone through an overdose and still uses Xanax more than intended, another overdose could likely occur in the future.
What to do if Someone is Overdosing on Xanax?
A Xanax overdose or any other substance overdose is considered an emergency that needs immediate medical attention. If you think that someone around you or close to you is going through an overdose, it is important to try and stay calm, act quickly, and call the emergency hotline for first responders to treat the person with airway management and other lifesaving techniques.
However, if you feel like the person has taken benzodiazepines with opioids, there are some extra things you can keep in mind that might be helpful. If you have naloxone, administer it because it reverses the effects of opioids on the system. You can also turn the person on their side to keep their airway open and administer CPR or other forms of first aid if you are trained. Lastly, the person should be closely monitored until the emergency services arrive.
How is a Xanax Overdose Treated?
Generally, the treatment for Xanax or any benzodiazepine overdose is composed of supportive care, which can include intubation for airway management and mechanical ventilation if needed. In limited situations, those who are going through an overdose will be given a drug calledflumazenilto act as an antidote to counteract the benzo-activated sedation.
However, flumazenil has risks of its own because it can be part of the cause of the development of acute benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and the increase of life-threatening seizures for some people.
Xanax addiction treatment may be overwhelming at first, but it is the risk you could take to avoid an overdose. Contact Luxe Recovery to learn more about our services.
