"This is as true with Xanax®
XR as with standard alprazolam medication. Even with the smallest amount
of medication and a small drink, the side effects of Xanax®
are magnified and can result in a great deal of emotional and physical
turmoil."
"Rather than easing a mild panic attack, the introduction of alcohol may
trigger a more intensive attack that requires a trip to a hospital emergency
room. In like manner, people who tend to become irritable when
taking alprazolam may find that every little thing going on around them
causes unreasonable responses of anger that are almost impossible to
control."
Xanax®, a brand name for the drug alprazolam, is
a medication that is used for several different purposes. While primarily
an anti-anxiety drug, Xanax® can also be used in the treatment
of agoraphobia, as a supporting medication to an antidepressant,
and even as an aid in smoking cessation. As with many drugs, mixing Xanax®
and alcohol is never a good idea, since the combination
can produce results that range from mildly uncomfortable to fatal.
It is important to understand that both Xanax® and alcohol are
classified as central nervous system or CNS depressants. That is, both
substances act on some part of brain function to slow down
a given reaction. While not working on the same sets of neurotransmitters,
both Xanax® and alcohol do tend to produce similar
effects in terms of heart rate and breathing.
This means that mixing Xanax® and alcohol can lead
to increasing the effect of each substance significantly. In most cases,
the cumulative effect is far from pleasant. For someone who is using Xanax®
as a way to deal with panic attacks, adding alcohol to the
mix will mean that while the individual does become less agitated, the
effect goes beyond merely settling jangled nerves. As a result,
the individual finds it hard to focus and is sometimes rendered incommunicative.
Other Xanax® side effects can also be intensified when alcohol is
consumed. In fact, the effect may be the opposite of what is experienced
when taking alprazolam and refraining from alcohol consumption. Rather
than easing a mild panic attack, the introduction of alcohol may
trigger a more intensive attack that requires a trip to a hospital emergency
room. In like manner, people who tend to become irritable when taking
alprazolam may find that every little thing going on around them causes
unreasonable responses of anger that are almost impossible to control.
In more severe situations, the combination of Xanax® and alcohol may
increase the sedative qualities to a level that is not only
undesirable, but also life threatening. Depending on the amount
consumed of each substance, the heart rate can be lowered to a dangerous
level. At the same time, involuntary breathing functions can be seriously
impaired. If the individual does not receive medical treatment immediately,
there is a very good chance that death will ensue.
Regardless of the dosage and type of Xanax® that is used, alcohol should
be avoided as long as the patient is taking the drug on even the most
casual basis. This is as true with Xanax® XR as with standard
alprazolam medication. Even with the smallest amount of medication
and a small drink, theside effects of Xanax® are magnified and can
result in a great deal of emotional and physical turmoil.
Along with avoiding a mix of Xanax® and alcohol, anyone
using alprazolam would do well to avoid consuming any product containing
grapefruit juice. The components of the juice can have an extremely
negative effect on the function of the drug, which may result in the
need to seek emergency medical care.
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