“Start low and go slow with increases is a good mantra to follow for anyone,” he says. This advice is especially important for older individuals who may be at a higher risk for impaired cognition and mobility as well as an increased risk of falls when taking a benzodiazepine. If you need help remembering to take your dose of Xanax on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
More On Alprazolam (Xanax) Interactions
Misuse is the intentional use, for therapeutic purposes, of a drug by an individual in a way other than prescribed by a health care provider or for whom it was not prescribed. Even taking benzodiazepines as prescribed may put patients at risk for abuse and misuse of their medication. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines may lead to addiction. Published data from observational studies on the use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy do not report a clear association with benzodiazepines and major birth defects.
Alprazolam (oral Route)
Another drug used for this purpose is Valium (diazepam), which is a benzodiazepine like Xanax. Find out more about the similarities and differences between these drugs in this Valium vs. Xanax comparison. Xanax is taken by mouth and absorbed quickly by the bloodstream. Research suggests you may feel the effects of xanax in as little as 30 minutes.
