What is this "Xanax" I keep hearing about?

[Imdanny]

At the end of long, complicated threads, I keep reading things like I'll have a mojito and a xanax!

What is this xanax??

Do you recommend it? Or will it just put me sleep?

Thanks in advance.

 

[y2kitty]

Xanax is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorder.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

It's also very addictive, so they don't just hand 'em out like candy!

 

[kenny]

My Dr. Rx that once for me years ago.
I tried it and it did nothing.

 

[Kaleigh]

My BFF from high school took an overdose and nearly died 3 years ago after going through a horrible divorce and losing her Mom...

I sat with her in the ICU for days while she was in a coma.

I am sure it has it's place for those that take it as prescribed.

 

[AprilBaby]

Taking a mojito and a xanax together is not really the best idea, it's really only a joke. Probably not really the funniest joke either if you think about it but no offense taken by me as I take xanax for panic attack as needed.

 

[Imdanny]

I'm sorry about your friend, Kaleigh.

 

[Kaleigh]

I'm sorry about your friend, Kaleigh.

Thanks. She made it, and is doing ok. But has some brain damage. I tell you it was one of the worst things I have been through, and have seen a lot in my life.

I know this drug helps many. I am in no way dissing it.. Just to be clear before the attacks come at me... Ok that was a joke, things are so tense these days.. Maybe I should have one and chill!! JK.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

The abuse of benzos is REAL problem in this day and age. Xanax is *very* addictive and should never be mixed with alcohol in real life. It seems to be the most known anxiety drug so is often joked about but it is not the most common.

Kaleigh, I am so sorry to hear about your friend.

 

[AprilBaby]

No offense taken at the joke at all! Just explaining in case someone gets unhinged like things have been going lately! Wanna join my new clique?

 

[lyra]

I know this drug helps many. I am in no way dissing it.. Just to be clear before the attacks come at me... Ok that was a joke, things are so tense these days.. Maybe I should have one and chill!! JK.

If that day ever came, I would personally take people doowwwwnnn! For your honour Kaleigh. If PS has a true heart, you are surely it.

 

[Kaleigh]

I know this drug helps many. I am in no way dissing it.. Just to be clear before the attacks come at me... Ok that was a joke, things are so tense these days.. Maybe I should have one and chill!! JK.

If that day ever came, I would personally take people doowwwwnnn! For your honour Kaleigh. If PS has a true heart, you are surely it.

Awww, that's so sweet. You are a dear one..

April... You and me baby!!! Let's start our own cool clique!!!! We are older and wiser right???

 

[gemgirl]

Xanax is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorder.

I was given the smallest dose to help with PTSD from recurrent abuse. I never took it every day. I just took it when I felt I needed it and only a quarter of a tablet. (I'm very sensitive to meds). It's helpful when someone needs it but just like any other medication, it shouldn't be abused or used for recreational purposes. I found that it helped me to be able to speak in public too, but then I read that some actors and actresses take it for stage fright, so then it made sense why it worked for me.

 

[Arkteia]

! ) It is a sedative-hypnotic and most often prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder but there are other indications, such as sleep disorders, phobias (especially fear of flights). It has some mood-stabilizing effect. It is used for seizures.

2) Of all benzodiazepines, Xanax (alprazolam) is probably the most addictive. First, it is very short-acting and effect wears off pretty rapidly so you end up looking for more. Second, it may have some agitating effect ("high"). In general, the longer the action of benzos, the less addictive they are. Clonazepam, for example is less addictive then Xanax because it lasts longer in the body.

3) Some people have paradoxic effect to benzodiazepines - instead of feeling relaxed, one may feel extremely agitated and anxious.

4) Keep in mind that there are some groups of meds that should not be combined with benzos - they include all opiates (painkillers), tricyclic antidepressants (an old group, but amitryptilline is often prescribed for headaches), barbiturates (phenobarbital), MAOI inhibitors. I often see patients who are prescribed Xanax by one doctor and Vicodin by another. This combination may be deadly, especially if the doses of both meds are high (it paralyses breathing). Benzos absolutely can not be mixed with alcohol. You also can not stop benzos cold turkey (seizures).

This being said, if your doctor feels you should be on benzodiazepines, he may have a reason to recommend them. I would consider a longer-acting one, though.

 

[Imdanny]

4) Keep in mind that there are some groups of meds that should not be combined with benzos - they include all opiates (painkillers)

Thank you. Could you please explain this connection a little more? Why benzos should not be combined with opiates?

 

[Imdanny]

One more question- "MAOI inhibitors"- what are those?

 

[Sabine]

danny these are probably questions you should be asking a dr....

MAOI stands for mono-amine oxidease inhibitors, and it's an anti depressant.

 

[Imdanny]

danny these are probably questions you should be asking a dr....

I don't need to ask a doctor, actually. That would be a pretty weird conversation.

I don't have chronic pain. I don't have anxiety to the point where I would want to take medication.

I'm just curious about this since it's come up many times.

 

[Imdanny]

MAOI stands for mono-amine oxidease inhibitors, and it's an anti depressant.

Thanks for answering my question.

 

[LGK]

4) Keep in mind that there are some groups of meds that should not be combined with benzos - they include all opiates (painkillers)

Thank you. Could you please explain this connection a little more? Why benzos should not be combined with opiates?

Opiates and benzodiazepines- and alcohol, for that matter- are central nervous system depressants. Like, slows your breathing (among other effects)- opiates especially effect breathing like that. (And lowers blood pressure, pulse etc.) Mixing two or more depressants can make you stop breathing. Ever seen someone near-O.D. on heroin? They can actually forget to breathe. Scary.

 

[Arkteia]

4) Keep in mind that there are some groups of meds that should not be combined with benzos - they include all opiates (painkillers)

Thank you. Could you please explain this connection a little more? Why benzos should not be combined with opiates?

They relax body muscles and supress respiratory drive. Benzodiazepines and opiates are actually part of anesthesia. Why doctors sometimes forget it when prescribing Vicodin and Xanax is beyond my comprehension.

There are many ways to deal with anxiety before you are started on a benzodiazepine, but in general, it should be OK. Benzos, though, treat the symptoms and not the cause. I have seen many people being able to get off benzodiazepines once the cause of anxiety was effectively treated, but very few got off Xanax.

MAOI are old antidepressants and I mention them only because they have made a comeback in the form of a patch (EMSAM).

 

[Imdanny]

Click. That's the answer I needed to hear. They're both part of anesthetics. Many thanks.

 

[loriken214]

What is the deal with Xanax "bars" that seem to be really popular right now? How are they obtained?

I've been taking a low dose of Xanax for years and take it 4 times a day. It helps with my anxiety, severe depression and low level OCD. I also take Prozac and Topamax with the Xanax and am under a Physician's care for these medications. If I didn't have some kind of "mood medicines," I would lose my mind.

SLE Lupus has done a number on my mind and body.

Lori

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Lori, they are long, rectangle, white pills. Here is a photo. http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php?action=search&drugname=xanax they are popular b/c they are 2 mg.

 

[Imdanny]

Ever seen someone near-O.D. on heroin?

No.

I've never even seen heroin. If I've seen anyone on heroin, I didn't know it.

I did know some people who had done heroin in the past, and had done it for years.

Their bodies were total wrecks.

 

[Imdanny]

Click. That's the answer I needed to hear. They're both part of anesthetics. Many thanks.

Of course I meant anesthesia.

 

[loriken214]

Lori, they are long, rectangle, white pills. Here is a photo. http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php?action=search&drugname=xanax they are popular b/c they are 2 mg.

Thank you Tacori!

A dear friend of mine lost her nephew to the abuse of Xanax bars. While high, he got out of a car and jumped over an overpass...fell 18 feet and landed on his feet....he died instantly. Jeremy was only 23.

Lori

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Lori, I am so sorry for your friend. I hope she is getting the help she needs through counseling and a 12 step support program. Addiction is a tragic disease and the "users" are not the only victims. Was he combining the xanax with anything else?

 

[loriken214]

Jeremy was the son of a former heroin addict and addiction was on both sides of his family. He was abusing other drugs, but I don't know what they were. The entire family has had substance abuse issues.

Lori

 

[Arkteia]

I am sorry to hear about it, Loriken. One hears so many stories these days... it is a tragedy. Young people, too...