Can you Overdose on Xanax?
Like many mind-altering substances, you can overdose on prescription medications such as Xanax. In fact, Xanax has been linked to a significant amount of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. According to a review by the American Association of Poison Control Centers National Data Collection System, alprazolam, or Xanax, was involved in nearly 34 fatal self-poisonings over a ten-year span between 1992-2001. Xanax, which also goes by its generic name alprazolam, is a prescription benzodiazepine used to treat symptoms of anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
Xanax is a newer generation of benzos and is more toxic in an overdose compared to other benzos medications. It has also been found to be more frequently used with other types of medications in the event of an overdose. Xanax is a central nervous system depressant. It works by affecting the activity of the GABA neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA chemicals help calm a person down by inducing feelings of relaxation and leading to reduced anxiety, sedation, and muscle relaxation. The prescription medication is primarily used to treat acute generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia and alleviate symptoms of depression and premenstrual disorders.
Xanax Dosage
A typical Xanax dosage can range anywhere from 0.25mg to 0.5mg per day. This amount is usually split between two to three doses throughout the entire day. Going over the recommended dose of your Xanax prescription can put you at risk for toxicity and overdose. However, a toxic level or lethal dose of the drug will depend on each individual user and how their body metabolizes medication, their age, height and weight, the presence of preexisting medical conditions and if they are taking other substances. A person would have to take thousands of times over the maximum prescribed dose to cause a fatal overdose.
When prescribing medication, medical providers aim to prescribe the lowest, yet most effective dose for the shortest amount of time in order to safely manage the risk of dependence and addiction to the drug. Taking more than the recommended dosage puts a user at a higher risk of developing a dependence on the drug as well as overdosing on the drug.
What causes an Overdose on Xanax?
Overdose on a substance can happen accidentally or intentionally. In situations where you may have forgotten that you already took a dose of Xanax and you take another dose, you can accidentally overdose on the drug. In situations where you purposefully take more than the recommended dose in an attempt to achieve stronger effects, you are intentionally overdosing. A Xanax overdose can also happen when you take the medication in addition to other substances such as benzos, alcohol or opioids.
Overdose on Xanax is dependent on each individual user. Important factors that can affect overdose include age, weight, drug tolerance, existing health conditions and history of drug use.
Mixing Xanax with other substances such as other central nervous system depressants is one of the most common reasons for a drug overdose. The most severe or fatally linked overdose can occur when Xanax is taken with alcohol or opioid pain medications. Overdosing on Xanax alone will yield mild symptoms. It becomes more severe when Xanax is used in conjunction with other substances and central nervous system depressants.
When mixing Xanax with opioids, the combination of the two medications can slow down respiratory functions to a point where the person can stop breathing altogether. This is because both substances act on the GABA receptors in the brain that control functions such as breathing. When taken together, it could cause severe sedation and respiratory depression. When mixed with alcohol, another depressant substance, the combination could cause life-threatening effects.
Another reason why some users are overdosing on Xanax is due to using illicitly made and obtained versions of the prescription medication. There is a rise in the popularity of fake “designer” benzos (DBZDs) being sold and consumed on the black market. One of the most popular brands is called Bromazolam. This substance is also known as fake Xanax, novel benzos, non-FDA benzos or dope. It is one of many different unapproved “designer” benzos currently on the market. There is little to no regulation on this substance, so users risk ingesting unknown substances in unknown amounts. This can lead to dangerous and deadly side effects including overdose.
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Symptoms of Xanax Overdose
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Poor and impaired coordination
- Confusion
- Respiratory depression and difficulty breathing and hypoventilation
- Low blood pressure
- Ataxia
- Reduced muscle tone, uncontrolled muscle movements and reduced reflexes
- Chest pain and cardiac arrest
- Seizures and tremors
- Hallucinations
- Coma
What do you do if you or someone you know is experiencing an overdose?
- Go to the ER immediately to get treated by a medical provider. They may give you activated charcoal to help absorb the medication and help alleviate symptoms. They can also pump your stomach to remove any of the remaining medication. They can give you a flumazenil injection, which is a benzo antagonist injectable drug that helps to reverse the effects of benzos by blocking the benzo receptors in the body.
- Contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
- Share all necessary information with emergency medical personnel. It is important to provide information such as signs and symptoms of the overdose, the dose taken, other medication that have also been taken, the last dose of Xanax and history of previous overdose to the medical team.
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Can you overdose on Xanax? The answer is yes. However, overdosing on Xanax is much more likely to occur if Xanax is combined with other central nervous system depressants like benzos, opioids or alcohol. Signs that a person might be abusing Xanax which could potentially lead to an overdose include slurred speech, mental confusion, difficulty staying awake, difficulty with balance and coordination, having difficulty remembering things, experiencing mood swings and acting out of character.
When it comes to overdose deaths, about 25% of those cases in the U.S. involved the prescription medication Xanax. Xanax produces a high risk of both psychological and physical addiction resulting in serious consequences. For this reason, it is important to follow the appropriate dosage recommended by the medical provider when taking this medication. Taking large doses of Xanax doesn’t fully cause an overdose unless it is taken with other central nervous system depressants. For those who have developed a tolerance and addiction to Xanax, professional treatment at a behavioral health program such as Hotel California by the Sea provides help for people in all stages of their addiction.
We offer medical detox, inpatient residential programming, partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. We also utilize evidence-based treatment methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and marriage and family therapy. At Hotel California by the Sea, we believe in treating all aspects of addiction including the physical, emotional and psychological parts. We are dedicated to helping our clients rebuild and overcome their substance addiction.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/can-you-overdose-on-xanax
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326551
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884537
https://zinniahealth.com/substance-use/xanax/overdose
https://nypost.com/2024/01/11/lifestyle/designer-xanax-behind-rising-overdose-deaths-cdc-report
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/xanax-overdose