How long does Xanax last?

Creator: SingleCare
Published: 2020-02-21T13:00:47-05:00

Xanax has a half-life of 11 hours. Learn how long you will feel the effects and how long Xanax lasts on the shelf.

By SingleCare Team | Updated on Jan. 20, 2023 Medically reviewed by Gerardo Sison, Pharm.D.

If anxiety is starting to affect your work and relationships or even leading to panic attacks, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication. Xanax is commonly prescribed to treat generalized anxiety and panic disorders, and it’s often used along with psychotherapy.

However, it’s not the be-all and end-all of treatment. Xanax is an effective medication but is only used short-term due to the potential for addiction and dependence on the drug. For this reason, Xanax is classified as a controlled substance.

Before taking any drug—let alone a controlled substance—it’s essential to learn about its effects and how long they’ll last. Here, we explain what Xanax should and should not feel like, how long Xanax lasts, and how to take it responsibly.

What does Xanax feel like?

Xanax is the brand name of a generic medication called alprazolam. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, or benzos for short. Other benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam). Benzodiazepines slow down activity in the central nervous system (CNS).

Xanax doesn’t cause the traditional “high” that some illicit drugs do. Instead, it causes a calming effect that can help relieve symptoms in people with depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. Xanax can cause a multitude of other effects, including a feeling of relaxation, drowsiness, or even euphoria.

Xanax is the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medication in the U.S. It works for many people, but it can also become habit-forming and has numerous side effects.

Xanax side effects

Here’s a list of some of the most common side effects of Xanax:

Tiredness
Weakness
Lightheadedness
Clumsiness
Forgetfulness
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Upset stomach
Blurred vision
Memory problems
Changes in sex drive
Constipation
Slurred speech

Xanax may cause serious side effects that require medical attention. Seek medical advice immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, seizures, or feelings of hostility. Although rare, some people have allergic reactions to Xanax that can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or severe hives, which may require immediate medical help.

Mixing Xanax and alcohol use can cause dangerous side effects. For example, alcohol can amplify the sedative effects of Xanax, leading to severe drowsiness. Drinking alcohol while taking Xanax may also lead to side effects such as impaired coordination and confusion. In addition, the combination of alcohol and Xanax can lead to unconsciousness, coma, or even death, especially in large amounts or high doses.

Do not take Xanax while pregnant, as it can cause fetal abnormalities. Xanax also passes through breast milk, which can affect small infants. Breastfeeding women should avoid Xanax —using Xanax while pregnant or breastfeeding could lead to sedation or withdrawal symptoms in an unborn baby or breastfeeding child.

RELATED: Is it safe to mix Xanax with coffee?

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How long does it take Xanax to kick in?

Xanax works quickly in comparison to other psychotropics. It’s quickly absorbed into the blood with effects that can be felt within 30 minutes to an hour. Xanax reaches peak concentrations in the blood one to two hours after being taken.

How long does Xanax last?

Although it starts working quickly, the effects of Xanax wear off in about six hours. Therefore, it’s typically taken multiple times per day. The standard dosage of Xanax for adults with anxiety disorders is 0.25 to 0.5 mg three times per day, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In comparison, the standard dosage of Xanax for adults with panic disorder is 0.5 mg, taken three times per day. However, the dosage of Xanax can vary and tends to be higher for panic disorders. The lowest effective dose should be used when starting treatment. If the desired effect hasn’t been achieved, the dosage may be slowly increased with the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Xanax XR is an extended-release version of Xanax that is FDA-approved for treating panic disorder. Xanax and Xanax XR are essentially the same medication with similar side effects, and they work the same way to relieve symptoms of panic disorder. However, Xanax XR only needs to be taken once daily, with effects that last longer than those of regular Xanax.

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How long does Xanax stay in your system?

The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount in the body to be reduced by half. A drug with a shorter half-life needs to be taken multiple times per day, while a drug with a longer half-life can be taken fewer times per day. Even though a dose wears off relatively quickly, the average half-life of Xanax is about 11 hours. On the other hand, the half-life of Xanax XR after a single dose can be up to around 16 hours. Many factors can affect the Xanax half-life, including:

Age: Older people will metabolize Xanax more slowly than younger people. Therefore, it may take longer for an older person to clear Xanax from the body than a younger person.
Race: Studies show that the half-life of Xanax is 15% to 25% higher in Asians than in Caucasians.
Weight: Xanax will typically last longer in people who are overweight because the body has to work harder to process and clear the drug from the body.
Liver function: Xanax is metabolized in the liver. Therefore, liver problems like liver disease can affect the body’s ability to metabolize drugs like Xanax. People with liver problems may experience a longer half-life of Xanax than other people.
Dose: Higher doses of Xanax may be effective for a longer length of time, increasing its half-life in the body.
Expired medication: Xanax can expire after two to three years. Expired medicines may have a reduced half-life.
Drug-drug interactions: Taking Xanax with certain medications may lead to an interaction that can affect the efficacy or worsen the side effects of one drug or another.

Drug-drug interactions

Medicines that could potentially affect the half-life of Xanax include:

Nizoral (ketoconazole), an antifungal
Sporanox (itraconazole), an antifungal
Luvox (fluvoxamine), an SSRI used to treat OCD
Serzone (nefazodone), an antidepressant
Erythrocin (erythromycin), an antibiotic

This list of medications is not comprehensive. A healthcare professional can give you a complete list of drugs that may interact negatively with Xanax.

Xanax withdrawal symptoms

Xanax is not recommended as a solution for the long term due to the risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Stopping treatment with Xanax can be an uncomfortable experience because of withdrawal side effects. A healthcare provider may recommend gradually reducing the dosage of the drug to decrease the risk and severity of withdrawal effects. However, people who gradually reduce their dosage and stop taking Xanax may experience withdrawal effects.

Here’s a list of some of the most common withdrawal symptoms that could happen when a person stops taking Xanax:

Anxiety
Insomnia
Headaches
Blurred vision
Diarrhea
Muscle cramps
Trouble concentrating
Decreased appetite
Weight loss

The severity of withdrawal effects can vary. The best way to avoid experiencing Xanax withdrawal is to follow instructions given by a medical professional, which may involve slowly tapering off the medication. Quitting “cold turkey” may increase the risk of serious side effects, such as seizures and suicidal thoughts, which can start one to two days after the last dose.

Xanax misuse

Xanax has a relatively high potential for abuse compared to other prescription drugs. It is also associated with drug abuse involving other medications. People who use benzodiazepines and opioids are at a higher risk of emergency room and hospital visits due to drug misuse, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

People who develop an emotional and physical dependence on Xanax and can’t function without it may have what’s known as a substance use disorder.

Here are some physical and behavioral signs of a substance use disorder involving Xanax:

Impulsivity
Aggressiveness
Cognitive impairment
Strong cravings for Xanax
Isolation from friends and family
Combining Xanax with other drugs, like opiates or alcohol
Depression

Xanax addiction treatment

Xanax addiction treatment typically involves a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication, as well as detoxification under the supervision of a healthcare professional. After detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment programs are available. Inpatient treatment programs provide 24-hour care and support, while outpatient programs allow a person to continue living at home while receiving treatment.

If you use Xanax recreationally, are addicted to Xanax, or know someone who’s misusing it, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can be a helpful resource. Call the national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to speak to someone who can direct you to local treatment centers, support groups, and organizations that facilitate inpatient detox and psychotherapy.

Are there safer, non-habit-forming alternatives to Xanax?

Not all medications are as habit-forming as Xanax. “Safer options to treat anxiety disorders may include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Buspar (buspirone), and Vistaril (hydroxyzine),” says Lukasz Junger, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and assistant medical director at Mountainside Treatment Center.

These medications might take longer to start working but are a viable option for many individuals. Talking with your doctor or healthcare provider is the best way to learn more about Xanax and whether it’s the right medication for you. Other treatment options may be more suitable than Xanax in many cases.

How long does Xanax last on the shelf?

The shelf life of Xanax (alprazolam) is typically about two to three years. However, it’s worth noting that the shelf life of a medication can be affected by different factors, such as the storage conditions and the specific formulation of the medicine. For example, some drugs may be more sensitive to heat or light and have a shorter shelf life.

Xanax should remain potent and effective as long as the medication is stored around room temperature (20° to 25°C or 68° to 77°F). If you are concerned about the expiration date of your prescription medication, it’s always a good idea to check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider. They can provide more information on the shelf life of your medicine and help you determine if it is still safe to take.