What is Xanax: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Xanax

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• Read the medication guide, particularly the section titled, “What is the most important information I should know about XANAX.”

• Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets.

• Store Xanax in a closed container at room temperature out of the reach of children.

What to do if you miss a dose of Xanax

• Take the missed dose when remembered. However, if it is nearly time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. 

• Never take extra medicine or a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Xanax contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to alprazolam or similar drugs called benzodiazepines.

Xanax warnings

• Tell any healthcare provider or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• Your healthcare provider will need to visit you regularly to assess your progress. Keep all appointments.

• Take the prescribed dose. Taking too much Ativan can cause extreme dizziness, weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin.

• Xanax can cause physical dependency and become a drug habit. Abuse of this drug can result in overdose and death. Do not use more than your prescribed dose or take Xanax for longer than prescribed. Call your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working.

• Alprazolam may not be safe to take for long periods. Long-term use can lead to physical dependency and result in protracted withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.

• This medicine can cause withdrawal symptoms that could last for months. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your healthcare provider will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you have:

  • Kidney disease

  • Liver disease

  • Lung disease

  • Breathing problems

  • A history of seizures

  • A history of mental health issues such as depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors

  • A history of drug or alcohol abuse

• This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant.

• Tell the healthcare provider if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Alprazolam can make a nursing infant sleepy or less willing to feed.

• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. 

• Xanax is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is dangerous and against the law.

• Because of the risk of overdose, death, or misuse, keep Xanax tablets securely out of the reach of children.

Xanax interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking diazepam.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• DO NOT take Xanax if you are also using the antifungal drugs ketoconazole or itraconazole.

• Taking Xanax along with narcotic pain relievers (opioids) can cause serious problems, including slowed breathing, coma, and death.

• Xanax is a sedative, so combining Xanax with other drugs that slow down the nervous system can cause excessive sedation, severe impairment, and even compromised breathing. Drugs to avoid include other benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, antihistamines, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and alcohol. 

• Do not drink alcohol when taking Xanax.

• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice when taking Xanax.

• Tell the prescribing healthcare provider if you are using any of the following medicines:

  • Mental health medications such as SSRIs

  • Seizure medications

  • Antifungal drugs called azoles

  • Birth control pills

  • Macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin or erythromycin

  • Nefazodone, fluvoxamine, cimetidine, digoxin

Find more detailed information about alprazolam interactions to avoid here.