| Fiction: Xanax stays in your body for weeks and | | | | You will feel as though you are addicted if you try to |
| months.Fact: For a healthy adult, the average time | | | | discontinue taking Xanax abruptly. This is commonly |
| taken for Xanax to leave the system is 11.2 hours. For | | | | why people get so worried and frustrated about using |
| a healthy adult aged over 65, Xanax will take an | | | | this drug.The best way to discontinue use is to taper |
| average of 16.3 hours to leave the body.Fiction: You | | | | the dosage. This means reducing the dose by small |
| can get 'permanent brain damage' from using | | | | amounts on a regular basis, to help the body adjust |
| Xanax.Fact: There is no evidence to show that Xanax | | | | accordingly and to reduce intake to zero. Tapering is |
| causes any type of brain damage. However, research | | | | an extremely effective method; it is recommended |
| shows that there are some serious side effects, | | | | that Xanax dosage be decreased by no more than |
| although they are quite rare. Here is a list of such: | | | | 0.5 mg every three days.Fiction: Xanax will make you |
| seizures (particularly if dosage is discontinued abruptly) | | | | fat / Xanax will make you skinny.You will not become |
| allergic reactions, including rash and anaphylaxis (a | | | | "fat" or "skinny" from using Xanax. However, research |
| sudden, severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic | | | | has shown that Xanax does indeed increase food |
| reaction that can involve various areas of the body) | | | | intake in humans.Fact: For women Xanax use |
| blood disorders, including leucopenia and leucocytosis | | | | significantly increases food intake premenstrually |
| jaundice | | | | compared to postmenstrually (particularly fatty foods). |
| difficulty concentrating | | | | The study demonstrated how normally restrained |
| slurred or unusual speech | | | | eaters consumed 26% more calories premenstrually, |
| double vision | | | | whereas unrestrained eaters consumed 9% more |
| fear or anxiety | | | | calories.Fiction: You will have no sex life whilst using |
| altered sense of taste | | | | XanaxFact: Yes, it is true that Alprazolam can cause |
| lack of inhibition | | | | a loss of sexual desire and function. This does not |
| muscle cramps or spasms | | | | mean however that you will have no sex life. It simply |
| urination problems | | | | means that you will have to talk to your doctor about |
| tingling | | | | what strategies are available to compensate for the |
| incontinence | | | | Alprazolam's effects. Some evidence suggests use of |
| warmth | | | | Viagra to counter the negative sexual side |
| weakness | | | | effects.Uncommon but documented cases include: |
| change in muscle tone | | | | inhibited female orgasm (using 5 mg/day); impaired |
| yellow eyes and skin | | | | ejaculation (using 3.5 mg/day), decreased libido, |
| hyperexcitement or overstimulation | | | | impaired erection (using 4.5 mg/day); altered timing and |
| hallucinations | | | | pattern of menstruation (using 0.75 to 4 mg/day.)Fiction: |
| rage or other hostile behavior | | | | Xanax can be used as a 'party drug'.Fact: You are |
| transient elevated liver function tests | | | | putting yourself at great risk if you misuse this |
| tremors | | | | medication. It is well known that overdoses of |
| insomnia or sleeping difficulties | | | | Alprazolam can cause unconsciousness, coma and |
| Fiction: Once you get 'hooked' on Xanax it's really | | | | death.Combine this with the fact that alcohol increases |
| hard to stop.Fact: Because Xanax has a fast | | | | the drowsiness and dizziness associated with Xanax, |
| elimination rate from the body (compared with other | | | | and you will quickly realise that this is not a drug to be |
| drugs of its type), rebound and withdrawal symptoms | | | | abused at parties or for recreation. People die |
| are more prominent after discontinuation.The risk of | | | | needlessly because of accidents involving alcohol and |
| dependence or addiction is increased when: | | | | Xanax overdose.Although this article ends on a |
| You've been taking more than 4 mg a day; | | | | decidedly solemn (but necessary) note, I hope it has |
| You've been taking Xanax for a long period of time; | | | | been of genuine help to you! is an online alprazolam |
| You have a history of drug or alcohol abuse | | | | information resource. |