Anxiety disorders can be treated with several types of medications: some antidepressants, anxiolytics (mainly benzodiazepines and buspirone) and other medications (pregabalin). In the case of severe anxiety, your doctor may prescribe Xanax as a treatment.
Although it can help treat anxiety and panic disorder, Xanax – like any other medication – has different side effects.
Learn about the different possible side effects of Xanax and other features of this medication below.
Known side effects of Xanax 0.25 mg
XANAX 0.25 mg tablets are likely to have side effects, although not everyone is susceptible to them.
They are related to the dose ingested and the individual sensitivity of the patient:
Neuropsychiatric adverse reactions
Among the neuropsychiatric adverse effects of Xanax, the patient may notice:
- Memory problems (memory lapses), which can occur at therapeutic doses, the risk increases in proportion to the dose.
- Behavioural disorders, changes in consciousness, irritability, aggressiveness and agitation
- Physical and psychological dependence, even at therapeutic doses, with withdrawal or rebound syndrome when the treatment is stopped.
- Feelings of drunkenness, headaches, difficulty in coordinating certain movements.
- Confusion, reduced alertness or even drowsiness (particularly in elderly people), insomnia, nightmares, tension.
- Changes in libido.
Cutaneous adverse effects
Cutaneous adverse Xanax effects are skin rashes, with or without itching.
General adverse effects
There are two major general adverse effects, which are muscular weakness and fatigue.
Ocular adverse reactions
As far as eyes are concerned, Xanax may cause double vision.
Hepatic side effects
Xanax may have hepatic side effects as well, they could be abnormalities of liver function (changes in certain biological tests related to liver damage)or jaundice.
Other undesirable side effects of Xanax
Xanax has other side effects that may include
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Decreased muscle tone with fatigue (clumsiness, unsteadiness)
- Memory loss (amnesia)
- Slurred speech
- Slowed thinking
- Decreased libido
- Nasal congestion
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Muscle cramps
- Difficulty urinating
- Stomach or abdominal pain or cramps
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting Increased salivation or dry mouth
- Increased thirst
- Tremors
- Skin rash with or without itching
- Blurred vision or other vision changes
Things to consider before taking Xanax
Before taking your Xanax medication, it is crucial to consider the following factors :
- Caution is required when driving and operating machinery.
- Very rarely, Xanax may cause an allergic reaction with itching, swelling (especially of the face, tongue and throat), severe dizziness and difficulty breathing.
If this is ever the case, talk to your doctor immediately. - Try to avoid this medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Interactions of Xanax 0.25 mg with other medicines
Taking Xanax with other medications may cause additional side effects. Before you take Xanax, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Use of Xanax 0.25 mg during pregnancy and breastfeeding
As mentioned before, it is recommended to avoid taking Xanax during breastfeeding and pregnancy. Except for the following cases :
Pregnancy
Xanax can be used during pregnancy only if your doctor has approved it. If you find out that you are pregnant during your Xanax treatment period, you’re going to need to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Needless to say, you should always ask for your doctor or pharmacist’s advice before taking any medication.
Breastfeeding
Xanax is transmitted to the baby through breast milk: therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended.
Effects of Xanax 0.25 mg on Driving and Use of Machinery
Xanas leads to drowsiness and decreased alertness .
If the duration of sleep is not sufficient, the risk of impairment of vigilance is further increased.
Contraindications of Xanax
According to the experts, Xanax should never be used in the following situations:
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any component of this medication,
- Severe respiratory insufficiency,
- Sleep apnea syndrome,
- Severe acute or chronic hepatic insufficiency (risk of encephalopathy)
- Myasthenia.
- Children under 18 years.
Conclusion
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This also applies to any side effects not mentioned in this article. We also recommend that you report any other side effects not mentioned in the article. By reporting other adverse reactions, you contribute to providing more information about the medicine’s safety .
