{"id":4449,"date":"2023-08-02T11:56:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T11:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=4449"},"modified":"2025-02-07T12:37:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T12:37:45","slug":"xanax-overdose","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/xanax\/xanax-overdose\/","title":{"rendered":"Xanax Overdose"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Xanax overdose is often mild, but when Xanax is mixed with substances like alcohol or opiates, it can cause breathing problems and even fatal overdoses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"\/drugs\/xanax\/addiction\/\">Xanax<\/a>&nbsp;is a prescription medication that belongs to the benzodiazepine&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/benzodiazepines_and_the_alternatives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">class<\/a>&nbsp;of drugs. It may be referred to by its generic name, alprazolam. Doctors typically prescribe Xanax and other benzodiazepines to treat anxiety, panic and sleep problems, but people occasionally take this medication to treat spasms, tremors, seizures and substance withdrawal. While Xanax is a prescription medication, physical dependence is common with ongoing use, meaning that the body adapts to the drug and will undergo withdrawal when a person stops taking it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Given that&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/benzodiazepines\/\">benzodiazepines<\/a>&nbsp;like Xanax have a relaxing effect and can lead to physical dependence, some people may misuse this drug. In fact, according to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/newsroom\/news-releases\/study-finds-increasing-use-and-misuse-of-benzodiazepines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Psychiatric Association<\/a>, 13% of adults in the U.S. used benzodiazepines in the past year as of 2018, with 17% of those people misusing them. This misuse can include using a prescription differently than intended, such as by taking larger doses than prescribed, or by taking a benzodiazepine like Xanax without a prescription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">When someone takes more Xanax than prescribed \u2060\u2014 or uses it without a prescription \u2060\u2014 they are putting themselves at risk of an overdose, especially when Xanax is combined with other medications or substances like&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/opioids\/addiction\/\">opioids<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"\/alcohol\/addiction\/\">alcohol<\/a>.&nbsp; It can be dangerous to mix Xanax with other substances, but people sometimes desire to amplify the effects of Xanax and will use it with alcohol or opiates despite the risks. Xanax alone can sometimes lead to overdose, but a person is more likely to overdose when combining Xanax with alcohol or other drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Related Topic:&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/cocaine\/dangers-mixing-xanax-coke\/\">Xanax and Alcohol<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Signs of Xanax Overdose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">An overdose occurs when someone takes more Xanax than prescribed and their body has an adverse reaction. This reaction may be mild, severe or even fatal, but&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/benzodiazepines_and_the_alternatives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">experts<\/a>&nbsp;report that fatal overdoses from Xanax alone are not common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mild Xanax overdose symptoms may&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482238\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">include:<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Slurred Speech<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Lack of Coordination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Confusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>More severe signs of Xanax overdose may&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482238\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">include:<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Trouble breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Respiratory arrest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Chest pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Irregular heart rhythm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Hallucinations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Seizures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Coma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Death<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Xanax Overdose Statistics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnchs%2Fdata%2Fnvsr%2Fnvsr67%2Fnvsr67_09-508.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">According to the CDC<\/a>, Xanax contributed to 6,209 overdose deaths in 2016. Approximately&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnchs%2Fdata%2Fnvsr%2Fnvsr67%2Fnvsr67_09-508.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">96.2%<\/a>&nbsp;of those overdoses involved other substances, including&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/hydrocodone\/addiction\/\">hydrocodone<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/methadone\/addiction\/\">methadone<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/heroin\/\">heroin<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/fentanyl\/addiction\/\">fentanyl<\/a>. Xanax was also the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnchs%2Fdata%2Fnvsr%2Fnvsr67%2Fnvsr67_09-508.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fifth-leading cause<\/a>&nbsp;of drug overdoses that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">While Xanax overdose is relatively prevalent, prescribing benzodiazepine drugs like Xanax is becoming more common. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6484578\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">data<\/a>&nbsp;show that in 2015, 7.4% of outpatient medical visits involved a benzodiazepine prescription, up from 3.8% in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Causes of Xanax Overdose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The amount of Xanax required to overdose depends on a variety of different factors. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">The presence of other substances, such as opioids or alcohol<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Age (people over the age of 65 are at an increased risk for overdose)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Current weight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">The body\u2019s individual ability to process medication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Genetics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Heart, kidney or liver conditions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/can-you-overdose-on-xanax#prescribed-dosage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">average dose<\/a>&nbsp;doctors prescribe is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg taken three times per day, but higher or lower amounts may also be prescribed. Taking more than the prescribed amount or taking non-prescribed Xanax can lead to an overdose \u2014 one person\u2019s prescribed dose could be too high for another person, causing an overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Substance Interactions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">While taking more Xanax than prescribed can lead to an overdose, it is also possible to overdose on a prescribed dose when Xanax is combined with other substances, particularly&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482238\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">alcohol<\/a>&nbsp;and opiates like heroin or prescription painkillers. When people combine Xanax and alcohol, they are at risk for suppressed breathing, which can require a ventilator to restore normal breathing. Those who overdose on a combination of alcohol and Xanax may appear to be in a stupor. The combination of alcohol and Xanax creates this effect, because both substances slow the activity of the nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The same effects occur when combining Xanax with opioids. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/drugs-abuse\/opioids\/benzodiazepines-opioids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Institute on Drug Abuse reports<\/a>&nbsp;that over 30% of opioid overdoses involve benzodiazepines like Xanax.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26977696\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In 2016<\/a>, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even issued new guidelines suggesting that doctors no longer prescribe opioids and benzodiazepines at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pfizermedicalinformation.com\/en-us\/patient\/xanax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Other substances<\/a>&nbsp;beyond alcohol and opioids can lead to an overdose when combined with Xanax. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Any type of sedative that affects the central nervous system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Antifungal medication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Muscle relaxers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Certain medications prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder and heartburn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Certain antidepressants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Tolerance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">When someone uses Xanax for a while, they may not feel the effects as quickly as when they first started taking it. This is known as tolerance. If someone has developed a Xanax tolerance, it\u2019s easier to unintentionally overdose because the effects of Xanax don\u2019t occur right away or may seem milder than they actually are. This can cause someone to take larger and larger doses, which can be dangerous.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1884537\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Research<\/a>&nbsp;shows that while benzodiazepine overdoses are usually mild, Xanax is more toxic than other drugs in this class. People who overdose on Xanax are more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit and require treatment with a ventilator. This means that if a person develops a tolerance and takes higher and higher Xanax doses, overdose and related complications can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Xanax Overdose Complications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The effects of a Xanax overdose vary from person to person. Some people may experience mild symptoms, such as confusion, slurred speech, and trouble with coordination. For others, a Xanax overdose can lead to coma and even death. As noted previously, some overdoses may lead to breathing difficulties that require a ventilator in a hospital setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The best way to prevent complications from occurring is to seek emergency medical treatment immediately, even if only mild symptoms are present. When someone seeks prompt treatment, the chances of a full recovery are much higher. There are fewer long-term effects when early treatment is given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Xanax Overdose Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">If you suspect that someone has overdosed on Xanax, it\u2019s important to seek medical attention immediately. Paramedics and emergency room staff know how to counteract a Xanax overdose and can help improve the chances of recovery. If a person takes an ambulance, he or she may receive a dose of activated charcoal to help absorb some of the drugs in their system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">At the hospital, overdose treatment may consist of pumping the stomach or using medication to counteract the effects of Xanax. Patients may receive IV fluids to help with rehydration, and they may stay in the hospital for a few days for observation. Some patients may need to be treated with a ventilator for breathing difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">After undergoing treatment for an overdose, the next step in recovery is to seek&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/xanax\/treatment-rehab\/\">further treatment<\/a>&nbsp;at a drug rehabilitation program. If you or someone you love is struggling with a Xanax addiction, The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health can help.&nbsp;<a href=\"\/contact-us\/\">Contact us<\/a>&nbsp;today to learn more about our peaceful South Florida treatment facility and find an&nbsp;<a href=\"\/treatment\/\">individualized program<\/a>&nbsp;that works well for your situation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Xanax overdose is often mild, but when Xanax is mixed with substances like alcohol or opiates, it can cause breathing problems and even fatal overdoses. Xanax&nbsp;is a prescription medication that belongs to the benzodiazepine&nbsp;class&nbsp;of drugs. It may be referred to by its generic name, alprazolam. Doctors typically prescribe Xanax and other benzodiazepines to treat anxiety, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":14734,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4449","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"written_by":176,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":293,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"<i>Last Updated<\/i> - <b>12\/29\/22<\/b>","page_first_published_date":null,"page_last_edit_date":null,"highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:8886480738\"><b>888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"Harvard Medical School. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/benzodiazepines_and_the_alternatives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Benzodiazepines (and the alternatives).<\/a>\u201d March 15, 2019. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nAmerican Psychiatric Association. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/newsroom\/news-releases\/study-finds-increasing-use-and-misuse-of-benzodiazepines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Study Finds Increasing Use, and Misuse, of Benzodiazepines.<\/a>\u201d December 17, 2018. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nMichael Kang et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482238\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Benzodiazepine toxicity.<\/a>\u201d National Center for Biotechnology Information, April 23, 2020. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nCafasso, Jacquelyn. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/can-you-overdose-on-xanax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Can You Overdose On Xanax?<\/a>\u201d Healthline, February 20, 2018. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nNational Institute on Drug Abuse. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/drugs-abuse\/opioids\/benzodiazepines-opioids#Reference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Benzodiazepines and Opioids<\/a>.\u201d March 2018. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nDowell, D., Haegerich, T.M., Chou, R. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26977696\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain \u2014 United States, 2016<\/a>.\u201d Journal of the American Medical Association, April 2016. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nPfizer Medical Information. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pfizermedicalinformation.com\/en-us\/patient\/xanax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">XANAX\u00ae (Alprazolam) Tablets, CIV<\/a>.\u201d Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nGeoffrey K. Isbister et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1884537\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alprazolam is relatively more toxic than other benzodiazepines in overdose.<\/a>\u201d British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, July 2004. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nHedegaard, Holly; et. al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/data\/nvsr\/nvsr67\/nvsr67_09-508.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drugs Most Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths: United States, 2011\u20132016<\/a>.\u201d National Vital Statistics Report, December 12, 2018. Accessed June 24, 2020.\r\n\r\nSumit Agarwal and Bruce Landon. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6484578\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patterns in Outpatient Benzodiazepine Prescribing in the United States.<\/a>\u201d JAMA Network Open, January 2019. Accessed June 24, 2020."},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":176},{"staff_member_title":"Medically Reviewed By","select_staff_member":293}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4449"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4449\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/14734"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/293"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}