Interactions With The Xanax Drug
Drug interactions are a potential occurrence if you are combining Xanax with sleep medications, antidepressants or alcohol. Taking Xanax with other medications will place you at a higher chance of side effects and will also increase Xanex levels in your blood. Talk to your healthcare provider about these issues to reduce any chance of developing side effects.
Xanax Drug Interactions Overview
Xanax interactions are possible if you combine Xanax (Alprazolam) with other drugs. Some of the interacting medications include:
- Alcohol
- Antipsychotic medications
- Antidepressants
- Barbiturates
- Antifungal treatment and some antibiotics
- Grapefruit juice
- Birth control pills
- Opiate or narcotics
- Other bendodiazepines
- Sleep medications
- Medications for seizures
Explaining Xanax Interactions
If you take Xanax with any medications listed above, negative interactions can occur. The following section will expand on these interactions and the affects they can have on your body.
Alcohol.
The combination of Xanax and alcohol can dramatically increase the risks of realizing side effects including memory loss, confusion, difficulty breathing, and drowsiness. If prescribed Xanax, you should avoid alcohol, as serious side effects are a possibility.
Antidepressants.
When you combine
antidepressant medications with Xanax, it will increase the chance of side effects. Memory loss, confusion, drowsiness and breathing difficulties, are just a few of the symptoms you can suffer from. As with alcohol, the presence of antidepressants raises Xanax levels in the blood stream, increasing the risk of potential side effects.
Antipsychotic Medications.
Again, drowsiness, memory loss, confusion and difficulty breathing are all symptomatic of mixing Xanax with
antipsychotic medications. They increase the chances of developing side effects. Discuss your current antipsychotic medications with your treating physician before beginning Xanax treatment.
Barbiturates.
Barbiturates and Xanax taken together may increase the risk of common side effects. Drowsiness, difficulty breathing, memory loss and confusion as well as severe side effects are a definite possibility.
Grapefruit Juice.
Consuming grapefruit juice has been known to increase the chances of
Xanax side effects. If your treating physician decides drinking grapefruit juice is okay, then only do so in moderation. However, as it is possible for grapefruit juice to have an impact on the Xanax levels in your blood, it is ideal to avoid it altogether.
Opiates and Narcotics.
Combining a narcotic or an opiate with Xanax can cause difficulty breathing, confusion, drowsiness, memory loss and increase the likelihood of severe side effects occurring.
Oral Contraceptives.
Birth control pills or oral contraceptives combined with taking Xanax can raise the levels of Xanax in the blood. If you are taking oral contraceptives, your healthcare provider may adjust your level of Xanax, or alternatively recommend changing your birth control method.
Other Benzodiazepines.
Xanax in combination with other
benzodiazepines increases side effects potential. Difficulty breathing, memory loss, drowsiness, confusion or more serious side effects can materialize.
Seizure Medications.
Once again, a combination of Xanax and seizure medications can cause side effects including memory loss, difficulty breathing, confusion, drowsiness and side effects that are more serious. Your healthcare provider will assist your before taking seizure medication and Xanax medication together.
Sleep Medications.
Serious side effects from taking Xanax and sleep medication together may occur. General side effects including difficulty breathing, memory loss, confusion and drowsiness are common.
In Summary: Xanax Drug Interactions
Every type of Xanax drug interaction may not be covered within all of this article, therefore, consulting your doctor is important. They will determine if any Xanax drug interactions may apply to you.
