Rane0328 asked
I normally take 2mgs of Xanax 2x a day but I think I might have taken an extra 2mgs tonight on accident should I be OK?
Answer
Xanax (alprazolam) is a rapid acting benzodiazepine, most commonly used for the treatment of panic and anxiety disorders. It is also used as a sleep aid, but generally other medications are considered first due to the addiction/dependency potential of benzodiazepine medications.
Xanax, and all benzodiazepines, are considered strong CNS (central nervous system) depressants, and can produce:
- Sedation
- Hypnosis
- Muscle relaxation
- Anticonvulsant activity
In terms of side effects, benzodiazepines are well known to be a cause of respiratory depression and can be extremely dangerous or even fatal when added to other medications. In fact, they are involved in over 30% of overdose deaths every year. They can be especially dangerous when combined with opioids or alcohol.
What Happens If You Accidentally Take An Extra Dose Of Xanax?
The concern with overdosing, or taking extra doses of Xanax (alprazolam), most centers around respiratory depression. Although benzodiazepines are very dangerous when combined with other medications that cause respiratory depression (e.g. opioids, alcohol), they are relatively safe in this regard when used alone.
The prescribing information for Xanax (alprazolam) lists the LD50 in rats to be 331-2171 mg/kg of body weight, an extremely high dose. An extra dose in your case (6 mg) is extremely unlikely to cause any serious issues, as long as you have not combined it with other CNS depressants.
Nevertheless, it is important to be on the lookout for symptoms associated with high doses of Xanax such as:
- Somnolence
- Confusion
- Impaired coordination
- Diminished reflexes
- Coma (high doses)
If you experience any of the above side effects, or have combined Xanax with other CNS depressants, it would be prudent to seek emergency care. Benzodiazepine overdoses can be effectively treated with flumazenil. As mentioned though, taking one extra dose in your situation should be relatively benign.
