Xanax and Alcohol: Dangers of Mixing it Together
You are probably wondering “is it safe to take the anti-anxiety medication with alcohol?” Well learn the dangers of mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol
Xanax, commonly known by its generic name Alprazolam, belongs to the benzodiazepine pharmacological class. It’s a prescription medicine that’s used to treat anxiety, panic, and depression. It comes in tablet, extended-release tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, and concentrate form. The components of the medication attach themselves to the GABA thereby aiding in calming down the brain and reducing anxiety.
Due to its effectiveness, it is quite a popular drug with a million prescriptions being written out every year.
How does Xanax act on the body?
Alprazolam, the active ingredient of Xanax, binds itself to the type-A GABA receptors and enhances the effect of neurotransmitters in the brain. Due to its working directly on the brain, the risks of addiction and misuse are greater. This is the reason why this pill should be prescribed only under the supervision of the doctor.
Effects Of Mixing Xanax and Caffeine:
Xanax is a controlled substance that is classified under Schedule IV, this means the medicine cannot be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription from an authorized doctor.
The exact working of Xanax is unknown, however, what is known is that the active ingredients attach themselves to the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and enhance the inhibition of the neurotransmitters. This leaves the person feeling a sense of calm and relaxation which relieves them of anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax is a rapid-acting medication, once taken the effect can be felt within an hour and the peak effect can be attained within two hours.
Interaction of Xanax And Alcohol
Both Xanax and Alcohol have more or less the same effects on a person. It creates a feeling of drowsiness. To understand why doctors advise not to Xanax and alcohol together. It is necessary to be aware of the working mechanisms of both products.
Alcohol is well known all around the globe. It is also a depressant that slows down the functionality of the central nervous system. People who take alcohol get into a drowsy state, losing coordination like stammering while speaking, unable to walk without stumbling, and so on. When alcohol is consumed too much, people usually pass out and wake up with heavy headaches and slight memory loss.
Xanax is a sedative drug falling under the category of benzodiazepines. They are known as Benzos, which basically will slow the mechanism of the human brain. The vital outcome is that it can be used to treat conditions such as anxiety, seizures, etc. Xanax is one of the tranquilizer drugs prescribed by doctors to treat their patients with varied health complications.
Since both alcohol and Xanax almost have the same effect on the body. Interaction of these two similar effects can lead to serious fatal measures. Medical Professionals enforce not to intake Xanax or any form of drugs with alcohol.
People who take Xanax and alcohol together survive without any side effects might even feel effective results. That can be because of the minimal dose of both the sedatives. Metabolic rate also impacts the effects on a person. Whereas it can also lead to death in many cases.
Side effects of alcohol with Xanax
When Xanax interacts with alcohol it will increase the concentration of alprazolam in the person. Xanax and alcohol are similar in slowing down the normal activity of the brain. To be practical, the interaction can make things slower. When Xanax and alcohol are ingested, they get digested or broken down by a particular enzyme of the liver. It creates an overload of work for the liver to assimilate the substance. Other effects include, there are major chances of the person getting collapsed at any period of time, irrespective of the person’s situation or surroundings. It can lead to unconsciousness, deadly accidents, either way, harmful to the specific individual or the other.
Even overdosage, end up with dangerous effects or even death. But the ratio of those cases is rare when alcohol or Xanax are taken separately. Interaction of Xanax and alcohol increases the rate of dependence. People get addicted to the combination and will end up in a state of regular intake to perform normal activities. They stay in the bloodstream for a long time and have a prolonged sedative session. It lowers the blood pressure, increases the difficulty in breathing, blurred vision, blackouts, etc.
These risky combinations can also lead to unusual behavioral changes. The person will be moody or experience high irritability. The person seems to be always confused or in a chaotic state. The negative list of the interaction is more when compared to what good they bring about.
And the abuse of this kind is called polydrug abuse. This form of drug abuse can lead to disastrous effects on health. If you or someone you know is going through this kind of phase. It is necessary to get proper medical support on time. People who are into these interactions find to come out of the addiction. It is important to keep in mind that any prescription drug should be taken properly in the right dosage. Get to immediate medical if necessary without any delay.