Short & Long-Term Effects of Xanax® (Alprazolam)

Xanax® is the brand name for a prescription medication called alprazolam, which falls under the benzodiazepine class of drugs. Alprazolam is the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drug in the United States and is prescribed to manage anxiety and panic disorders.1 

When taken as directed, Xanax can be very effective in making anxiety more manageable. However, misusing the medication can lead to countless short-term and long-term effects. 

Is Alprazolam (Xanax) Safe?

When taken as prescribed, Xanax is a safe and effective medication.2 Outside of anxiety and panic disorders, it may also be used to treat depression, insomnia, and premenstrual syndrome.2 

Xanax works by slowing down the nervous system.3 It has anxiolytic properties,1 meaning it helps relieve feelings of dread, fear, and unease that a person may be experiencing from their panic or anxiety disorder.4 

While Xanax is often prescribed as part of a long-term anxiety management treatment plan, it’s actually not recommended to take Xanax for an extended period of time.2 This is due to the risk of physical dependence or misuse of the drug.

Short-Term Effects of Xanax

While minor side effects from taking Xanax are relatively common, most patients are willing to deal with them due to the quick-acting and effective therapeutic benefits of the drug.2  

Common alprazolam effects include:2,3

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Poor concentration
• Hypersensitivity 
• Irritability 
• Amnesia 
• Nausea
• Change in sex drive
• Poor muscle control
• Slurred speech
• Sedation

However, when the medication is misused, the short-term effects of Xanax can become more intense. This could potentially lead to more uncomfortable Xanax effects occurring, including:1 

• Poor balance
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Increased sweating
• Vomiting
• Swelling of hands or feet
• Worsening depression

Long-Term Effects of Xanax Abuse

One of the most concerning long-term effects of Xanax is the potential of developing an addiction to the medication. While the chance of becoming addicted to the drug is low if you follow your prescription, the risk increases if you misuse it.3 This is due to the effects of Xanax on the brain— specifically, how Xanax can trigger a large release of dopamine in the brain.2 People want to continue experiencing this feeling, which leads them to further abuse of the medication.

There can be other alarming long-term effects of Xanax abuse. These can include:1

• Increased depression or anxiety
• Suicidal ideation
• Emotional instability 
• Severe fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Passing out

Other Risks of Misusing Xanax

The risks of Xanax are amplified if a person mixes Xanax with alcohol, illicit substances, or other misused prescription medications.

For example, if a person combines Xanax with opioids such as heroin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, or fentanyl, they could experience respiratory depression and low blood pressure, which can be fatal.1 

Drinking alcohol while misusing Xanax can significantly magnify the effects of both substances, leading a person to feel intoxicated much more quickly than from drinking alone. The combination can also lead to higher risks of coma, respiratory failure, or cardiac failure.5 Combining Xanax misuse with stimulant drugs such as cocaine or meth can lead to dependence or addiction to both types of drugs.6

Xanax Overdose Symptoms 

A person can overdose on Xanax if they are misusing it by taking too much at a time or taking it more frequently than prescribed. The risk of overdose is increased when another substance is taken with Xanax.6 

Symptoms of a Xanax overdose can include:6

• Sleepiness
• Jitteriness
• Mood swings
• Aggression
• Shallow breathing
• Unconsciousness 

If you think someone is suffering from a Xanax overdose, call 911 immediately and stay by their side until the paramedics arrive.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms & Treatment 

If a person is misusing Xanax, their body may begin to form a dependence on the drug. After abusing the drug, the person may also develop an addiction to the substance, which could impact all aspects of their life.

If this person suddenly stops or reduces the amount of the drug they take— by choice or by circumstance— they may begin to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and highlight just how serious the effects of alprazolam abuse can be. 

Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:2,7

• Muscle cramps and twitches
• Diarrhea
• Blurred vision
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Seizure
• Delirium
• Psychosis 
• Changes in sense of smell
• Disorientation 

To safely navigate Xanax withdrawals, it’s often recommended that a person go through a drug detox program under the supervision of medical professionals. Following the medical detox, the patient can join a treatment program to address their Xanax abuse and also treat their underlying anxiety. This is often accomplished through the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which can help the patient achieve long-term sobriety by using medications to manage their withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Xanax Addiction Treatment in Kansas City

If your Xanax addiction is keeping you from experiencing the life you want, our team is ready to help you become sober. At Empowered Recovery Kansas City, our experienced and compassionate addiction professionals can help you learn new strategies to deal with anxiety, trauma, and any other underlying issues driving your addiction.

We offer a variety of rehab programs that can be customized to best fit your needs. From partial hospitalization programs to intensive outpatient and standard outpatient programs, we can help you choose the treatment option that will be most impactful for you.

To learn more about our addiction treatment methods, therapy modalities, and more, reach out to our rehab admissions team. They can help explain our admission process and the flexible payment options we offer, which include working with your insurance to cover all or part of your treatment. To begin your recovery from Xanax addiction, verify your benefits online or give our admissions team a call today.

References 

1. George, T. T., & Tripp, J. (2023, April 24). Alprazolam. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved May 10, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538165/
2. Ait-Daoud N, Hamby AS, Sharma S, Blevins D. A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal. (2018 Jan/Feb). Retrieved May 10, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5846112/
3. Alprazolam Tablets. (2024, December 20). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 10, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19498-alprazolam-tablets
4. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. (n.d.). Cancer.gov. Retrieved May 10, from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/anxiolytic
5. Reyes, L., LISAC, Salafsky, D., Hamilton, L. A., CHES, Gorin, S., & Health Promotion and Preventive Services (HPPS) department of the UA Campus Health Service. (n.d.). The Red Cup Q&A. Health Promotion and Preventive Services (HPPS) Department of the UA Campus Health Service. Retrieved May 10, from https://www.health.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/How%20Dangerous%20is%20the%20Combination%20of%20Alcohol%20and%20Xanax.pdf
6. Benzodiazepines.  (2025, March 6). Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Retrieved May 11, from https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/benzodiazepines/
7. XANAX® tablets, USP. (2021). FDA. Retrieved May 11, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/018276s058lbl.pdf