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Aftereffects of Xanax

Sep 28, 2010 | By Aironius French

Xanax is a brand-name prescription drug that was brought to market in 1981 by the pharmaceutical company, Pharmacia and Upjohn. The active ingredient in Xanax is alprazolam, which is a drug used to treat anxiety related conditions, as cited by Drugs.com. Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that become unbalanced and lead to feelings of anxiety. Xanax use can reduce anxiety-based symptoms as well as produce negative aftereffects.

Therapeutic Effect

Daily Med explains that because alprazolam is a benzodiazepine agent, it binds to several stereo specific sites in the central nervous system to alter brain chemistry, although the exact chemicals are not known. It is known that alprazolam causes a depressant activity, which is why it is used for anxiety and panic disorders, anxiety stemming from depression, and even as a hypnotic agent.

Neurological Aftereffects

The most common aftereffects stemming from Xanax use are neurologically related. Drugs.com cites a database of 641 patients studied who were on Xanax, and the most commonly experienced symptoms were insomnia in 30 percent of cases, light-headedness at 19 percent, muscle spasms at 17 percent, and headache at 17 percent. The headaches are frequently described as pounding and migraine-like. Withdrawal seizures can also occur if Xanax is rapidly decreased or abruptly discontinued.

Psychiatric Aftereffects

Psychiatric effects are also considered fairly common in Xanax users and potentially dangerous in those with a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. In the database of 641 Xanax patients who were suffering from panic disorders, 18 percent experienced heightened anxiety, which is paradoxical given its anti-anxiety affect in others. Fatigue and tiredness were reported in 18 percent of cases, whereas both irritability and cognitive impairment were experienced 10 percent of the time.

Metabolic Aftereffects

Metabolic effects of Xanax use commonly involve decreased appetite and the resulting lose of weight, which are the main reasons Xanax is abused by females who consider themselves overweight, according to "PDR Guide to Drug Interactions, Side Effects, and Indications." Specifically, within the database of Xanax patients, both reduced appetite and weight loss were reported in 13 percent of cases.

Gastrointestinal Aftereffects

Effects on the stomach and digestive systems also commonly occur with Xanax use. From the database, nausea and vomiting were reported 17 percent of the time, whereas diarrhea was experienced in 14 percent of cases, and dry-mouth 10 percent of the time. "Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs" notes that, in general, mucous secretions are reduced by Xanax, which not only produces dry-mouth, but also dry sinuses and vagina. Reduced vaginal secretions can make sexual intercourse painful for women.

References

Article reviewed by Libby Swope Wiersema Last updated on: Sep 28, 2010

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