HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Are The Effects Of Overdose Of Xanax?

Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015

Question: Hi, I Did something stupid. I'm being treated for anxiety with a lot of stressful things going on,and I wanted get off the Xanax that I'm taking. I tried to take myself off the pills by not taking them. So I drank whiskey for four days straight. But when I was done drinking. The symptoms came back fairly quickly, I panicked and took two 2 mg bars of Xanax. My dose is 2mg but honestly I usually take more I stopped drinking around 7PM and I took the pills at around 9PM. I immediately realized how stupid I was and was afraid to go to sleep, I still haven't slept. So my question is am I out out of the woods for an overdose, seizure, coma? When should I resume the Xanax? My next session with the Doctor is a week from today. He's going to be mad so I don't want to ask him this question unless its face to face.
Thank you...

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
no risk of seizures; take next dose after 24 hours

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I can understand your concerns.

You took 4mg xanax two hours after your drink and you have still not slept.

Please be calm. This will not cause seizure or coma.

Xanax and alcohol has similar action on brain and both act as nervous system depressants.

Since you usually take 2mg or more of xanax, your brain gets adapted to this dose.
Also, xanax (and other benzos) are usually safe in this doses except for the risk of heavy sedation.

There can be a synergistic effect of xanax and alcohol when taken together leading to sleepiness. But you are still awake. There is very minimal risk of coma and no risk of seizure. So, just stay calm. You can go for sleep without any worries.

But, please do not repeat this in future to avoid serious complications.
Never switch to alcohol to wean off from xanax. This is not the right way.

Take your next dose of xanax after 24 hours.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (12 minutes later)

Thank you. 24 hours from the last pill or the last drink?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
24 hours from last pill.

Detailed Answer:
Happy to help.

Take it 24 hours from the last pill.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries.

Hoping for a positive feedback from your side.

Thanks.
Take care.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar