I am taking Xanax from long. Will it cause side effect?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 51 years old female and suffering from anxiety for decades. Recently it became debilitating, and I ended up in the ER and had an EKG because of heart palpitations. My doctor prescribed me 10 mg of Escitalopram and 1.5 mg of Xanax. The Xanax was supposed to be taken as needed, but I misunderstood and have been taking it three times a day (5 mg every eight hours). After six weeks, the SSRI is not helping much. My doctor has increased the dosage to 15 mg. I took the new dose at night and felt awful nauseous, depressed, and lethargic in the morning. Is this the wrong drug for me, or should I go through the side effects? My goal is to feel well enough to start weaning myself off the Xanax. I have not been able to eat solid food for weeks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Escitalopram is an effective medication for managing anxiety disorder. The usual dose is between 10 to 20 mg daily. You are currently on 15 mg. Side effects can occur commonly in the first two weeks of starting the medication or increasing the dose, and then it tends to settle. Take your medicine after food to minimize nausea. Depression and lethargy can take up to two to four weeks to get better.

Taking Xanax (Alprazolam) regularly for more than a month can lead to dependence, and it will cause a withdrawal effect. Consult your doctor and discuss the earliest to gradually taper off Xanax in a safe manner.

Do breathing exercises and muscle relaxation exercises.