My wife was prescribed alprazolam about 2 weeks ago. They were for anxiety relief. The Dr. prescribed 1 mg twice a day but she takes them only once per day at night. It does help her sleep all night but when she wakes up she is wired like she is on "speed". She talks non-stop and is easily irritated with a short temper. She can work 18-20 hours straight and says she's not tired. All that I've read about Xanax is that it make a person drowsy, which is the exact opposite of her reaction. Is this a common reaction to the medication? It did relieve her anxiety though.
Can a person get "wired" while taking alprazolam?
Question posted by sncdoc on 10 July 2010
Last updated on 20 February 2021
18 Answers
kevinb1953
20 Feb 2021
Hello.
This question is ten years old so there's plenty of answers on it here but I'll say that at first, when I was prescribed Xanax, I had the best sleep with REM I had had in many years and the next day I was so full of energy that I worked 11 hours in my own construction business plus I don't know how many people asked me why I was talking so much. Those reactions to Ana wore off, not completely, after a few weeks on the medicine. So YES this is not weird. It happened to me. The talking was from being so shut-in within my own mind, I'm guessing.
Best regards
Kevinb1953
bhamjoel44
20 Feb 2021
That makes sense. So it seems it was the great rest it was giving you. OP also reports his wife was irritable with a short temper during the day, when not on the medication. Was that in your experience as well, or did you also take the med during the day?
kevinb1953
20 Feb 2021
Yes. I get irritable as well. That's one sign that I need a pill.
masso
20 Feb 2021
Call your doctor at once if you have:
weak or shallow breathing;
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
a seizure;
hallucinations, risk-taking behavior;
increased energy, decreased need for sleep;
racing thoughts, being agitated or talkative;
double vision; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
bhamjoel44
20 Feb 2021
Just to point out to anyone new to this thread, the "call your doctor at once" warnings are for very rare reactions. But obviously, they do happen. "Increased energy, decreased need for sleep" could have been what happened with OP's wife. It is always important to read the prescribing information included with medications BEFORE taking them. Not doing so is like not checking your parachute before jumping out of a plane. O-:
bhamjoel44
20 Feb 2021
It’s extremely unlikely her change in behavior is caused DIRECTLY by the Xanax, as it is occurring hours after the dose would have worn off. It’s possible she’s just getting a great nights sleep, so she has more energy now. The other possibility is she has a condition like bipolar and she is starting to experience hypomania. Very energetic states. This disorder is often diagnosed as regular depression with anxiety, and benzos like Xanax and traditional antidepressants are prescribed. But for a person with bipolar, these meds can switch the person from the depressed state to the manic state and versa. There is also what is known as a “paradoxical reaction”, which means when a drug is taken it has the opposite effect of the effect intended and that experienced by the overwhelming majority of patients.
But I don’t think that applies here as, again, she’s experiencing these thing hours after the medication has worn off. If she takes a Xanax at night and she sleeps like a baby, the Xanax is working properly. There is also something called “rebound effect”. This is when a drug is taken and when it wears off, some or all of the symptoms that were alleviated while the drug was active, come back. Sometimes more intensely. This usually only happens once a person has taken the drug for at least several weeks and the body has gotten used to it (tolerance). Many people experience this with Xanax, especially since it is a short acting benzodiazepine. It goes in and out very quickly. This can bring people back to the premedicated state so rapidly that it’s sort of a shock to the system. Xanax XR highly recommended for anyone who takes Xanax, especially if you need around the clock coverage. It works just about as quickly and eliminates or reduces the ups and downs of taking regular Xanax several times daily.
Lynnokii664
5 July 2020
So I take Xanax recreationally and when I do I take it regularly for about 2 weeks everyday then take a month or two break and sometimes it makes me very tired and I blackout for a while and sleep forever then I wake up mad as hell and irritable and still tired after 12+ hours of sleep. Other times I will take the same amount and be completely energized and going nonstop for hours and sleep for about 2 hours and wake up very energized but very depressed and panicky. ( I have a long history of depression and anxiety) does anyone else experience this ?
WildcatVet
2 April 2020
Yes, this is fairly uncommon but is called an idiosyncratic reaction characterized by stimulation and hyperactivity.
It should be reported to the prescribing physician ASAP and could be a reason to discontinue this medication.
Mr Duck
1 April 2020
Yes, that is exactly why it is the Nations drug of choice.
Both she and you are experiencing the common response for those in the know. Many people get wired and their pupils dilated like with amphetamine use. She will have difficulty sleeping and will be verbally and physically combative.
She will appear to be happy but will display significant mood swings if challenged. Some addicts will not display all of the symptoms and contain their anger issues better.
She is now a typical Xanax addict. You know now how a Xanax addict acts. Things will only get much worse.
So many people have no idea what Xanax addiction does. You have lived with the monster. Let others know of the reality.
annesnider
6 March 2020
I am experiencing the same thing, Xanax makes me wired. I am adhd and was prescribed it as a “rescue” drug for panic attacks but when I’ve taken it, it just wires me. So your wife is not alone!
annesnider
6 March 2020
I hate that people told you it’s an “odd reaction” it’s not unless we’re both odd
Dottie25
4 Sep 2019
I’ve been on alprazolam on and off for 20 years. Never got wired, or even eurphoric. They worked best in the beginning when they were the real Xanax, now I’m pharmacy shopping because I’ve noticed differences in the generics. I take 2mg at bedtime, sleep for about 3-4 hours, then I’m wide awake. Watch tv for a bit, fall asleep then wake up at 6, so they’re not as long lasting as they used to be (I started out by just taking a chip of .5) I realize I’ve built a tolerance, have tapered a couple of times but gotta be careful about rebound anxiety. For me it’s the only thing with no side effects. Lots of doctors tried to talk me into Prozac instead, but I’ve heard that’s the worst for tapering.
WildcatVet
4 Sep 2019
@Dottie.
Actually, Prozac is probably the easiest SSRI as far as discontinution:
"Most people seem to have considerably less withdrawal symptoms when quitting Prozac than they do quitting a medication like Paxil or Effexor. Part of the reason that withdrawal from Prozac may be considered relatively easy has to do with the fact that it has a longer half life.
Many people actually switch to Prozac to help ease withdrawal symptoms from other medications that have shorter half lives. Most other SSRI’s are difficult to come off of – especially if you have been on them for an extended period of time."
Excerpt taken from Mental Health Daily.
WildcatVet
4 Sep 2019
From Drugs.com literature:
"Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): IRRITABILITY (up to 33.1%), insomnia (up to 29.5%), anxiety (up to 19.2%), decreased libido (up to 14%), depression (up to 13.9%), confusional state (up to 10.4%)
Common (1% to 10%): AGITATION, change in libido (not specified), confusion, derealization, disinhibition, disorientation, dream abnormalities, fear, increased libido, NERVOUSNESS, TALKATIVENESS
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): ADVERSE BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS, ALTERED MOOD, concentration difficulties, hallucinations
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): HYPOMANIA, mania, other adverse behavioral effects
aggressive
Frequency not reported: Abuse, AGGRESSIVE OR HOSTILE BEHAVIOR, AGGRESSIVENESS, anterograde amnesia, delusion, depersonalization, dysphoria/mild dysphoria, HOSTILITY, inappropriate behavior, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, physical dependence, primary/secondary major depressive disorders, psychic dependence, psychoses, rage, RESTLESSNESS
Postmarketing reports: Abnormal thinking, ANGER"
vickyvhs1
4 Sep 2019
I'm a 47 yr old woman, I've taken xanax off & on for anxiety for the last 15 yrs & in my experience, YES you can get wired off xanax bc I do every time I take them. Unlike this person's wife, I've never taken any, gone to sleep, then woke up weird. That's kinda strange to me. What happens to me is I'm immediately wired soon as the medication takes effect. I definitely won't be sleeping, until it's wore off. If I do take it at night I will not get any sleep. I realize this is very unusual I I have never heard of anybody else with the same effects. I realized this question was posted quite a few years ago, but I just came across it and realize the vet everybody was answering like this poor man's wife was some crazy person because she was wired off Xanax. Well I guess I'm another crazy person LOL. Well good luck to everybody and I hope this helps somebody out there.
Joseph Beckmann
3 Sep 2019
I know this is very old but for anyone else wandering or who think it's not possible I am a case where Xanax gives me energy. It helps me sleep when I want to sleep but other than that it does exactly what you said you were wife does. I'm pretty sure it's called the paradoxical effect a big word that just means it does the opposite. Just depends on people's chemistry. But now as far as her taking it to sleep and then the next day not taking it but being wired I have heard from a lot of people that that's kind of the Comedown and basically involves being anxious again from not having the drug and also very common for people to excuse to turn but get very pissy the day after. Not much useful info here except to kind of say here, I do in fact get energy from it so your wife is not alone and she's not lying to you.
5133
22 Nov 2018
I am getting treatment for lung cancer. Chemo is with Benadryl and steroids. Physically fine mentally I go from tired to superman. Panic attacks, can't lay down and sleep in bed. Generic xanax 5 mg. Is not working
Added a big swig of vodka. Worked once. Didn't work last night. Going crazy. I'm told I need marijuana oil.
sncdoc
16 July 2010
My wife of 39 years has always been a very mild and meek person. Yesterday she finally completely lost control and we are trying to get her into a psychiatric hospital. ( think that she forgot that she had taken her Alprazolam tablet and took a second before going to bed. Unfortunately she had gone 1000 miles away and was staying with a friend. She called me at 5:30 am and demanded that I get her psychiatrist to call her. When I wasn't moving fast enough she yelled at me and hung up. She then called some of our friends here and rambled and got mad at them too. When the friend that she was staying with got up, she ranted at her and the friend demanded that she leave. (she was planning a 2 week stay). Fortunately our daughter had a summer job nearby and she started the 2 hour drive to her place about 10 am. She got there at 7 pm after having wandering around the freeways all afternoon trying to find the place.
Her psychiatrist said to take her to the emergency room but the hospital said that they wouldn't do anything unless she was in one of her rages, which comes and goes.
I think what has happened is that along with loosing her anxieties she's also lost her inhibitions and is just reacting on immediate emotions. Wish us luck in getting her into treatment (and this after only taking Alprazolam 3 weeks!).
Inactive
16 July 2010
Dear sncdoc, What a night you had!!! Let us know how she, and you are doing! Is your wife going through menopause? That can sure make a woman feel pretty scary! (I went through it real early)
Sounds like she is ever so irritable?
Please post again.
sweetlemon
Twoody57
13 Jan 2018
I know that this is an old post but I have been on Xanax for awhile now and it always makes me feel up and have extra energy. I have sever PTSD but it helps me feel normal. That's why I was wondering if it made anyone else feel that way the only other medication I take with it is for my Depression which is Cymbalta. I take 0.5 mg three times a day one when I wake up one in the afternoon and one at night so I can sleep without my racing thoughts. My Xanax has been a life saver with my sever stress.
Fpam
22 July 2018
It makes me like I am on speed I cant stop cleaning and talking.
woodsgirls
12 Oct 2018
Yes! I have severe PTSD and Xanax made me feel normal for once. I was cleaning, painting, studying, just doing normal things today I had so much energy. I think this is going to be a life changer for me.
sncdoc
11 July 2010
She has been taking Prozac and trazodone for many years now. The reaction seems to be directly related to her taking the alprazolam though. She failed to take a dose one night and was much calmer, less talkative, and not as irritable the next day. I've convinced her to try half a tablet (which would be 0.5mg) for a couple or three nights and the wired symptoms were definitely not as pronounced. I'm wondering if she is one of those who reacts the opposite from normal with this med. For some people, uppers do make them calmer (Adderall for example). I'm wondering if she is one of these individuals. She doesn't have access to other drugs since we live way out in the sticks, I'm retired and here all the time, and have custody of the cars anyway. She is also retired and in her upper 60's and even has an aversion to alcohol.
Inactive
11 July 2010
sncdoc, so glad she is feeling better!
Inactive
11 July 2010
Hmmmm when you say she taking trazodone as well that makes it even more odd, because thats a downer as well, and youd think that the two put together would knock her out... For some people when they take uppers they SEEM more calm, but its not that theyre more mellow, its that when their on the drug they can focus better, sit still, etc etc. I know this because i am one of those people. I used to buy adderall xr in high school from people during finals week to help me study and concentrate during tests and stuff. I first started taking 20mgs at a time, didnt do much. 30mgs, same thing, not too much help. 60mgs, ehh starting to feel the effects but still not content. 90mgs (yeah i know thats ALOT of adderall) made me WANT to sit down and take tests. I wish i would have been scripted the stuff, cause whenever i took it before and during test days i would get much better scores cause i simply concentrated better.
My point is that drugs do effect people differently EMOTIONALLY or "on the outside", but whats happening IN peoples brains is pretty much the same thing from person to person. What im saying is i dont really see how it could be possible to have a reverse reaction to a tranquilizer.
Yellobrickroad
17 May 2018
I know this is nearly 10 yrs old, but these ppl on here may never have heard of it, but it happens to me as well. Benadryl is like speed to me as well. Things that should give you energy make me crash. Xanax makes me tired at night and I sleep, but not well... I fight spurts of energy all night. I wake up hours too early with more energy than I can expel. I’m squirmy. It’s a thing. I never mix meds. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. It’s just an adverse reaction. I just don’t like when ppl say something is impossible because it isn’t common.
Inactive
10 July 2010
She has to be secretly taking something else or doing something else take it from us with people with many many years experience with xanax. This is unheard of i got to tell you i have never heard of anyone getting wired from a xanax pill. Does your wife take any other medications? maybe the medication along with this one is giving her this odd reaction and im saying odd cause this is truely an odd case. Really this is all i can think of when it comes to hearing something as zany as this. Now we are not saying jump to conclusions and ask her what is she on this very well could be just an odd case of a reverse reaction from a medication. If this continues have her see the doctor immediatly to adjust her meds cause this is not safe for you or her.
Joseph Beckmann
3 Sep 2019
I respect your opinion here but at the same time I thought are you serious? I just left my take on it and yes I get the best energy I can have when I take my Xanax and as prescribed. Half a milligram twice a day. So I don't know how many people you experienced or anything but yes there are plenty of us out here who only take Xanax and yes it makes us almost hyper. Maybe in some cases it's just the person was so shut down from Fear and anxiety and the whole lot that when they take their Xanax they can snap out of that focus and it seems hyper to others but it's just them becoming normal. Please don't take it as I was discrediting you or anything. Just as you said you've never heard of it I've heard of Plenty cases myself being one.
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, alprazolam, hyperactivity
Further information
- Alprazolam uses and safety info
- Alprazolam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Alprazolam (detailed)
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