I went to the ER last night because of anxiety and they gave me 1mg of alprazolam and I feel sleepy but relaxed :) but usually my doctor prescribes me 0.25mg which is the lowest dose. I wonder how often and how much should I take to feel relaxed but not sleepy?
How many 0.25mg equal to a 1mg of Alprazolam?
Question posted by Teysy77 on 29 May 2014
Last updated on 29 April 2019 by Marler PHD
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7 Answers
Marler PHD
30 April 2019
You should talk to your PCP about any changes regarding to your medication. Your PCP may actually up your dosage if need be. Your currently talking the lowest dose of 0.25mg but you may actually need to take a higher dose if you comply with your primary care physician and you two come to an agreement to keep your current dose the same or as I said up your dosage. I hope this helps with your question.
WildcatVet
24 Dec 2018
Don't kid yourself. Whichever benzo you use (or abuse) for whatever reason, they are ALL highly addictive. There are much better and safer alternatives.
Ali0990
24 Dec 2018
You should take diazepam 5 to 10 mg when you feel anxiety or aggressive. But alprazolam is good but Don't make it habit.
Funutru
13 March 2018
Wrong if there .25 white ones it takes 8 to make a bar
Zondra Carter
9 Sep 2018
You are so right I took two and it did nothing at all and I didn't want to over do it but I ended up taking about 7 to get back to my self
Stephen Treloar
30 May 2014
Alprazolam has a fairly short half life as I recall from when I used to take it. I won't now at all, just Diazepam (Valium) as required. Sometimes it doesn't work but it doesn't make me a danger on the roads either. I don't believe it should be prescribed for general anxiety as a result. It is great for panic attacks but is very addictive (beyond just plain habit forming).
You should see your Doctor for something less extreme if you plan on taking it regularly for an extended period in my opinion. It might not seem a good idea now but should you want to stop, it is worth considering at the very least.
Like km said: 1 divided by 0.25 = 4 OR 0.25 x 4 = 1 I cannot fathom how you could not calculate this. :(
kaismama
30 May 2014
A good many people have trouble with decimal points. I've known nurses who had problems with it and we used it all the time.
DzooBaby
29 May 2014
You dont want to take more than your Dr has ordered. Like KM states, you'll run out of medication too soon (and then be without until your next fill is due at the least and could be discharged from his practice-meaning you will be finding a new Dr-at worst.) Was your dose at the ER given by IV? If so, even taking 1mg by mouth will not feel the same. One thing you can do is to make an appt with your Dr and let him know that you went to the ER and tell him what you were given and that it helped you and see what he says. One major problem with Alprazolam and other drugs like it is that euphoric (slightly sleepy, relaxed, all is right with the world) feeling wears off really quickly and requires higher and higher doses to get this feeling. This is called tolerance. Tolerance and taking more medication than is prescribed will lead you right down the road to addiction because you will keep taking more and more to maintain that feeling.
Anti-anxiety drugs, particularly benzodiazepines, are fine for short term intervention of anxiety but they shouldnt be the mainstay long term treatment of anxiety. You need to learn better coping mechanisms. There are better medications for long term use and therapy is a must to help you to learn how to manage your anxiety. You need to learn what makes you feel anxious and why along with the signals that anxiety is coming on and how to deal with those feelings. Popping a pill should only be an occasional short term intervention.
kaismama
29 May 2014
You should not take more then your dr prescribed. For one thing you'll run out too fast. It takes 4 of yours to equal 1.
Related topics
anxiety, panic disorder, alprazolam, dosage, doctor, prescription
Further information
- Alprazolam uses and safety info
- Alprazolam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Alprazolam (detailed)
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