Is it OK or safe to take 0.5 mg Xanax 4 times a day?

Hi, wanted to let you know that if that is what your doctor prescribed, then, yes. Hope you do better!

Hi, pamela! Xanax, a benzodiazepine, is highly habituating and raising the dosage is contraindicated in many cases. Also, extended use of a benzo... beyond 4-6 weeks... can cause increased anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and even memory loss.
I would certainly discuss this with your doctor and do not adjust your dosage without her/his professional advice. You might also want to discuss safer long term alternatives to control your symptoms.

I would explain to my doctor what's going on and see if upping your dose to 1mg 3 times a day. Or you could see if switching to a longer acting benzo. Myself I take .5mg of klonopin twice a day and have no problems. Klonopin is a long acting benzodiazepine while xanax is a short acting benzodiazepine. Anyway I would see if he would up my dose of xanax or switch to a longer acting benzo.

Sounds like Xanax has stopped working for you, speak to your Doctor and don't stop taking it till you do, it could have rebound effect he can give you something that will work much better, good luck.

Hello Pamela:

Technically, the answer is yes. The maximum daily dose is 4 mg and 4 x .5 is 2.0 mg. But it sounds as though you may be developing a tolerance to xanax. This is common when the therapy continues for an extended period and 5 months would qualify as an extended period. Withdrawing from Xanax can be a difficult process so if I were you I would talk to my Doctor about alternative approaches for dealing with your anxiety. This can include both a different type of medication that can better serve you for the long term as well as behavioral/cognitive therapies.

All the best and take care for now.