I have been taking Xanax off and on for over 10 years. I have never taken more than 0.25mg unless I was having a severe panic attack and never more than once a day when I take it. I usually have panic at night and that is when I take it, and only when it so bad I need it. However lately it has become troublesome, I will take it, my panic will curb and fall asleep but will wake up a few hours later with my heart racing and sweating, and it is hard to go back to sleep. In the morning I will wake up with anxiety. I have tried increasing the dose or taking another tiny piece when I wake up but it seems to make it worse. Reducing the dose causes the sweats too. I don't understand why all of a sudden my reaction to this drug is different.
I switched to Ativan .5 mg which doesn't work as well or very quickly. But seem to be starting to have problems with it too.
On a side note- I am post menopausal and dealt with night sweats in the past because of it but these night sweats etc happen when I take Xanax.
Why isn't the drug working anymore?
Thank you
Xanax causing night sweats and not working anymore, what causes a drug to change?
Question posted by cleverwabbit5 on 30 Nov 2018
Last updated on 30 November 2018 by Nitro061
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Answers
The reason why you are experiencing this is because You have become tolerant to the current dose. You have most likely extended the relief from Xanax by taking it only as needed but Benzodiazepines are habit forming and all who take it will eventually become dependent on it and tolerant as well, so upping doses, switching back and forth from different benzodiazepines to get the same effects is a common problem... But
NOT ALL BENZODIAZEPINES, are the same.
Your issues with reawakening with Xanax are simple
Xanax is meant for taking it, it acts very quickly, aborting the anxiety attack allowing one to function, then Xanax, is designed to quickly wear off allowing you to function in Society. It is a very poor choice for a sleeping aid where it is short term.
You should try something like Lunesta or Ambien
But before going on to another tranquilizer please ask your doctor and pharmacist about
trazodone
mirtazapine and Amitryptiline.
These are excellent sleeping aid choices. There are almost no side effects except causing sleeping. Meanwhile you can let off on your Xanax and eventually if you refrain from using it for a bit then as needed in daytime you will see Xanax will again help you.
Related topics
xanax, hyperhidrosis, anxiety, panic disorder, night sweats, drug
Further information
- Xanax uses and safety info
- Xanax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax (detailed)
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