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Xanax XR for Panic Disorder User Reviews

Xanax XR has an average rating of 8.3 out of 10 from a total of 46 reviews for the treatment of Panic Disorder. 83% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 13% reported a negative experience.

Xanax XR rating summary

8.3/10 average rating

46 ratings from 49 user reviews.

Compare all 31 medications used in the treatment of Panic Disorder.

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Reviews for Xanax XR

  • Breez...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 18, 2021

"Makes me very sleepy which is hard to deal with, but worth not being paralyzed from the flight or fight all day and night. Also want to say shame on the ones of you for talking about the horror stories of withdrawal, that it is so bad for you and benzos ruin your life. Your horror stories stopped me from taking the med when I got it, which made me suffer longer. Withdrawal DOES not happen to everyone. Did you ever think about the fact that some people can't take antidepressants, or other options? Some of us have to rely on therapy and benzos. Don't go scaring the people who clearly need the medicine. Please... just take the med if prescribed and get a Dr you trust. I cried and refused treatment I needed because of what some people have written. Rated lower right now because I haven't found the right dose yet."

7 / 10
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144 Report
  • Mike
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 15, 2019

"I absolutely love this generic alternative to regular Xanax because I can attest to previously having urges and cravings to take more when I was on regular than I ever do for Xanax XR. SOO thankful for this drug, one of those XR formulations actually turned out to be useful in deterring abuse and misuse. I would recommend this 10x overs than any other benzodiazepines currently available on the market for anxiety. This drug has changed my life and it doesn't negatively impact it, nor do I find myself running out early. I actually have more than needed at time my medication was due for refill."

10 / 10
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127 Report
  • Collin
  • April 7, 2018

"“I’m a proud United States Veteran, unfortunately I suffer from several mental illnesses due to service related issues. Panic disorder with agoraphobia being the worse and most debilitating one for me. I have been on almost ever SSRI, SNRI, MAOI, TCA’s, Beta blockers and antipsychotics. With nothing working but benzodiazepines! I have been on Klonopin, Valium, Ativan and Xanax They all work well but Xanax ER out of the Benzo family works best in my opinion. I was recently put on Xanax XR instead of Xanax IR and it works amazing for me! last through out the whole day nice and steady and I’m not even thinking about a next dose. Words cant describe how much it has changed my life in this past month. I take 1mg twice a day!"

10 / 10
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81 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • desert
  • May 26, 2020

"Started Xanax XR 1mg about 10 years ago. I took it on and off for GAD. Then increased to 1mg plus 0.5mg if needed. Due to extended release my Dr kept telling me that it is not an addictive drug. Rubbish. Also tapering off is a problem because you can only do 0.5 mg at a time. So now after cancer and death in the family I had to stay on it for anxiety. New doctor (Psych) after 10 plus years. First word out of his mouth: I don't like prescribing Xanax XR that much. Great. Plus appointment are with telemedicine which stinks. The drug works but definitely dependence and tolerance. Any feedback would be nice"

8 / 10
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55 Report
  • kyle
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 7, 2019

"I use alprazolam ER. Have been on some form of benzo for panic issues 20-30 years. Xanax worked best. Problem was with it's relief time, # of hours it would work before needing to take another. I think the main issue was with my system's ability to notice the absence of fear because the medication would give me comfort by inebriation, feeling intoxicated. Which is fine for some people, but my system began needing more. Stopping would magnify my fear, bring on withdrawal, make life beyond miserable. I was given Xanax ER and my fear almost disappeared without intoxicating me; wish I could describe it more precise. All I know is I do not feel like my fear is being replaced by 2-3 pints of lager. It is gone almost always without having to increase medication. Pretty amazing for someone who has medication issues."

9 / 10
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59 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • DEEDEE
  • September 28, 2019

"I was on 0.5 mg (1/2 mg) 2x daily of regular Xanax for 15 years for panic attacks & anxiety disorder. It worked wonderfully and I had a very good quality of life with it. Suddenly last month, my psychiatrist of 20 years decided he no longer likes to prescribe regular xanax anymore. Well I had a very bad anxiety relapse when he prescribed me Xanax Extended Release 1 mg one time per day instead. It was horrible!! It felt like I didn't even take my xanax and I had waves of normalcy mixed with horrendous rolling anxiety & intermittent panic attacks daily, & nightly. What I didn't know was that it was only giving me .25 mg at a time 4 times per day. Well I was used to the 1/2 of a mg 2 times per day which was much stronger. People with anxiety or panic disorder notice every subtle detail and bodily change, so I started panicking when I felt like they weren't working. My anticipatory anxiety shot through the roof and I felt panicked for the past month. It has been a roller coaster ride!"

2 / 10
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55 Report
  • Ellie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 27, 2014

"I've had severe panic attacks for most of my life. At first I began with 0.25mg of regular Xanax (IR) as needed, but found that I would feel it wear off. I now take 0.5mg of Xanax XR every morning, and it has been a complete life changer. I also struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Xanax XR has also helped lessen the symptoms of both of those as well, which I was not expecting. Xanax XR completely helps the racing thoughts, helps me stay in the moment, and overall helps me feel calm and at ease."

10 / 10
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94 Report

More FAQ

  • Chlo
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 11, 2021

"Over 40 yrs with panic disorder, bi-polar2, PTSD the only drug that worked Zyprexa - caused 80 extra lbs. so doctor discontinued. I continued with Xoloft & Depakote and 0.5 mg xanax 2-3 times a day. 2 years ago pulled me off the Depakote due to liver issues. My Xanax 0.5 mg IR intake went up and up and still felt panic. New doctor prescribed 2mg XR & Wow It changed my life. I take it twice a day,,,never crazing it like the IR. I just get up and go about my day! Honestly I’ve used it all and Xanax XR has calmed my anxiety and evened out my moods. Sometimes I forget to take the 2nd dose. It’s so nice not to be up and down all day fighting anxiety, panic and dread! It’s not a high for me, never has been, I just feel normal and do more writing, going out, etc. than I’ve done in years. I honestly did not see this coming but this drug has given me a whole new lease on life and life possibilities."

10 / 10
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35 Report
  • Hands...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 6, 2019

"I took Xanax for over thirty years and it worked great for my anxiety and depression . I had one problem with it I took another med that I should've used and there was extreme side effects. I asked for Xanax IR and the Dr. wouldn't prescript it, but after trying different meds failed, I was put on the XR and I am doing well after two months. I was just filled another Rx for XR and I am glad it works for about eight to twelve hours. I take two 3mg twice a day and I wouldn't switch for any other med on the market. As another person posted I forget to take the second dose."

9 / 10
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48 Report
  • MoMa
  • September 27, 2014

"i have been on and off Xanax since its release in the '80's. Two years I attempted to wean myself off. My reasoning was that 0.25mg twice a day was too much and I was still panicking. After 3 days I had a full panic attack. Took 1/2 of a Xanax and called my M.D. He said that he did not know what to do. I called a psych. I continued on the o.25 mg twice a day. I continued to be panicking and paranoid. He placed on Xanax 0.5mg XR in morning and 1mg XR at bedtime. I feel so much better. I continue to worry about withdrawals, but having to take two pills a day is no big deal if you have ever had an attack. I also did not try to hide the fact from people I thought who would find me flawed for taking Xanax. This was freeing."

10 / 10
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76 Report
  • Big...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 6, 2018

"When big pharma came out with XR my life has really changed, I'm no longer anticipating my next dose as a matter of a fact I've have forgotten to take my dose and be fine just waited until the next dose was required. I recommend anyone on regular Xanex to ask their doctor to change them to XR just to see if it's easier and less worrisome about the next dose"

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • zigzag
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 21, 2013

"This was the first medication I was prescribed for anxiety, panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorder, and a few other problems I had going on at the same time. I started taking 1mg once per day, then 1mg twice per day... this worked well for quite a while. Then I changed to 2mg once per day and after several months went to 2mg twice per day. I took this for about 4yrs. total and had no nightmares, seldom had racing thoughts, the panic attacks stopped pretty much all together after the first week or two, and this also kept the general anxiety at bay as well. The only problem was that if you have no insurance or discount card it's very expensive! I had to go to 10mg valium 3x daily at 1/3 the cost, but wish I could still afford the XR's because they work well!"

10 / 10
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75 Report
  • LineL...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 7, 2018

"I was taking Xanax XR 1mg for Panic Disorder. I was having them so bad and couldn’t do my job, lost my job, lost my family and had to completely start over. The Xanax helped my panic attacks about 93% and I just had to tough out the rest. I took the medication for 2 months with a beta blocker. I had to take a DOT (Department of Transportation) drug urine test so I dropped the medication like a hat. Completely stopped taking it!! Oh my you talking about miserable!!!!! Not only was my anxiety so much worse, I was having constant panic attacks, extreme chest pains, couldn’t breathe, feeling lightheaded and muscles twitching. It was awful. After four days of it, I took a 1mg XR Xanax last night and I feel so much better. It truly helps with Panic Disorder. I take it exactly like the doctor says. No more or no less."

9 / 10
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47 Report
  • Alex...
  • October 1, 2014

"I used to live with severe panic attacks and overall always full of anxiety.This medication works so well that I feel very normal again.The nightmares, shaking, nausea, panicking, sweaty and restless feeling and anxiety all stopped.I highly recommend this medication for people who genuinely need a Benzodiazapene to regulate the central nervous system.Make sure you don't abruptly stop taking them though as you will feel extremely ill! Do keep your DR. informed of any side effects.They are pretty mild, however can cause weight gain and lower sex drive."

9 / 10
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69 Report
  • Calmer...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • January 3, 2016

"Xanax XR (2mg every morning) has controlled my anxiety and panic attacks since 2008. One of the SSRIs I tried worked (Zoloft), but the side effects were unacceptable. The XR does not have those side effects and keeps working at a constant dose, though I occasionally need .5mg Xanax PRN. Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Mindfulness Meditation have helped, too, but they are not enough."

9 / 10
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61 Report
  • Madi
  • November 14, 2020

"I am a very anxious person. I am diagnosed with panic disorder which has had an extreme impact on my quality of life. I have been on various benzos throughout the years. Namely, xanax for about 5 years. I used to take 4 mg a day and then went down to 3mg a day for the past year due to circumstances outside of my control. I recently discussed with my Dr. How my anxiety has been consuming me and how I think I need to be back on 2mg twice a day. She wanted me to try 1mg of Xanax XR (slow release) a day in addition to the regular 3 mg I take. I find little to no relief with the Xanax XR. If I take it in conjunction with 1mg of regular release, it helps better but I shouldn't have to do that so now next month I have to talk to her yet again. I'm a first time mom and all I want is to live life without anxiety dictating my every thought. Anyone have a similar experience?"

2 / 10
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31 Report
  • zanny...
  • June 26, 2010

"In my opinion this medicine has saved my life. It keeps me calm and relaxed. It has been my miracle drug. I never knew life could be this good again. I try not to remember the life I had before taking Xanax."

10 / 10
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87 Report
  • Michael
  • July 13, 2017

"I take 0.5mg every morning for almost the past 5 years. I use this in conjunction with Lexapro and Trazodone. After being a long time sufferer of anxiety, which then resulted into depression, I finally sought help. My doc prescribed the Xanax XR and it worked immediately, within days I felt good again. I was told that the Lexapro took about 6 weeks to work, which it did and I feel even felt better. Taking the Lexapro I think has helped me not to increase the dosage of the XR, which has helped me with my maintenance. The Trazodone ensures my full night of sleep. Although I don't like having to take all these meds, my life has improved significantly."

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39 Report
  • Gastr...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 20, 2017

"I used to take Klonopin 1 mg once or twice a day as needed, but it would stress me out because I was always trying to figure out if my anxiety was bad enough to need it (I have OCD and general anxiety disorder) so a lot of times I really should have taken it I didn't, which resulted in way more anxiety for me. My psychiatrist changed me to Xanax XR 1 mg to take each morning to help me with that, which worked better, but didn't feel quite strong enough. So after that month, she increased it to Xanax XR 2 mgs each morning instead, and it's been wonderful. I'm much less anxious, and I used to be so anxious constantly that life was just miserable for me."

9 / 10
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38 Report
  • McFly
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 12, 2017

"Switched from xanax 2mg 1/2 to one tab 2x daily (AN for anxiety, PTSD, panic disorder) to Xanax xr 1mg twice daily with .5 xanax once daily AN for panic. The only thing Xanax Xr did was give me waves of relief, along with waves of anxiety also. Went through my xanax script quicker as it helped greatly compared to XR & needed less. Alprazolam is meant for short acting Anxiety relief. XR is marketing scheme, cost 26$ comp. to 0$ for xanax(w/ ins) Clonazepam,or Diazepam is much more suited for longer acting benzos that help with anxiety. Xanax XR makes it more difficult to stop using & get addicted much easier,than safely taking your regular xanax, as can break em apart, if you feel you need less one day, one week, you can wean yourself easier"

3 / 10
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33 Report
  • ZZyzx...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 17, 2013

"This has been very effective at helping me control panic disorder with agoraphobia. I am on 2mg 2 times a day and have been for 5 months or so. I have not found it to be a panacea; I still have occasional attacks that require the intervention of regular alprazolam 0.5mg, but, in general, this medication has been helpful in evening out my feelings of anxiety throughout the course of a typical day and certainly helps to eliminate some of the rebound anxiety that comes with the use of regular alprazolam. "

9 / 10
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46 Report
  • Jojee
  • February 9, 2012

"I started seeing a Psychiatrist about 2 weeks ago and since have been on Xanax XR 1mg everyday. Before that my primary care doc had me on 0.5 mg and only taking half to one a day. At some point I had to start asking for more and explaining that I needed to to take one at least twice a day because I was having multiple panic attacks everyday with every symptom of those you can possible have. My life was miserable until Xanax XR came along. I take it a noon as it seems I am okay until then and it wears off about 8pmish. I know I have only been taking it a couple weeks but its been a life saver for me. I feel normal again...for myself at least."

10 / 10
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49 Report
  • shawn...
  • May 3, 2011

"I've been taking Xanax for 7 yrs. Been taking Xanax XR for the past 2 years. It's great. Before I started taking the XR I was taking 2mg bars 2 or 3x a day and would start to have panic attacks after taking one in about 5 hrs and would always wake up around 4:30-5:00am in severe panic heart pounding, shaking uncontrollably vision distorted sweating and totally paranoid. After taking the 3mg Xanax XR once in the morning all that stopped. "

10 / 10
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51 Report
  • Better
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 3, 2020

"Been on so many med Paxil buspirone Zoloft ‘ lexapro welbroten and five others with such bad side affects. Was taking Xanax er 0.5 in the morning then another in the afternoon still a little anxiety with no side effects. I called the new doctor being I moved to and she don’t want me on Xanax. I am not a Guinea pig ! So if I have to will travel to see my old doctor if I have to"

10 / 10
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21 Report
  • rholl...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 26, 2020

"These Xanax XR time release tablets are extraordinary at controlling panic and anxiety without feeling intoxicated. The best I have tried, resolved issues I had with Xanax IR (immediate release) and valium ! Also helps me sleep great. No side affects I have noticed."

10 / 10
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17 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.