Xanax XR for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• sf1...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 25, 2019

"I have been on Xanax XR (extended release) with IR (immediate release) as needed for about 15 years. Xanax XR seems like a different drug than IR because I don't notice that I've taken it, but it dramatically reduces the frequency of panic attacks. I started Depakote ER about 3 years ago and cut my daily XR dose from 2 mg to 1 mg because of sedation (the 2 drugs affect the same receptors). By themselves, XR and Depakote aren't strong enough for my social anxiety, for which I take additional IR and propranolol. If I take enough IR to manage social stress, it affects my ability to recall basic information until it's out of my system. Still, Xanax XR and IR make it possible to function reasonably well."

• rho...
• 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 effects I have noticed."

• Azs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2020

"I was just recently prescribed Xanax XR 1 mg 2 x a day. I had been on Clonazepam 1 mg 4 x a day for at least ten years. But I've been on the drug itself for about 20. The past year or so, it's just stopped working, and I'm pretty sure it's because of the whole tolerance thing. I'm really not sure about the Xanax XR. I've taken Xanax before, but this is definitely different. I don't think it's good for immediate panic relief, and my anxiety is still bad. I'm not in any major discomfort, but I feel very depressed. I'm not liking the Xanax XR, I'm not sure what it is. It's definitely different. I think it's made me more tired and fatigued. Like I don't want to do anything. I'm going to ask my doctor to just go back on my Clonopin. I'm really trying to taper off the benzos."

• Jds...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2018

"I think Xanax XR is helpful for panic disorder and anxiety in general, but it doesn’t last a full 24 hours. It also helps with social anxiety. It is a little pricey without insurance, but if you can find some decent deals out there."

• So...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 3, 2022

"I've been on this since the '90s. I woke up hyperventilating and shaky, so the PCP gave me 10 - .25 as needed. I needed them all the time, so I went to a specialist. It was determined I had Panic Disorder, PTSD, and depression (which goes along with the attacks). My med nurse left 4 years ago, had me on the 2 mg. XR, and the new one has determined I'm coming off Xanax completely. I have 90-day scripts, and she orders 30. She has me on 1 mg. XR and .5 mg XR, and she still hounds me. I have always taken as prescribed, I don't drink, and I have always led a clean life. I'm trying to find someone who will order 90 days since I almost ran out last month. I get jumpy but no chest pains (yet). I don't like taking pills, but I don't like feeling out of control. I've been living in this body for 74 years, and I know what works. Nobody else does. I have no side effects but no panic attacks either. It works."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 3, 2020

"Been on so many meds: Paxil, buspirone, Zoloft, Lexapro, Welbutrin, and five others, with such bad side effects. 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 I moved to, and she doesn't want me on Xanax. I am not a guinea pig! So if I have to, I will travel to see my old doctor if I have to."

• rho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2020

"My doctor prescribed Xanax IR for my condition, high anxiety. After other medications, for instance, Valium or Librium, were helpful but failed to control my overwhelming anxiety and panic without high doses. Xanax XR was relatively new at that time but was very helpful in controlling my condition with the help of smaller doses of Xanax IR. That's when my life came into focus. I've found that this medication was not well understood, thus avoided by many physicians. This medication is much less intoxicating with far superior results."

• hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 15, 2017

"I take it at night in order to sleep because of a bad insomnia side effect from a MAOI. But now, if I miss just one night of the med, I wake up with paralyzing anxiety - chest tightness and heart palpitations. This drug does its job most of the time, but it creates physical and psychological dependency and an AM hangover. I am looking to wean off of this soon once my new psychiatrist introduces other med changes. I see other users below saying they cut them in half - my psychiatrist said that is dangerous because of the XR properties. That is why the XR pills are not scored. I repeat - regular use of this med creates dependency."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2020

"Xanax regular kind worked so well for me and my panic disorder. Now my doctor put me on the Xanax ER, and it does not work at all. I don't know why the doctor changed me from regular Xanax when it was working so well."

• Gre...
• May 13, 2011

"I have been on 0.5 mg (2x daily) of the generic form of Xanax XR for about 5 months. I still get anxiety building up in my chest here and there, but have had no side effects or panic attacks since I started. I'm a little worried about getting off of it eventually, though. For now, though, it is a miracle medicine. Now if only I could find the same kind of medicine for my depression!"

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2023

"I was given regular 0.5 mg Xanax 3 times a day, and it worked, but the problem was that 6 hours later, my panic attacks came back into my body like a flood, which was scary. Then I asked to try the extended-release version on the same dose, and let me tell you, it’s so much better. There’s no rush of anxiety or panic attacks after 6 hours. There is such a smooth transition into the next dose, which I wasn’t getting before on regular Xanax. I had no side effects. My insurance only covered the regular Xanax. I had to pay out of pocket $30 for the extended-release for 180 tablets, which was fine with me."

• sle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2020

"I've been on 1 mg Xanax XR for a little while now, maybe around 9 months. It has GREATLY reduced my amount of anxiety and panic attacks. I take it before bedtime. I used to have panic attacks multiple times a day and until I eventually passed out into sleep. I haven't had issues with tolerance, but it did take my body a while to adjust to a benzodiazepine since this was my first time. Lots of sleepy weeks! But after that, I didn't have any complaints. I can still have attacks, but that's just life sometimes. Medication isn't a cure-all. I don't personally feel like this drug has an addictive quality for me, but I intend to keep using it for its prescribed purposes."

• Jki...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2021

"I have severe panic disorder and anxiety, and I can't say enough good things about this formulation. I'm 45, and I passed the stage of trying to get high, I am looking for relief and a better life. I was on 2 mg tid (3 a day), and a new physician put me on XR 1 mg bid (2 a day). I have relief around the clock. They have been a blessing. I'm curious about the best generic, I was on Greenstone and recently changed to a different med. There's a difference, definitely per my pharmacist. Anyone have a suggestion for a great generic? Thank you, and I pray you are all dealing with this personal hell as best as possible."

• Dop...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 21, 2021

"I was prescribed 1 mg alprazolam XR off and on for 6 years. Overall, it served its purpose. It completely diminished anxiety and social phobias. I became the biggest intellectual while taking this medication. However, it is very strong, you do get tired, and at times, at higher doses, you lose your inhibitions. It becomes possible to partake in risky behavior as well. Nonetheless, I was not always fond of the feelings provided by benzodiazepines. My addiction was to opiates, and I never felt euphoric from alprazolam XR, so I did not take them regularly or become addicted. I only took them when I felt I was having a panic attack or an anxiety issue. I have read alprazolam XR is hard to kick. I advise you do not take this medication more than two or three times a month, and even that is pushing it. It’s the best benzodiazepine by far in my opinion for social anxiety, but it can also be your worst enemy if not used properly."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2022

"I've been trying the XR, but I'm gonna ask to get changed back to my regular Xanax. The XR doesn't work very well for me, especially if I'm having a major panic attack. But what works for some people may not work for others. But for me, the regular works better. So I don't give XR a high rating."

• Haf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2023

"I take 1mg XR and have had no adverse reactions. The initial sleepiness is gentle and goes away. The generic form is very easy to swallow. I don't feel as anxious as I usually do. I'm able to think through the process of becoming anxious and see it for what it is. I am able to make a plan to usually avoid falling into the anxious mindset. I use a pharmacy discount card and it reduces the cost by 75%."

• use...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2022

"A word of caution: know the risks if you are prescribed this daily for an extended period of time. I was on Alprazolam ER for around a year, 2 mg/day, for good reason. The medication worked extremely well for the first 6-8 months and helped me live a normal life. Predictably, after some time, my body became accustomed to the dose, and I felt the positive effects gradually wear off. My doctor and I decided to taper me off this medicine, and it was...much harder than I expected. Weeks (months) of my life lost dreading the next decrease in dose, aches all over, clouded thinking, trouble sleeping, irritability to the max, etc. I do not regret taking this medicine and will continue to utilize it occasionally as needed, but do NOT plan on taking it for extended periods of time ever again. Be aware and prepared that if you commit to taking this daily for an extended period of time, stopping will be extremely physically and mentally taxing."

• Gec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2020

"I just started on Xanax XR 0.50 mg prescribed as twice a day but will do one a day. The other did not last long. Using Xanax XR from CVS as the generics are not that good. My insurance would not pay. Also 5 mg Lexapro so I can get off the Xanax. Side effects: sleeping, dry mouth, etc. 6 days on the Lexapro and 1st day on the XR. Do not want to get addicted. I am 73 years old with anxiety and depression. A friend in the military gave me some real Adderall. Broke in half for 10 mg or less. No anxiety or depression, motivation. Lots of energy. Will cost me $280 a month for the real Adderall. The doctor did give me a generic 10 mg, did not do anything. Wish me luck."

• ror...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2018

"I’ve been taking Xanax XR for 6 months, and it’s changed my life."

• plh...
• January 5, 2010

"This medicine really works in controlling anxiety and panic attacks."

• her...
• February 23, 2011

"Very good medication. Eliminated panic attacks. Was on Valium. Xanax works a little better for me."

• FDM...
• June 18, 2009

"Best medicine I have taken for panic disorder. Started May 17th and have not had a panic attack since. Want to start weaning off. Concerned about withdrawal symptoms."

• Mak...
• January 23, 2018

"I would not be able to function on a daily basis."

• Bob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2023

"This medicine is one of the best I have taken. It helped me big time. I didn't have any panic attacks, and my nerves were great for the time as well. I am grateful for Xanax XR."