Xanax XR and Drowsiness: What Users Say

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

For Panic Disorder "Makes me very sleepy, which is hard to deal with, but worth it 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 doctor 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."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2009

For Anxiety "Have been taking for a few months now with great results. Little dosage changing. I tried SSRIs and other medications without much luck other than feeling down or drained. Used Trazodone for sleep, I was living like a zombie. With Xanax, the sedation wore off after roughly 5-10 days, which was the only thing I can complain of. I have been doing better at school, less worrisome tics, better sleep instead of waking up screaming. Longer acting was better for me than a rollercoaster ride of taking lorazepam or Xanax (same dose worked wonderfully for 6 years), and now I just found that this time of my life, I needed something long-acting that I wouldn't have to think about my anxiety or worry about it anymore."

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

For Panic Disorder "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."

• Ame...
• March 2, 2010

For Anxiety "The medicine itself I didn't have an issue with, although I still prefer Klonopin, but it was the withdrawal I couldn't handle. I was on this medication for two months, and since, like I previously mentioned, I decided to go back on Klonopin. I stopped taking the Xanax XR. When I did, I felt like a bus ran over me. I felt shaky, drowsy, and like I'd been out drinking the night before (which I haven't done in 10 years). It really wasn't worth the withdrawal."

• Tim...
• December 17, 2011

"I am happy for all the success stories above, glad it worked for you. Myself, I found it to be a bit much. The 0.5 mg did nothing, 1 mg just made me dopey, but the 2 mg simply conked me out. Could not function during the day. Found that Valium was better for me. (Condition: severe anxiety/paranoia) claustrophobia, got REALLY tired of having to use stairs to ascend 5, 6, 7 floors. Elevators were out of the question."