Can You Overdose On Xanax? Dosage, Symptoms, And Treatment

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Anxiety and Depression

Explore more in Anxiety

Related Hubs

Mental Well-Being

A holistic guide to care

Anxiety Treatment and Management

A guide to therapy, medications, and techniques for managing anxiety

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors
Causes & Risk Factors
Related Articles
- Causes & Risk Factors
- Anemia
- Common Triggers
- Caffeine
- Genetics
- Perimenopause
- Dehydration
- Long COVID
- Alcohol
- After Eating
- Trauma
Complications
Complications
Related Articles
- Diarrhea
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Memory Loss
- Waking Up with a Panic Attack
- Rebound Anxiety
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Related Articles
- Diagnosis
Diet
Diet
Related Hub
Nutrition & Supplements
Nutrition tips and tools for supporting mental well-being
Related Articles
- Diet
Home Remedies
Home Remedies
Related Articles
- Home Remedies
- 333 Rule
- Breathing into a Paper Bag
- Cold Shower
- Best Essential Oils
- Melatonin
- CBD Gummies for Anxiety
- Best CBD Oils for Anxiety
- Anxiety Relief Products
- Calming Tips
- Natural Products
- Pressure Points
- Jacobson's Relaxation Technique
- Weighted Blankets
- Psilocybin Mushrooms
- Best Fidget Toys
Management
Management
Related Articles
- Management
- Bowel Movements
- Tips for Social Anxiety
- Yoga Poses
- Breating Exercises
- Lifestyle Tips
- Books
- Podcasts
- Mobile Apps
- Grounding Techniques
- Stop a Panic Attack
- Overthinking
- Marijuana
- Pre-Menstruation
- Tips to Stop Worrying
- Acupuncture
- Anxiety at Night
- Separation from Partner
- Post-Breakup
Prognosis
Prognosis
Related Articles
- Outlook
Related Conditions
Related Conditions
Related Articles
- Nervous Breakdown
- ADHD
- Insomnia
- Social Anxiety and Introversion
- Social Anxiety and Autism
- GERD
- Depression
- Stress
- Vs. Paranoia
- Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack
Symptoms
Symptoms
Related Articles
- Symptoms
- Numb and Tingly
- Sore Throat
- Itching
- Sweating
- Dry Mouth
- Loss of Appetite
- Headaches
- Shaking
- Chest Pain
- Nausea
- Heart Palpitations
- Tiredness
- Effects on the Body
- Brain Fog
- Depersonalization
- Physical Symptoms
Treatment
Treatment
Related Hub
Therapy
Resources for finding and receiving therapy
Related Articles
- Types of Doctors
- Medications
- Benadryl
- Ketamine Therapy
- Promethazine
- Prozac
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Social Anxiety Treatment
- Beta-Blockers
- Trazodone
- How to Find a Therapist
- How to Find Mental Health Services
- Online Psychiatrist Platforms
- Low Cost and Free Online Therapy
- Online Therapy with Insurance
- Talk Therapy
- Online Therapy Services
- Affordable Online Therapy
Types
Types
Related Articles
- Generalized Anxiety
- Social Anxiety
- Anticipatory Anxiety
- Money Anxiety
- Subconscious Anxiety
- Travel Anxiety
- Workplace Anxiety
- Food Anxiety
- Gym Anxiety
- Hypochondria
- Time Anxiety
- In the Morning
- School Anxiety
- Separation Anxiety in Adults
- Sports Anxiety

Can You Overdose on Xanax?

Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH — Written by Jacquelyn Cafasso — Updated on November 6, 2024

Dosage
Interactions
Symptoms
Emergency
Treatment
Takeaway

It’s possible to overdose on Xanax, especially if it’s used alongside other drugs. Mixing Xanax with alcohol can also be fatal.

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. It’s in a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

These drugs work by boosting the activity of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA helps calm the nerves by inducing feelings of relaxation.

The prescribed amount typically ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 milligrams (mg) per day. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose up to 4 mg until your symptoms are controlled.

How much Xanax is considered too much?

The amount that could potentially lead to an overdose varies widely from person to person. It depends on many factors, including:

how your body metabolizes the medication
your weight
your age
if you have any preexisting conditions, like a heart, kidney, or liver condition
if you took it with alcohol or other drugs (including antidepressants)

In clinical studies in rats, the LD50 — the dose that caused half of the rats to die — ranged from 331 to 2,171 mg per kilogram of body weight. This suggests that a person would have to take several thousand times the maximum prescribed dose to fatally overdose.

However, the results of animal studies don’t always translate directly to human specifications. Overdose is possible at any dose higher than your prescribed amount.

People older than 65 have an increased risk for serious side effects, including an overdose. Older adults are typically prescribed lower doses of Xanax because they’re more sensitive to its effects.

In case of emergency

If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

Call 911 or your local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
If it’s safe to do so, try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

What medications does Xanax interact with?

Oftentimes, a fatal Xanax overdose is due in part to the use of other drugs or alcohol.

Your body clears Xanax through a pathway known as cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A). Medications that inhibit CYP3A4 make it harder for your body to break down Xanax, which increases your risk of overdosing.

These medications include:

antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
sedatives
opioid pain medications, like fentanyl or oxycodone
muscle relaxants
nefazodone (Serzone), an antidepressant medication
fluvoxamine, a medication for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
cimetidine (Tagamet), for heartburn

You should always talk with your healthcare professional about any medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements.

This will help your clinician choose the right medication and dosage to reduce your risk of drug interaction.

What are the signs and symptoms of a Xanax overdose?

Overdosing on Xanax or other benzodiazepines can cause mild to severe symptoms. In some cases, death is possible.

Your individual symptoms will depend on:

how much Xanax you took
your body chemistry and how sensitive you are to depressants
whether you took Xanax in conjunction with other drugs

Mild symptoms

In mild cases, you may experience:

confusion
uncontrolled muscle movements
poor coordination
slurred speech
tremors
slow reflexes
rapid heartbeat

Severe symptoms

In severe cases, you may experience:

hallucinations
seizures
chest pain
difficulty breathing
abnormal heart rhythm
coma

Common side effects

As with most medications, Xanax can cause mild side effects even at a low dose. The most common side effects include:

dizziness
drowsiness
headache
blurred vision
trouble sleeping

These effects are usually mild and will go away in a few days or weeks. If you experience these side effects while taking your prescribed dose, it doesn’t mean you’ve overdosed.

However, you should keep your prescribing physician informed about any side effects you’re experiencing. If they’re more severe, your doctor may want to reduce your dosage or switch you to a different medication.

What should you do if you suspect a Xanax overdose?

If you suspect a Xanax overdose has occurred, seek emergency medical care right away. You shouldn’t wait until your symptoms get more severe.

If you’re in the United States, you should contact the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 and await further instructions. You can also receive guidance by using their webPOISONCONTROL online tool.

If symptoms become severe, call your local emergency services. Try to stay calm and keep your body cool while you wait for emergency personnel to arrive. You shouldn’t try to make yourself throw up.

If you’re with someone who has overdosed, try to keep them awake and alert until help arrives. Take them to the emergency room or call an ambulance if they’re:

unconscious
having a seizure
having trouble breathing

How is a Xanax overdose treated?

In the case of an overdose, emergency personnel will transport you to the hospital or emergency room.

They may give you activated charcoal while en route. This can help absorb the medication and potentially alleviate some of your symptoms.

When you arrive at the hospital or emergency room, your doctor may pump your stomach to remove any remaining medication. They may also administer flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist that can help reverse the effects of Xanax.

Intravenous fluids may be necessary to replenish essential nutrients and prevent dehydration. Once your symptoms have subsided, you may be required to stay in the hospital for observation.

The bottom line

Xanax should only be taken under medical supervision. You should never take more than your prescribed dose. Talk with your healthcare professional if you think your dose needs to be increased.

Using Xanax without a prescription or mixing Xanax with other drugs can be extremely dangerous. You can never be sure how Xanax will interact with your individual body chemistry or other medications or drugs you’re taking.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Alprazolam. (2024).https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/source/hsdb/7207
FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. (2020).https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class
Highlights of prescribing information. (2023).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/018276s059lbl.pdf
Kang M, et al. (2023). Benzodiazepine toxicity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482238/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH — Written by Jacquelyn Cafasso — Updated on November 6, 2024

Anxiety and Depression

Related Hubs

Mental Well-Being

Anxiety Treatment and Management

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors

Related Articles

Complications

Related Articles

Diagnosis

Related Articles

Diet

Related Hub

Nutrition & Supplements

Related Articles

Home Remedies

Related Articles

Management

Related Articles

Prognosis

Related Articles

Related Conditions

Related Articles

Symptoms

Related Articles

Treatment

Related Hub

Therapy

Related Articles

Types

Related Articles

How much Xanax is considered too much?

In case of emergency

What medications does Xanax interact with?

What are the signs and symptoms of a Xanax overdose?

Mild symptoms

Severe symptoms

Common side effects

What should you do if you suspect a Xanax overdose?

How is a Xanax overdose treated?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

related stories

Read this next

Contact