Does Xanax Lower Blood Pressure? What To Know About Side Effects

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Can Xanax Lower Your Blood Pressure?

Medically reviewed by Ami Patel PharmD, BCPS — Written by Carly Vandergriendt — Updated on October 30, 2024

About Xanax
Low blood pressure
Typical effects
Dosage
Time to work
Addiction
Interactions
Medical care
Takeaway

Xanax can have many side effects, one being low blood pressure. It’s generally not recommended to take Xanax in the long term because of this effect. Follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s orders while taking this drug.

Xanax is a common prescription anti-anxiety drug with the generic name alprazolam. It’s a mild tranquilizer that can calm your nerves and relax you.

What is Xanax and when is it prescribed?

Xanax is part of a class of sedative drugs called benzodiazepines that work by:

slowing down central nervous system (CNS) activity
causing a sense of calm
slowing breathing
relaxing muscles

Xanax is typically used to treat:

anxiety
panic disorders
anxiety associated with depression

Although Xanax isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following conditions, it’s sometimes prescribed off-label for:

insomnia
depression
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

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Can Xanax lower your blood pressure?

Xanax slows down essential functions such as your heart rate and breathing. It can also temporarily lower your blood pressure.

If you take Xanax before getting your blood pressure tested, your reading might be lower than usual.

A 2023 systematic review of seven older studies found that benzodiazepines may have antihypertensive (blood pressure-lowering) properties in the short term.

Xanax may have similar effects over the long term. A 2023 Australian cohort study using data from 2016 to 2018 reported that among people over age 65, long-term use of benzodiazepines was associated with lower blood pressure.

Similarly, a 2019 study involving participants with a median age of 63.6 reported that alprazolam use was associated with a slightly reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events among people who had high blood pressure.

These events include heart attacks and strokes.

Taking Xanax over the long term is generally not recommended, as it can be habit-forming.

What are other common side effects of Xanax?

The side effects of Xanax can differ depending on the condition you’re taking it for:

Panic disorder	Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
drowsiness	drowsiness
fatigue	lightheadedness
trouble with balance and coordiation	dry mouth
changes in appetite	increased saliva production
irritability	trouble with balance and coordination

Unlike other psychotropic drugs, Xanax isn’t associated with a euphoric “high,” though it may leave you with a general sense of well-being.

If you’re taking Xanax for off-label use, such as for insomnia, it may help you fall asleep.

Depending on the formulation of Xanax (immediate-release, extended-release, or disintegrating tablets), the effects can last between 2 and 27 hours.

Factors such as the dose taken, your weight, age, and gender can also affect how long the drug works in your system.

What is the recommended dosage of Xanax?

The recommended dosage can vary from person to person and the condition you’re using it for.

Your doctor will let you know how much Xanax to take and how often you should take it. It’s very important to follow your doctor’s directions.

The starting range for GAD is 0.25 to 0.5 milligrams (mg) three times a day for the immediate-release formulation.

The starting range for panic disorder is 0.5 mg three times a day for the immediate-release formulation.If using the extended-release formulation for panic disorder, the starting range is usually 0.5 to 1 mg once daily.

Xanax is available in various oral formulations and dosages:

Oral disintegrating tablets: 0.25 to 2 mg
Extended-release: 0.5 to 3 mg
Oral solution: 1 mg per milliliter (mg/mL)

How often you need to take a dose depends on the condition you’re taking it for and the formulation. Don’t take more than the recommended dose.

Your doctor may increase your dose as necessary. Never take a different dose without first speaking to your doctor.

If you forget to take your medication, take it as soon as you remember.

If you only remember to take it close to the time you’ll be taking a new dose, skip the dose you forgot and take the medication as you typically would. Do not double up on the dose.

How long does Xanax take to work?

You may start feeling the effects of Xanax, depending on the formulation, as quickly as 15 to 30 minutes. But the amount of time it takes to feel the full benefits can be longer:

Immediate-release: 1 to 2 hours
Disintegrating tablets: 1.5 to 2 hours
Extended-release: 9 hours

Other factors such as your age, body mass, metabolism, and other medications you’re taking can also influence how long it takes Xanax to work.

Can Xanax be addicting?

Xanax poses a risk of addiction and withdrawal and can be habit-forming. It’s possible to overdose on Xanax.

If you take it regularly, you may need a higher dose over time to feel the same effects. If you suddenly stop taking it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Is Xanax safe to take with other medications?

Xanax can interact with other medications, including:

antibiotics
antidepressants
antifungals
antihistamines
cimetidine
cyclosporine
diltiazem
nifedipine
sedatives and muscle relaxants
seizure medications
sleeping pills
St. John’s wort

You should avoid alcohol while taking Xanax. Taking both together could increase your risk for serious side effects, including overdose.

When to seek medical care

You should seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know experiences the following symptoms after taking Xanax:

confusion
difficulty breathing
diminished reflexes
loss of consciousness
difficulty with coordination
seizure
coma

If you’re concerned that you or someone you know may have taken too much Xanax, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

The takeaway

Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It slows down central nervous system activity, which can lead to a temporary drop in blood pressure.

Xanax may also lower your blood pressure over the long term, although taking this medication regularly isn’t recommended.

It’s important to take Xanax as directed. Xanax can be habit-forming and addictive and can cause withdrawal. If you have questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

Anxiety disorders. (2024).https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
Begum M, et al. (2023). Impact of long-term management with sleep medications on blood pressure: An Australian national study.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10175978/
Drugs@FDA: FDA-approved drugs. (2023).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=browseByLetter.page&productLetter=X&ai=0
George TT, et al. (2023). Alprazolam.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538165/
Solanki B, et al. (2023). Benzodiazepines reduce blood pressure in short term: A systematic review and meta-analysis.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11906-023-01256-2
Xanax-alprazolam tablet. (2023).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=388e249d-b9b6-44c3-9f8f-880eced0239f&type=display
Xanax-alprazolam tablet, extended release. (2023).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=aa58fff3-c297-49be-838b-599c32ad9835&type=display
Yeh C-B, et al. (2019). Association of alprazolam with major cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jep.13254

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Medically reviewed by Ami Patel PharmD, BCPS — Written by Carly Vandergriendt — Updated on October 30, 2024

Related Topics

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What is Xanax and when is it prescribed?

Can Xanax lower your blood pressure?

What are other common side effects of Xanax?

What is the recommended dosage of Xanax?

How long does Xanax take to work?

Can Xanax be addicting?

Is Xanax safe to take with other medications?

When to seek medical care

The takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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