How Long Does Xanax Last? Timeline, Withdrawal, And Expiration

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeExplore more in Anxiety

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors
Causes & Risk Factors
Related Articles
- Causes Overview
- Dehydration
- Triggers
- Caffeine
- Long COVID
Home Remedies
Home Remedies
Related Articles
- Home Remedies Overview
- Homeopathic Treatment
- Herbs
- Magnesium
- Melatonin
- Passionflower
- Saffron
- Ear seeds
- Hemp Oil
- Fidget Toys
- Best Supplements
- Weighted Blankets
- Valerian Root
- Benadryl
- Kratom
- Acupuncture
Management
Management
Related Articles
- Management Overview
- EFT Tapping
- Without Medication
- How to Stop a Panic Attack
- 4-7-8 Breathing
- Foods that Help
- Ease Throat Tightness
- Service Dogs
- Sour Candy for Panic Attacks
- Breathing Exercises
- Journaling
- Disability Benefits
- Exercises
- 333 Rule
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Box Breathing
- Support Groups
- Coping Tips
- Best Books
- Mantras
- Support During Panic Attack
- Coping Methods
- Yoga
- In Black Communities
- Drawing
- Best Jobs
- Affirmations
- Sleep Tips
- Support for Children
Prognosis
Prognosis
Related Articles
- Outlook Overview
- Is It Fatal?
- What Makes It Worse
- Does Everyone Have Anxiety?
Symptoms
Symptoms
Related Articles
- Symptoms Overview
- Anxiety-Avoidance Cycle
- Shortness of Breath
- Anxiety Attack
- Dizziness
- Brain Fog
- Rash
- Itching
- Jaw Tension
- Panic vs. Anxiety Attack
- Facial Numbness
- Lip Biting
- Heart Palpitations
- Shaking
- Numbness
- Fatigue
- Physical Symptoms
- Appetite Changes
- Headache
- Nervous Breakdown
- Tongue Tingling
- Nausea
Treatment
Treatment
Related Articles
- Treatment Overview
- Anxiety Medications
- Beta-Blockers
- Medication for Anxiety and Depression
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Propranolol
- Hydroxyzine
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Ketamine
- Buspar
- Social Anxiety Medication
- Antipsychotics
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
- Best Online CBT Platforms
Types
Types
Related Articles
- Types Overview
- In the Morning
- Separation
- Driving
- Anticipatory
- Debilitating
- Parental
- Hyperstimulation
- Panic Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Existential
- Travel
- Social
- Trait vs. State Anxiety
- Situational
- Political
- Hospital
- Types of Social Anxiety
- Eco-Anxiety
- Pathological
- Free-Floating
- Anxiety Disorders
- Anxiety in Children
- High Functioning
- Health
- Before Period
- Dating
- School
- Friendship
- Surgery
- At Night
- Dental
- In Males
- Hangover
- Test
- Gym
Complications
Complications
Related Articles
- Left Arm Pain
- Hot Flashes
- Acid Reflux
- Anxiety Poop
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Inflammation
- Anxiety Dreams
Related Conditions
Related Conditions
Related Articles
- Vs. Depression
- Psychosis
- Vs. Stress
- Tinnitus
- Panic vs. Heart Attack
- AVPD vs. Social Anxiety
- Vs. Paranoia
- Adjustment Disorder

How long does Xanax last?

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP — Written by Jennifer Berry — Updated on February 2, 2023

How long it stays
When it takes effect
Factors affecting timeline
Withdrawal timeline
Expiration
Summary

This drug has a box warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Taking alprazolam with opioid drugs increases a person’s risk of severe sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma, and even death. People should not take alprazolam with an opioid unless there are no other available treatment options.
Using alprazolam, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if a person stops taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal can be life threatening.
Taking this drug can also lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse of alprazolam increases the risk of overdose and death.
A person should only take this drug as their doctor prescribes. People can talk with a healthcare provider if they have any concerns about safely taking this drug.

Alprazolam (Xanax) concentration peaks in the bloodstream 1–2 hours after consumption. Typically, the body eliminates half of the drug after 11 hours, but this varies between people.

Doctors often prescribe Xanax to treat acute episodes of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It is one of the most common medications for these conditions and belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, or benzos.

Xanax works by increasing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain. This is a neurotransmitter that increases feelings of calmness.

This article discusses how long the effects of Xanax last, the timeline for withdrawal, and the various factors that affect this timing. It also describes when Xanax expires and how to safely dispose of old medication.

How long does Xanax stay in the body?

Close up of a person holding a box of xanax — BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

As with many drugs, Xanax stays in the body long after a person stops feeling its effects. Experts use a half-life measurement to determine how long a drug stays in the body. A drug’s half-life is the time it takes the body to eliminate half of it.

The half-life of Xanax is 8–16 hours in a healthy person, with a mean half-life of 11 hours. This is shorter than that of many other benzodiazepines.

However, the term “half-life” can be misleading. This is because it takes four to five half-lives for the body to eliminate a drug. This means that it may take an average of 44–55 hours, or about 2 days, for Xanax to leave the body.

In one 2019 study, researchers reported that they could detect Xanax in a person’s saliva for up to 2.5 days after their last dose.

When does Xanax start to work?

The body absorbs Xanax quickly after a person takes it. Peak levels in the blood occur 1–2 hours after taking a dose. However, the person will feel the effects before levels peak, usually within 1 hour.

What affects how Xanax works?

The half-life of Xanax can vary from person to person. Several factors can affect how quickly the body processes it.

Some factors that may affect the half-life of Xanax include:

being an older adult
being of Asian descent
smoking
having obesity
having alcohol use disorder
having kidney problems
having liver problems

These factors can increase the time it takes for the body to eliminate Xanax.

Which drugs can interfere with processing Xanax?

Some medications reduce the activity of CYP3A, a liver enzyme that helps process Xanax and eliminates it from the body. These medications are called CYP3A inhibitors.

Taking a CY3PA inhibitor with Xanax means the body will take longer to process the drug. This can cause Xanax to build up in the blood and increase the risk of serious side effects.

The following are some examples of CYP3A inhibitors:

birth control pills
azole antifungal agents, including ketoconazole and itraconazole
cimetidine, which reduces stomach acid and treats digestive issues
antidepressants such as fluvoxamine and nefazodone

It is possible that Xanax could interact with some other medications and substances, including:

diltiazem
isoniazid
macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin and clarithromycin

Xanax and opioids

Opioids are prescription pain relievers that block pain signals in the brain. Xanax can interact with opioids, and the interactions can be severe. The risk of severe adverse effects is high in both prescription opioids and nonprescription opioids, such as heroin.

Prescription opioids include:

fentanyl
morphine
codeine
oxycodone
hydrocodone

Taking Xanax and opioids together can cause a fatal overdose, in addition to severe interactions. This is because both opioids and Xanax slow a person’s breathing, and combining them may cause breathing to stop altogether.

If a person has been taking an opioid pain reliever, they should talk with a healthcare professional before taking Xanax. Likewise, anyone taking Xanax should speak with a doctor before taking an opioid.

How long does Xanax withdrawal last?

When a person stops taking Xanax after their body has become used to receiving it, the lack of the drug can cause a range of physical and mental symptoms. These are called withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms for short-acting benzodiazepines such as Xanax vary in severity and duration depending on how long a person took medication and at what dosage.

Xanax withdrawal can be dangerous. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

headaches
sweating
sensitivity to light or sound
muscle twitching
muscle cramps
insomnia and other sleep issues
blurred vision
diarrhea
difficulty concentrating
panic attacks
anxiety
seizure

A doctor can help a person gradually reduce their Xanax dosage. This is known as tapering. Tapering can minimize the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms, including seizures.

When does Xanax expire?

A bottle of Xanax should carry an expiration date and the date that the pharmacist filled the prescription.

Expiration dates indicate how long the drug is safe and effective to take. This depends on when the manufacturer made the drug.

Disposing of expired Xanax

As Xanax carries a high risk of dependency, it is important to dispose of expired or unwanted pills correctly.

In the United States, correct disposal means taking the medication to an authorized Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances disposal location. A person can find a local location using the DEA’s online system. There are also drug take-back days at select times of the year.

Summary

Xanax can be an effective treatment for short-term anxiety and panic attacks if a person follows their doctor’s guidance.

Factors such as other medications and certain health conditions can affect how Xanax works and how long it stays in the body.

Anyone with an anxiety or panic disorder should work with a healthcare professional to develop a safe and effective treatment program.

Mental Health
Anxiety / Stress
Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Psychology / Psychiatry
Drugs

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP — Written by Jennifer Berry — Updated on February 2, 2023

Latest news

Eating takeout food too often may increase cardiovascular disease risk
Between sleep and exercise, choose sleep, research suggests
To keep your heart healthy, try drinking more orange juice
Eating kimchi daily for 12 weeks may help regulate immune system
Supplement mix helps reduce tumor aggressiveness in deadly brain cancer

Related Coverage

What is the difference between clonazepam and Xanax?Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D.
Clonazepam and Xanax both belong to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. They are quite similar, but people use them them for different reasons…
READ MORE
What to know about Xanax addiction treatmentMedically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP
Some people may need addiction treatment for alprazolam, available as Xanax, which is part of a group of sedatives called benzodiazepines.
READ MORE
Can coffee protect against depression? The answer may be complicated
The so-called coffee paradox outlines how caffeine appears to protect against depression, but blocks adenosine receptors, which are key in two major…
READ MORE
Psychedelics may 'rewire' brain to improve depression treatment: study
Scientists have found that the psychedelic DOI helped 'rewire' the brains of rats and influenced a brain pathway key to mental health that may improve…
READ MORE
Antibiotics and 6 other medications linked to disrupted gut microbiome
A new study has found seven types of prescription medications can have a lasting impact on the gut microbiome, which can persist for several years…
READ MORE

Tag » How Long Does Xanax Last In A Day

Health Conditions

Health Products

News

Original Series

Podcasts

General Health

Health Tools

Quizzes

About Medical News Today

Find Community

Follow Us

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors

Related Articles

Home Remedies

Related Articles

Management

Related Articles

Prognosis

Related Articles

Symptoms

Related Articles

Treatment

Related Articles

Types

Related Articles

Complications

Related Articles

Related Conditions

Related Articles

How long does Xanax stay in the body?

When does Xanax start to work?

What affects how Xanax works?

Which drugs can interfere with processing Xanax?

Xanax and opioids

How long does Xanax withdrawal last?

When does Xanax expire?

Disposing of expired Xanax

Summary

Latest news

Related Coverage

Contact