How much Xanax can I safely take?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2003
How much Xanax can I safely take?
7
Thu, 06-02-2005 - 10:48pm
Hi everyone, I am going on a flight to Hawaii in 3 weeks and it is my worst nightmare coming to life. I have serious panic attacks and need to be on Xanax to handle to flight so I don't freak out. How much can I safely take? Any input would be great. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-02-2005 - 11:02pm

I'd ask your dr about that. I handle it very well, it doesn't knock me out at all so I can take it as early as 2hrs apart but I'm sure that's not recommended. Most meds are 4 - 6 hrs apart so really I think your dr would have the best suggestion for you.


Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 06-02-2005 - 11:29pm
Butterfly The first time I took xanax I took .25 and felt very relaxed!
I think you should ask your doctor. It depends if you have ever taken it before also!
Have a wonderful time in Hawaii!! =0) Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2003
Thu, 06-02-2005 - 11:42pm
Well, I seem to need a lot because my doc suggested I take 1mg ahead of time to "practice" and it doesn't seem to be affecting me that much other than feeling tired. I don't know. I am scared! The trip, including layovers will take 13 hours. Yikes. I am forcing myself to go though because if I can do this, I can do anything!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 06-03-2005 - 8:30am
Hi! Nice to see you on the board. I, too, would check with the dr. to see what the upper dosage would be. Have you been taking it right along? It is possible that you have developed a tolerance to it with long term use. Many in our community have fears & although meds can help, other methods work too. Maybe you could try taking a CD player with music that relaxes you. Positive or uplifting reading material may help. When I had awful anxiety years ago, I read my Bible through subway rides. I never did have to take the xanax I had stashed in my pocket. Sometimes we can make mountains out of molehills. KWIM? Please keep in touch & let us know what happens. It sounds like it will be a great trip. Wishing you success. Sending P&PT's your way. Good luck. (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 06-03-2005 - 5:33pm

Xanax is classified as a mild drug that is generally very safe for most people. However, you need to find out what is your best dose for the situation you will be in. In low anxiety situations, a low dose might work just fine, but in a high anxiety situation, you might need twice as much or even more. More info here is required. Have you taken Xanax before? If not, you need to experiment with it BEFORE your flight to find out how much you might need. Lots of people get very calm with only .25mg, but others might need three or four times that much. I take .5mg (that's half a miligram) before going to the doctor so my blood pressure reading won't be high. But that's just me. If you don't have time to experiment, do what my son did - take .25 mg an hour before the flight is scheduled. If you don't feel calm within about 45 minutes, take another .25mg. Go from there. You can take more during your flight if necessary. Also, if you have an empty stomach it will effect you quicker and more strongly than if you just had a meal. Xanax is safe in pretty high doses (as long as you have someone with you in case you are unsteady on your feet). I hope this helps.

Randi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 06-03-2005 - 5:41pm

I'm posting again because I hadn't read the previous posts on the thread yet - just the original one. Wow, 1 mg and it only made you feel a bit relaxed? You have quite a tolerance! If I took 1mg all at once, I'd be pretty much out of it! But as previously posted, it depends on how long and how often you've been taking it. Then again, you may just be one of these people that can take a very high dose without much reaction. Suggestion: If you've been taking it all along, skip a few days (if you can) before your flight, or even take a reduced dose for that period of time, and you'll be surprised at how much better it works after not having had it for a while. If I go three or four days without it, I've noticed its much more effective. On me, anyway. Just take extra tablets along with you. That way if you need it, you'll have it. If you start to get nervous while on the flight, you can always take more. You may find that you don't though. Sometimes just having it in your pocket is enough of a security blanket to see you through.

Randi

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2003
Sat, 06-04-2005 - 2:27am

Yeah, I'm going to stop taking it for now to reset my tolerance. I have done this periodically and seems to work fine for me. I also seem to have a high metabolism when it comes to my meds wearing off of me. I find I need wears off in 4-6 hours, my doc wants me to take it every 12! She's the crazy one, not me! ;) Anyhow, I was taking it to help me sleep for awhile but I have something else for that now so I can lay off the Xanax for a bit. I'm posting a travel blog at http://panicprincess.blogspot.com. Anyone who is interested in my progress is welcome to tune in and comment.

Thanks for all the good comments!