I started xanax xr .5 mg twice a day a couple days ago for anxiety and panic attacks due to stress and depression. I feel tired and foggy all the time. I also am having memory issues. How long does this last and will it go away ?
Xanax - How long does the sedation and fog feeling last?
Question posted by mom of 5 on 11 Aug 2010
Last updated on 17 October 2019 by AnnaTheParamedic
7 Answers
AnnaTheParamedic
17 Oct 2019
I am a professional in Emergency Medicine and I also take the drug. I have been prescribed alprazolam for almost ten years for PTSD that is untreatable with talk therapy and other non narcotic drugs.
Xanax is a wonderful drug if taken correctly and should only be used short term if that is possible in your situation, as long term you deal with the repetitions of withdrawal seizures and insomnia say if you were to not have a dose (ex you lose your meds or emergency aren't home/don't have them with you for longer than 24 hrs, etc.)
Beyond that, this feeling Should go away pretty fast. Tolerance to this drug literally takes DAYS to doses to lower or raise. I went from my first dose of 0.5 at 19 years old (which made me feel this way as well for about two weeks) to 2mg in a month, to 2mg next month, to 2mg 3x a day.. That also said Most people wish the opposite with this drug. I'd go as far to say that just to get the medication to work again as it once did I've had to lower my dose to 1mg a day for two weeks (so as not to have withdrawal effects that are life threatening as seizures etc) and raise again.
When you do get used to it, try to take as low and as little when you do. Watch how often you take it if you can stand to go without it, Def do. I hate to say my Dr is an idiot, but Years later I find out this drug is only for short term use (6 mo. or less)... And if taken longer, you are stuck with all the yucky side effects of weaning off or switching to a drug of the same family with longer half life (ex klonopin) to help you off.
If I can help any further with anyone on this drug pls ask as I basically am a Xanax dictionary. Def saying, use caution and keep the dose low as long as you can! The drowsy forgetful feeling passes very fast as your body gets a tolerance which can be your best or worst enemy. Good luck!
Speced
5 July 2019
Omg. Was prescribed. This for anxiety and depression as my husband died two weeks ago. I am a zombie. Staggering around can’t see well. Shaky. Nervous. Get off this drug. Who would choose to feel this way ? Grief is better
Speced
5 July 2019
Awful drug.
Jjjihd
8 Oct 2017
If possible, please talk to your healthcare provider and see if you can work together to find a different medication. In my experience, the foggy mind, exhaustion & memory problems do not diminish, but in fact get worse. Also, as mentioned in another response, becoming dependent/addicted to this drug creates many unpleasant difficulties and withdrawal is dangerous & often requires medical assistance in a residential program.
Believeinyourself11
2 May 2015
Everyone who reads this : GET OFF XANAX. I don't care what the doctors say, unless it's a dire emergency, don't take this stupid drug, in literal sense. It will put you to your lowest function, to where you have no memory and are a complete drone, even after a couple sporadic nights of fun. Getting through Xanax withdrawal is painful, getting through Xanax recovery is saddening, just knowing how far down you've gone. You can't think, you literally have no ideas [imagine that night 4 months of your last Xanax where you finally have an idea, then imagine having to then form two ideas, then three, then somehow put the ideas together? Xanax recovery is something no one should go through.] Unless your heart stopped because of some intense anxiety, then don't take it. I forgot to mention, the first months to years after Xanax, anxiety will be much worse even the most simple things. Then imagine how bad anxiety will be when you have a real panic attack. Don't take this drug.
Believeinyourself11
2 May 2015
And don't assume each step in the Xanax recovery is anything simple. Each step is a work effort, possibly taking days for each step... Horrible drug, doctors prescribe for which they know little about.
everybodyloveszac
3 Oct 2016
Cmon man. Unless you're abusing the medication and are taking too high of a dose, or don't need the drug to begin with sure, I see your point. I don't think you have a clue as to how bad ones anxiety can get and how when used correctly and under supervision, can people from going off the deep end. Do a little more research into anxiety and the very REAL symptoms people experience.
Inactive
24 June 2017
I've been taking xanax prescribed for 9 years.
I was prescribed .5mg 3xday for first 2 yrs.
Then 1mg 3x a day for the next 7 yrs.
I now take 1mg 2x a day.
The key to xanax is once you start don't keep increasing dose.
AND DON'T EVER STOP TAKING IT.
It's a drug you will need to take the REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Im 39yrs old I got diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 30.
So for cases where the patient has a EXTREME CONDITION ITS A LIFE SAVER.
Xanax decreases terrible side effects of my Parkinson's meds.
Xanax gets a bad name because it's not a BIG PHARMA DRUG ITS CHEAP.
Drs want everyone on the newest drugs that don't have a generic option.
They throw around THE NEWEST ANTI DEPRESSANT ALL DAY. But God forbid someone has a xanax.
Read between the lines its all about the $$$
Joycecombs
6 Oct 2017
I've been on 1 mg.xanax 3 times a day for last 3 years. It does help me. But I was on .5 and cause of anxiety Dr increased to 1 mg. Total of 7 years I have been on Xanax. Now I'm scared to try to decrease cause of all I read from other people. Do I have to go to a rehab to decrease?
Believeinyourself11
6 Oct 2017
Make sure the rehab has successful experience in Xanax users.
Also, the guy who raged: I said don't take unless you have intense anxiety
EAM517
5 April 2018
This the most ignorant comment. I’ve been a sufferer of Generalized Anxiety Disorder for 15-20 years. Xanax is the only things besides diet and exercise that allows me to lead a normal life. I don’t abuse it. I take .5mg 1-2 times a day for the past 8 years. I’ve also stopped taking it multiple times due to insurance issues, pregnancy etc.. NOT ONCE, did I have withdrawal symptoms. I cut back responsibly under a doctors supervision. Please don’t take your negative experience or the experience of someone you know that abused this drug and make other paranoid. People like myself use Xanax to lead a normal life without panic and desperation to feel less anxious about every. little. thing. Stick with the facts and keep your negativity to yourself! For everyone else-My Dad has been taking it for 30 YEARS!!! 30! Was a professional and NEVER abused or increased his dosage, worked fine
Speced
13 July 2019
I took one last night. Slept 3 hrs and am drugged. Get off Xanax while you can !,
I hate this feeling so much. Body tired brain awake ! Horrible
vgunderson1
22 Feb 2013
I take 1MG XANAX XR. Initially I felt like you do but side effects wear off in about a week. You won't notice this huge feeling of happiness or euphoria on this med but you will notice you no longer for anxious throughout the day nor do you think about having panic or anxiety attacks anymore out of the blue. The short lasting XANAX (usually .25mg) is what I carry if I do happen to get anxious and it can't be controlled with my XANAX X, because it's quick acting. VERY rarely do I have to take my immed. effective "emergency" Xanax, though because the XR really keeps my attacks at bay.
Tytan
1 Nov 2014
Do you find this works better then Lorazepam/ativan. I get panic and anxiety attacks all the time. And I am so tired and scared
ktvs11
2 Oct 2011
Maybe you could try lowering your dose? i literally take half of .25 & it seems to do the trick for a few hrs & calm me without putting me in a fog and tired!
arcanoidcyst16
12 Aug 2010
If I am not mistaken.I think Xanax Extended Release last 24 hours.So you should not be feeling any anxiety at all.Though I am not competely sure on this one.The tired/drowsiness should go away in 2 weeks because you have to give your body time to let the medication get in your system.
jakelly93
17 Dec 2011
Some advice. Get off the Xanax now before you get addicted and you will.
Ed000
23 June 2017
The fog and the holes in you're memory very common..in my experience the memory thing is on going i had to get used to writing things down taking pictures etc to help me remember important stuff... do BEWARE ..ive done things that i had to be told i did.. absolutely zero recollection..like taking a shower than 20 min later taking another cause i forgot i took one..
Rose923
21 Feb 2018
Idk how old this is but there are several other anti anxiety meds that are a much better option. If your doctor went straight to xanax without trying anything else first then I would also recommend finding a new doctor
Related topics
xanax xr, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, sedation, generalized anxiety disorder
Further information
- Xanax XR uses and safety info
- Xanax XR prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax XR (detailed)
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