Can Xanax help with my Driving?

It all really depends on how your body reacts and you should always test what medication effects have on you prior to driving. For me, taking a 0.25mg of Alprazolam (xanax) helps with my driving anxiety. I get extreme anxiety/panic when driving long distance (over 15 minutes) on the freeway and during the night. I found that the xanax helps calm me enough to be able to drive on the freeway, but I still can't get too crazy like being on the fast lane. I stay in the slower lanes and still am cautious, but I'm really glad I can at least do the drive while on xanax because I can't without it.

I take Xanax to treat anxiety I feel as a result of suffering from chronic hives. The hives make me extremely anxious and make it difficult for me to deal with my day to day life. I am very lucky because my husband drives me, so I don't have to worry about that. Like you, I'm okay to drive 10 or 15 minutes to a doctors appointment or a short trip to the grocery store or drugstore. But I would not want to be driving any farther than that.
Xanax does not make me sleepy, and I take .5 mg four times a day. I started out taking .5 mg twice a day, but after taking that dose for a period of three years my doctor had to up my dose to what it is today.
The best advice is to take it for a while without driving so that you can see how your body reacts to the Xanax.
Good luck and be safe!
Annie

Hi Missybon,
I also take Xanax, daily, and it helps quell those freaky feelings while at the wheel, for me anyway. I disagree, respectively, with whom ever said that Xanax doesn't work once a panic attack gets started, it does if you are taking a high enough dose! But that's beside the point.
Just make sure you know how you react when taking it, some doc's feel that Xanax is alcohol in pill form, which is ridiculous in this girl's opinion, but true.

As long as you know how your body reacts, like kaismama knows it would put her to sleep, to Xanax, you should be good to go!

Have a great day,
Lara

I drive while while taking Xanax, it helps me. I struggle to do anything I need to without it sometimes. Knowing what triggers panic attacks can help figure out how to build better coping mechanisms. Therapy is the key and medication helps in becoming responsive to treatment. Trust is a necessity in counseling its difficult to build that trust if its too hard to cope in that setting or social settings dependendant on what fears are there. I was in a bunch of life threatening car accidents when I was younger I still struggle when riding with others. I struggle when I drive. I become hypervigilant or over alert. So I take them as prescribed which is .50 mg 2x a day. I function much better than I was without them. I wouldn't drive at all. They've helped me I don't get drowsy though either.

In my experience, Xanax does not stop a panic attack as it happens. But it can be taken earlier. Depending upon how you react you might be able to drive. But use it for a week starting on a weekend to know for sure.

Removing the fear is easier than taking the pill. I know a good friend who treated her panic attacks with Xanax. However, once she found the root of the problem she didn't have another attack these past fifteen years. Truly, the divorce was the answer. Lol. I get panic attacks from the prednisone I take. Unpredictable and out of no where. It helps if you have someone around to get you into a better place. Talk further with your doctor and get in to see a therapist. Well worth it. Anxiety is treatable. Karen

What are you taking for anxiety? Your prescription is for 0.25 mg, not 250mg. That much would kill you. How does it effect you? I know I couldn't take it and drive because it would put me to sleep. Others don't have that side effect. It would help if you could not stress so much before you leave, thinking what if I have a panic attack, that's sure to start one. I know its hard if you have to drive in traffic, I hate it. I will drive 20 miles out of my way before I'll drive in traffic. If I have to do it, I will do it. Bridges and tunnels really bother me, and I usually end of holding my breath, lolol. But that's there and gone, its the constant stress I have to deal with. I don't know how to teach you to not worry but a counselor could.