Xanax is a brand name medication that also comes in generic form as Alprazolam. It belongs to the class of Benzodiazepine drugs that are helpful in treating various psychological issues. Likewise, some doctors prescribe it to treat the issue of anxiety disorder and panic attacks.
On average, a person may eliminate about half a dose of the drug in 12 hours. However, the medicine may stay in other body parts for a long time than the visible effect of the drug. In addition, there can be other factors that may determine the half-life of Xanax in your system.
How long does it take for Xanax to work in your body?
There are various types of Benzodiazepine drugs available in the market, and so does their effect also differ from one. Similarly, it depends upon the Xanax dose and its strength that manages the symptoms of anxiety and panic issues.
When you take a dose of Xanax medication, it takes about 1 to 2 hours for the drug to get absorbed into your system. More so, the drug’s peak effect can be seen after 2 hours when the concentration of the chemicals is maximum in your body. Though the correct manner of the drug’s working is not known, it depresses the CNS and helps the person get relief from anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, your body will start receiving the drug’s effect and manage the condition well.
For how long does Xanax stay effective?
Right after taking the dose of Xanax, it takes about 30 to 60 minutes for the medicine to give its complete effect. However, that may differ according to the patient’s health and condition. It further means that the person will feel the effect of the medicine for a maximum period of 4 to 5 hours.
A person who takes medicine at the right, that person will be able to manage its effectiveness as well. Similarly, if you take medicine regularly, then it’ll be easy to tackle the situation with much ease. In addition, the drug comes in extended-release versions as well that are preferable for a long-lasting effect. If you prefer to use the dose for such reasons, make sure you do so as per the doctor’s prescription.
What factors may affect the lasting effect of Xanax in your system?
There can be several factors that may determine the lasting effect of Xanax on your system. Also, you need to learn that it differs from “how long does Xanax stays in your system.” Some of the factors can be obvious, like the patient’s age, dosage amount, severity, etc. However, there can be other reasons as well that may determine if the drug stays for a long or shorter duration.
They include –
- Metabolic Rate – A person’s metabolism plays a significant role in determining the dosage effect of a medication. More so, a person with a high metabolic rate will be able to get rid of the medicine and vice versa.
- Alcohol addiction – People who have an alcohol addiction are unable to flush out the drug in less time. The reason will be that their liver may not be as healthy that helps break down the drug compound. Henceforth, people who suffer from alcoholism may not be eliminating the drug in less time.
- Elderly adults – People who are elderly in age takes longer than the usual time to break down the compound of Xanax. More so, the average half-life of Xanax in elderly patients is about 20 hours.
- People with obesity – The problem of obesity occurs in people who tend to eat, and their metabolic rate is low than the other people. Similarly, they are not able to get rid of the medicine in less time.
- Drug Interaction – Some doctors prescribe other drugs in combination so that the medicine does not stay strong. It is mostly the case when people are unable to digest a single drug, and it may harm their system. More so, taking certain drugs will speed up the process of eliminating Xanax from your system.