People should also speak with their doctor if they feel they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping Xanax or reducing the amount of Xanax they are taking. A person should talk to their doctor if they still cannot sleep after making changes to their sleep routine. A doctor may be able to suggest CBT or an alternative medication over Xanax. If medications or supplements are not working, a person could make some changes to their sleep routine.

For example, if you’re undergoing exposure therapy for social anxiety, your therapist might walk through an anxiety-inducing scenario with you, such as a birthday party. Oral Ativan takes a little longer than Xanax to kick in, up to 2 hours. Xanax lasts a bit longer too, up to 11 hours otc xanax compared to Ativan’s 6 to 8. The oral tablet is usually taken over 2 to 3 doses a day for anxiety. If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking alprazolam, be sure to discuss it with your doctor.

The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Expert care for anxiety is here. See if Talkiatry is right for you.

• Working with a mental health professional through CBT is a great way to address the root cause of your anxiety — often while you treat symptoms with medication.
• These coping mechanisms can teach people effective stress management techniques, potentially minimizing the need for prolonged medication use.
• There is plenty of anecdotal evidence showing people experiencing a calmer state and reduced anxiety after taking GABA supplements 11.

At Talkiatry, first visits are generally scheduled for 60 minutes or more to give your psychiatrist time to learn about you, work on a treatment plan, and discuss any medications that might be included. Exercise is a highly effective non-medical solution to preventing and treating anxiety. This is especially true for cardiovascular exercise, but don’t worry if you’re not a runner. You can reap the benefits of exercise for your mental health with just committing to a brisk walk a few days a week, a bike ride, or even a dance class (or a dance party in your living room). They’re not regulated in the same way as prescription medications, so their potency, purity, and safety of herbal supplements especially can vary significantly between brands and products. Additionally, these treatments may interact with other medications or health conditions and could be harmful to you.

If a person has used Xanax regularly for a long time or in high dosages, withdrawal symptoms can/will occur if they suddenly stop taking it. Usually, to prevent this, a doctor will reduce the dosage of Xanax gradually. If you’re someone that gets a severe anxiety before a speech, presentation, social event or any high-stakes situation, you might be considering prescription drugs like Xanax to help solve your problem.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before trying any OTC alternatives, especially if you are already taking medications for anxiety. Alternatives to Xanax (sold as alprazolam) include natural medicine, calming therapies, relaxing practices, herbal remedies, counseling, change in diet, and much more. Natural and alternative treatments for anxiety have been used for ages, long before prescription drugs like benzodiazepines were developed.

Non-Addictive Anxiety Medications: Xanax Alternatives

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved Xanax as a treatment for insomnia. An alternative treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Breathwork has been proven to improve anxiety symptoms, both on a day-to-day basis and in acute episodes of anxiety, like panic attacks. Getting adequate sleep is extremely important for mental health, but sometimes anxiety makes it hard to fall or stay asleep. This can create a vicious cycle, because anxiety itself can be exacerbated by poor sleep quality. One way to approach getting better sleep is taking steps to prepare yourself to get the best sleep possible.

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine found in medications such as Benadryl and Advil PM. Drowsiness is a common side effect of products with a strong dose of diphenhydramine in them. Fast-acting benzodiazepines exert their effect quickly, and a person will feel this effect less the next day. However, doctors prescribe these only in special circumstances, as a person could experience rebound insomnia or amnesia. In some circumstances, a doctor may prescribe fast-acting benzodiazepines if a person struggles to fall asleep. Besides these side effects, one of the main downsides of Xanax is that it can be habit-forming.

If you use Xanax during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks. At Talkiatry, we specialize in psychiatry, meaning the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. As the name implies, antidepressants are designed to treat depression, but they can be effective against anxiety as well.

Restoril is primarily used as a sleep aid and Valerin is primarily used as a muscle relaxer and anti-anxiety medication. Additionally, some OTC products marketed as “herbal” or “natural” remedies may contain benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or alprazolam. All our psychiatrists (and all psychiatrists in general) are medical doctors with additional training in mental health. They can prescribe any medication they think can help their patients. In order to find out which medications might be appropriate, they need to conduct a full evaluation.

Although used to treat anxiety, trazodone may not treat panic attacks as effectively as Xanax. Other antidepressant medications used to treat anxiety not listed here include Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), and buspirone. Many of Xanax’s side effects are also experienced as withdrawal symptoms after stopping Xanax too quickly. Anyone who takes Xanax will want to be aware of the drug’s side effects.

Controlled substances may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage.

Breathing exercises for anxiety relief

Before starting any new medication or stopping Xanax, a person should talk to their doctor so they can do so safely. If a person changes the way they are taking Xanax or stops taking it altogether without the appropriate guidance of a doctor, they could endure severe withdrawal effects, which in some cases are fatal. Doctors prescribe Xanax for short periods of time (up to 6 weeks) due to its addictiveness.

• The oral tablet is usually taken over 2 to 3 doses a day for anxiety.
• If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
• Our science-backed approach boasts 95% of patients reporting no withdrawal symptoms at 7 days.
• Additional factors such as an overly demanding workplace, a foundering marriage, or other stressors can overwhelm a person.

What should I do if I accidentally use too much alprazolam?

The best thing you can do is consult with an appropriate medical professional. By reducing REM sleep duration and frequency, Xanax may help users get more deep sleep. Since Xanax targets GABAergic transmission exclusively, natural ingredients with similar pharmacology can also induce relaxation, improve sleep, and foster feelings of well-being. It activates certain serotonin receptors in the brain to create a feeling of relaxation.

How is anxiety treated?

Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards. Loved for its soothing, pleasant scent, lavender is commonly used in essential oils for anxiety, sachets, diffusers, and candles. Research shows that inhaling lavender for just 3 minutes can decrease anxiety and enhance mood. In other words, valerenic acid derivatives are silent antagonists of GABA-A receptors.

Symptoms of overdose

GABA is a neurotransmitter that calms brain activity, which can help a person relax and fall asleep. Xanax is an addictive medication, so if a person feels they are becoming dependent on it, they should reach out to an addiction center or talk to their doctor. If your treatment plan includes medication, your psychiatrist will prescribe and manage it. If needed, your psychiatrist can also refer you to a Talkiatry therapist. The information in this article is for education and informational purposes only and should never be substituted for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

Eating well and exercising regularly can improve the body’s natural ability to manage stress, which may help with overall health. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are effective and natural ways to manage anxiety. Research shows that the benefits of CBT last beyond each session and gradually reduce the need for long-term medication use. Ashwagandha is a natural herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce stress and support overall wellness.