Does Xanax Make You Sleepy? Ways To Deal With Sleep Issues Caused By Anxiety Medications

Some people often report that Xanax can cause sleepiness, but is it true? Well, Xanax is a prescription anxiety medication that carries risks of dependency and abuse due to frequent use. If your health professional prescribes Xanax for anxiety relief and this question also occurs in your mind then follow this blog where we will clear “Does Xanax make you sleepy or not?” If the answer is yes, then understand that can you use Xanax as a sleeping aid. Let us see how does Xanax make you sleepy in the first place and what could be the result of using the drug for falling asleep.

Basic Information On Xanax

Xanax is a CNS depressant drug administered mainly for anxiety disorders and panic attacks. It belongs to the elite drug class of Benzodiazepines which include medicines like Valium, Klonopin and Ativan. This drug is meant to treat anxiety symptoms for a short period of time. It is available under many other brand names like Alzolam, Trika, Restyl and Alprax. One can buy its generic version Alprazolam which is much cheaper. People have used Xanax in many forms such as oral tablets which are available both as immediate and extended-release versions. Another form of this anxiolytic medication is an orally disintegrating tablet called Niravam which is now discontinued in the United States.

Mechanism And Duration Of Xanax

The mechanism of Xanax involves binding to GABA-A receptors to release the neurotransmitters of the same chemical. Xanax starts increasing the density of chloride ions which decreases neurons’ ability to trigger excitement. This allows the sedation from the drug to kick in as Xanax enhances the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Now one can feel the relaxing and calming sensation that suppresses anxiety and panic in one’s brain. Doctors use Xanax, a very fast-acting drug, to provide short-term relief for mental disorders. Your Xanax pill will last for almost 2 hours in your system while its effects might last for 6 hours.

Can Xanax Make You Sleepy?

Xanax can make one fall asleep quickly as one of its side effects is causing drowsiness. Research in the National Library of Medicine shows that people with chronic insomnia found Alprazolam beneficial for the first three drug nights. This makes people wonder can Xanax be used for sleep? There are many instances when doctors have prescribed off-label for the same. Clinical records, for instance, well document anxiety-related sleeping issues. To deal with this form of insomnia Xanax seems to help both anxiety and the sleeping disorder together. But Xanax may not be the right drug for sleeping problems.

Why Does Xanax Make You Sleepy?

An influx of GABA neurotransmitters and calcium chloride ions induces a “Xanax sleep” by suppressing the neurons that cause excitability. This slows down brain activity but at the same time it also stops all the overactive nerves in the brain. This calmness caused by the drug allows the enhanced chemicals to induce sleep. This might seem like a perfect way to go to sleep rather than fighting sleeplessness all night but it is not. If you think: “Is Xanax a sleep aid?”, then you would be very wrong. Let us understand if we should really use Xanax for sleep.

Is Xanax Good For Sleep?

Xanax is not approved as a sleeping aid, but in some cases, it is used off-label for insomnia under strict medical supervision. A professional from the American Insomnia Association gives a major reason behind Xanax being bad for sleep. He says Xanax disrupts the two most important stages of sleep: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and deep sleep. This alteration in the sleep structure causes a bad experience of sleeping at night because of the drug. If you have ever thought of using Alprazolam for sleep, then do consider taking a look at the aftereffects of doing so.

Xanax Side Effects That Affect Sleep

Xanax Sleep Apnea

One of the most concerning effects of Xanax on our sleep is causing or worsening obstructive sleep apnea. A study published in the Chest Journal claims that 0.5 mg of Alprazolam can increase obstructive apneas in patients post-operation. Sleep apnea is a breathing issue caused by relaxed throat muscles that depress our breathing. Xanax acts as a muscle depressant which is not a good sign for apnea patients. It can relax the muscles further and slow down our breathing to dangerous levels. Consult your doctor immediately if you have sleep apnea and a Xanax prescription, as they might change your medication right away.

Xanax Sleep Walking

Sleepwalking is another possibility of using Xanax for falling asleep. The worst part is that it can happen in lower doses too. One can experience unusual sleeping behaviors like falling asleep after a Xanax dose. The sedation caused by the drug in the brain can lead to parasomnias that trigger sleeping behaviors. An overdose or interaction with other drugs like mixing Xanax with Alcohol can worsen issues like sleepwalking. The other sleeping disorder symptoms that can happen while being on Xanax dosage are driving, cooking and eating. Sleep therapies are something one should start considering if they experience these unwanted sleep behaviors.

Addiction And Alternatives

Xanax Addiction

One of the main reasons behind Xanax’s drowsiness worsening our health is its addictive use. Xanax dependence rates are growing gradually, and society must address this issue with sincerity. Xanax addiction treatment can help improve the harmful effects of the anxiolytic drug. The person is first treated in an inpatient setting where Xanax is medically detoxified from their body. Detoxification programs use medicated therapies, such as Residential Treatment and Sober Living Therapy. Then the person will be provided with treatments like Group & Individual Therapy and Family Counseling which give one a fulfilling recovery from dependence on the medication.

Alternative Sleep Aids

You can deal with various Xanax withdrawal symptoms by using alternative medications or therapies that promote healthy sleep. There are three categories in which we can understand these substitutes better. 

• Doctors often prescribe Z-drugs such as Ambien or Lunesta to manage various sleeping issues over Xanax. But they carry their own risks. A safer prescribed option can be Trazodone but it is also an off-label solution for sleep but with lower abuse potential. Using Orexin Receptor Antagonists like Belsomra might be the best prescription for sleep. 
• Natural remedies include the age-old herbal supplements like Valerian roots or Chamomile Tea. Magnesium and Cannabidiol can be reliable OTC alternatives.
• The most effective sleep therapy is the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia which allows the person to replace a poor sleeping schedule with a proper one.

Conclusion

Xanax is a powerful anxiolytic drug with immense sedative properties. Feeling drowsy or sleepy from Xanax is good until it starts affecting your sleep health. Sleepwalking and sleep apnea are some of the most concerning consequences of Xanax. To get rid of these dangers, reducing dependence on the benzo drug and using substitutes can be very helpful.