Xanax dose and overdose

DOSE

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Dosage should be individualized for maximum beneficial effect. While the usual daily dosages given below will meet the needs of most patients, there will be some who require doses greater than 4 mg/day. In such cases, dosage should be increased cautiously to avoid adverse effects.

Treatment for patients with anxiety should be initiated with a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg given three times daily. The dose may be increased to achieve a maximum therapeutic effect, at intervals of 3 to 4 days, to a maximum daily dose of 4 mg, given in divided doses. The lowest possible effective dose should be employed and the need for continued treatment reassessed frequently. The risk of dependence may increase with dose and duration of treatment.

In elderly patients, in patients with advanced liver disease or in patients with debilitating disease, the usual starting dose is 0.25 mg, given two or three times daily. This may be gradually increased if needed and tolerated. The elderly may be especially sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.

If side effects occur at the recommended starting dose, the dose may be lowered.

OVERDOSE

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

drowsiness sleepiness dizziness a slow heart beat difficulty breathing

difficulty walking and talking an appearance of being drunk unconsciousness onfusion problems with coordination oma

Manifestations of Xanax over dosage include somnolence, confusion, impaired coordination, diminished reflexes and coma. Death has been reported in association with overdoses of Xanax by itself, as it has with other benzodiazepines. In addition, fatalities have been reported in patients who have overdosed with a combination of a single benzodiazepine, including Xanax, and alcohol; alcohol levels seen in some of these patients have been lower than those usually associated with alcohol-induced fatality.