How long does it take Xanax to work for you?

Inner Peace · Post by **Inner Peace** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:04 am

I know they say that Xanax has a short half-life and it goes out of your body pretty fast. My experiences with Xanax are that it usually takes about 2 hours before I notice any relaxing effects of Xanax. But then the effects seem to linger at least 24 hours after I take it. It's not really a problem, I'm just curious if others have the same experiences. How long after taking Xanax do you start to feel better? For the record, I take 0.5 mg.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:33 am

Hi,
The last time I took Xanax was right before a flight. I absolutely hate flying!!!! I take 0.5mg too. I start feeling the effect right away. Probably withing 10 minutes or so. Although this last time I was extremely anxious about the flight so I had to take another 0.5 a half hour after taking the first dose. So I was feeling quite comfortable after an hour. Well, when I say comfortable, I mean calm. Xanax doesn't take the fear away. It just makes me not care about the fear as much! Wish they had a pill to take away fear! None of us would be here! :p

india_6 · Post by **india_6** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:17 pm

I have just been moved from taking 0.25 mg of Xanax to 0.5. Usually, I start seeing it taking an effect in about an hour or so. Depending on how stressed out I am, sometimes it takes a little longer. If I am having a full-blown panic attack it doesn't seem to work as fast as I would like for it too. I am thankful though that it does eventually seem to help. Good luck to all & God bless!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:31 pm

When I take Xanax, I notice it working in about 10 minutes or so. I have taken both .25 and .5. It usually lasts about 5-6 hours and then it's out of my system. It sounds like your dosage may not be enough for you, it really shouldn't take that long to take effect. I'm not sure about it lasting that long though, that doesn't sound right. Have you asked your Dr?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:44 pm

hi,
i noticed that i did take .5 xanax and then i split it in 1/2 and take 1/2 at night and 1/2 in the morning..
don

Vegasmomof4 · Post by **Vegasmomof4** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:01 pm

Hello!I've been on Xanax extended release 1mg 3 times a day for almost a year on this dose.Some days I feel like it's not working at all and other days I feel like it's to much!Can anyone relate?Sometimes I'll go almost a week without any severe anxiety and then just when I think that I've got it under control and get all excited BAM it hits me again to the point where I feel like I can take know more.Anyone have this happen?Then I get all wrapped up in "something physical is causing all this panick!"It gets so intense!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:46 pm

Hey the same thing happens to me. I was first on .25mg twice a day as needed and had to start doubling or tripling to get a calm effect. So my doctor put me on 0.5mg twice as needed. It still takes 2-3hours for me to feel the affect. I think a large part of is that I was self medicating alot on high dosages of benadryl and tylenol pm and now I think it takes a longer time for my body to metabolize meds.

Did you self medicate with other medications in the past..do you think that could be it??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:47 pm

Originally posted by Inner Peace:
I know they say that Xanax has a short half-life and it goes out of your body pretty fast. My experiences with Xanax are that it usually takes about 2 hours before I notice any relaxing effects of Xanax. But then the effects seem to linger at least 24 hours after I take it. It's not really a problem, I'm just curious if others have the same experiences. How long after taking Xanax do you start to feel better? For the record, I take 0.5 mg.

I keep a 0.25 mg tab in my pocket at all times in case I feel a panic attack coming on. If I am somewhere I can't get any water, I just put it under my tongue and let it dissolve. Using this method, I feel better in 5 minutes or less. When I swallow it with water, it takes about 10-20 minutes. The effect lasts a couple of hours.

hopehound · Post by **hopehound** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:25 pm

Hi I have been battling anxiety and panic since 2003. I had my first full blown panic attack in a mall. I was placed on Paxil which made me worse, my doctor put me on Xanax 0.25mg for about one year. I got better and took myself off of it and started with herbal rememdies. I relapsed in 2005 and had to go back to the doctors, they tried lexapro, zoloft, remuron which all gave me a bad reaction. I switched doctors and my current doctor placed me on 1mg of extended released Xanax and told me to take it when needed. When I take it I feel better within 10-20 minutes. I find this medication works well. I always carry the medication in my purse in case I get an unexpected panic attack.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:38 pm

I started on a low dose and I have now been increased to .50 four times a day. This along with 200 ml of zoloft. This sometimes is not enough so they have increased me to two .50 tablets for extreme attacks.