Xanax and Sexual Side Effect
Anti anxiety medicines like Xanax have been in use for nearly 50 years now and sexual side effects have been reported since the inception of its use. The most common side effect that we know of taking the anti-anxiety drug Xanax is that it causes physical dependence on the drug and there are also chances that you will develop some withdrawal symptoms if you stop the intake of Xanax all of a sudden.
One more side effect with Xanax that many of us are not aware about is the sexual side effect. Antianxiety drugs like anxiety can cause sexual dysfunction which is dose related, reversible, and sometimes transient. Common complaints in men include diminished physiologic arousal (i.e.antianxiety associated erectile dysfunction), a decline in desire (libido), and difficulty achieving orgasm. Current management approaches include avoidance of the problem by selecting an antianxiety that has few or no associated sexual side effects.
Many times people who already suffer from anxiety or panic attacks can not leave Xanax because of their already prevailing tumultuous mental condition inspite of facing some sexual dysfunctions. This is so because at that juncture the relief and calmness that they get with Xanax outweighs the sexual side effects experienced by them.
The primary sexual side effects that is experienced by a person taking Xanax is decreased desire, delayed or no ejaculation, and inhibition of orgasm. These are some of the sexual side effects that are experienced by some people. Although sexual side effects may be experienced yet they are uncommon. Sexual side effects are more prominently observed in the class of SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs and less in benzodiazepine drugs like Xanax. Though it is uncommon with drugs like Xanax yet its occurrence can not be completely ruled out.
A slow tapering of the medication is best in order to avoid the occurrence of this side effect or for that matter any other side effect. One approach is to remain at each new lower dose for two weeks before the next reduction. Tapering a benzodiazepine drug over a two- to four-month period can lead to significantly less withdrawal symptoms like:
- Nervousness Poor concentration
- Insomnia Confusion
- Decreased appetite Diarrhea
- Blurred vision Numbness or tingling
- Headache Lack of coordination
- Perspiration Lack of energy
- Muscle aches, cramping or twitching
- Altered sensory perception (i.e., noises sound very loud, metallic taste, reduced sense of smell)
Tapering : Generally physicians taper alprazolam at 0.25 mg every three days. Withdrawal and rebound symptoms can occur during taper. If you have been taking alprazolam for many months, it may be best that you gradually lower your dose over eight to twelve weeks. If you have difficulty with this regimen, then your doctor may suggest that you switch to a longer-acting benzodiazepine, like clonazepam (Klonopin), or a barbiturate called phenobarbital (Luminal). An alternative is to add a medication to alprazolam that would reduce some of the bothersome symptoms during the withdrawal period. These could be carbamazepine (Tegretol), propranolol, or clonidine (Catapres).
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- Xanax/Alprazolam is an anti anxiety agent.
- Xanax/Alprazolam is also effective in the treatment of activity depression or panic attacks.
- Xanax/Alprazolam is used primarily for short-term relief of mild to moderate anxiety and nervous
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