Are there any good alternatives to Xanax?
487658
It depends on what you're having Xanax prescribed for or what your diagnosis is.\n\nIf it's for anxiety or to help "mellow" you out, you may want to ask your dr. about trying Ativan or Klonopin, or lorazepam & clonazepam, the generic names.\n\nAtivan & Klonopin are known to help mellow ppl out quite well & curb anxiety & anger/aggression associated w/anxiety or tension. Also, they don't have as many of the sexual dysfunction side effects as much, as w/what's associated w/Xanax. Another thing to note is that they don't also have as strong of a sedative (making you very tired, lethargic, sleepy or just out of it as some ppl report) effect as Xanax does. They both have a much more milder effect that provides a lot of the same benefits as Xanax.\n\nAtivan or Klonopin are also a good switch from Xanax because they're both in the same class of drugs as Xanax- benzodiazepines & plus both drugs are often prescribed to treat many of the same things.\n\nAtivan & Klonopin are also less expensive than Xanax since the patent has been up for yrs on both of them & there are a number of pharmaceutical companies making the generic. \n\nBtw, don't be discouraged about trying generic drugs. By federal law & FDA regulations, they have to be biochemically exact. Meaning, brand names are just vanity names for drugs used for marketing because Ativan is easier to remember than Lorazepam, LOL. It wouldn't be the same drug if they weren't exact. Generic names are actually the biochemical drug compound that makes up the drug itself. So it's not just some complicated, nerdy name that some drug chemist thought up one day to sound impressive LOL. Xanax pretty much is another anxiety drug that a pharmaceutical company came up with so that they could have a new patent to be able to charge tons of money for & to monopolize the market for awhile because generics can't be made until that patent is up.\n\nAlso, don't ever be afraid to talk to your dr. or psychiatrist about changing meds if a particular med isn't working for you or is having troublesome side effects. You're actually doing yourself & your dr. a favor by being as pro-active as possible w/your mental well being. It's also not that uncommon. Everyone's chemical make up is different & so not all ppl will react the same to all drugs. Usually you have to go through a series of trial & error before you finally find the one, or ones in the right amounts that work best for you.\n\nGood luck!
962102
Xanax.\n\nJ/K....a long hot soak in the tub can do it.
1184926
you better believe it.  Don't try to find out how much.  Stick to whatever is prescribed for you.  Also, xanax is highly addictive, so don't mess around with it.
185603
I have had them.  You can't cure them, not medicinally, anyhow.  You can manage them with (as the last poster said) Valium (a sedative) or Xanax (anti-panic).  I have taken Xanax, and it works, but you have to be careful with it; it's addictive.\n\nI take Klonopin (clonazepam) now, and have for years.  It pretty much does the trick.  However, it only stops the attacks; it doesn't re-wire the brain... :)
1178898
If they got help immediately, recovery will probably be relatively quick.  There are drugs that can kind of "counter" the effects of Xanax.  However, because Xanax is metabolized in the liver, an overdose can cause permanent liver damage.  I'm sure the doctor will be checking for this though.  It may be a while before your friend recovers mentally though.  I'm sure lots of counseling will be involved.  The best thing for you to do is just let your friend that you will be there (no questions asked, no matter what) if they ever need you (for anything minor or serious).  Now's the time to be a friend.
448865
there is not one good anti-depressant vs. another but the one that works for you the best is the best one. because everyones chemistry is different so you might say prozac is really working great for me but, bob might say prozac made me sick but he think zoloft is better for him and you say no that stuff made me sleep. so there's your answer for the anti-depressent. Now, i can tell you the newest anti-dep out is called cymbalta and it supposibly has no side effects and starts working within a week. now, the anxiety could easily be stoped once the anti-depressant starts working but if it's severe and you need something now depending on your age they will prescribe a xanax or ativan but not for long because there controlling substances now if your in your teens they will probably perscribe buspar which only takes a week to work and is not addicting. GOOD LUCK!
141182
I like Xanax, or alprazolam, it makes all the bad things go away.
973928
Well, I should think so--but first, is he on any other medications? First, check those to see if they have any dangerous interactions with xanax. If not, it seems like it should be okay. I'm not a doctor, though, so take this with a grain of salt.
461863
You must get in contact with another doctor, if you have been taking xanax for all that time and now don't have it I am guessing your system will be sick without it, like going cold turkey.\nMaybe those other doctors do think you need to stop taking it, but this is not the best way after so long.\n  I hope you can find someone sympathetic in your area that will deal with this in a much more empathic manner
128075
I would actually explain the situation to my doctor and get some type of medication like xanex or valium to help me relax.  She could perscribe enough for that one day.
876827
Im not sure I know of that drug, closest I know of with a similar name is Klonopin <Clonazepam> which makes you feel like your legs are made of rubber and you feel drunk and stagger a lot, its for your nerves and to make you sleep.
611030
Kolonipen? or the gerneric name like I take is clonazepam 1 mg.\nIt is very addictive and doesn't work as fast as Ativan,but I believe it lasts longer and works better for anxiety and sleep.\nIv'e been taking them for ten years so if I go about 3 days without them mr.withdrawal comes knocking.Ambien is more just a sleep aid,I take those too 10mg. I take another what I believe is just a sleep aid called lunesta 3 mg it seems to work well.Once in awhile my doctor will throw me some Ativan,it works fast on me but doesn't last and he knows how much i like them,but if I could stop taking all the medications i need to stay alive i would.\nI hope the Ativan is just a short term thing for you and find a way to get the sleep you need. Good luck
875124
I know of no OTC meds for anxiety. Xanax IS an anti-anxiety med however! If it isn't working, ask your doctor to change you to ativan or vallium.For me Vallium works wonders.Most doctors are hesitant to prescribe them for longer than a few months however due to the risk of addiction to them. Hope this helped. :)
515138
xanax is brand name alprazolam. "bars" is the term for the rectangular 2 mg dosage (the highest dosage distributed in the US in original form; an extended release form of the medication is now on the market). "xanax bars" are commonly mistaken as being 20 mg. this is incorrect. Alprazolam, like lorazepam (ativan), and clonazepam (klonopin), are chemically related to diazepam (valium). all are members of the benzodiazepam family of medications, used to treat anxiety and mood disorders. diazepam is much more effective than the other benzodiazepines at treating muscle tension. in the united states, the fda has regulated the benzodiazepines as a schedule IV controlled substance. avoid large doses of alcohol while taking any sedative medication.
66146
I have suffered with panic attacks for a long time, and have finally gotten a prescription that has helped.  If you ask a doc for meds, ask for an anxiety med specifically.  They tried anti-depressants with me that didn't work (Paxil, Zoloft, etc.)  BuSpar works great, but nothing beats Ativan.  The downside of Ativan is the addictive properties, so don't misuse it if you get it.  You'll be sorry.  Anyway, there is also a great book called The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook that can help you to discover your anxiety triggers and ways to cope.  (But good old-fashioned therapy is invaluable if you can afford it)  When panic overcomes you try to take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds, then let it out slowly.  Focus on your breathing, and do this several times.  Have a trusted friend you can call if your anxiety attack gets unbearable, but try to tell yourself that it will pass.
958090
Do you really need Xanax or Valium? These are not medications to play with, however if you are stressed beyond all possible reason and you are having panic or anxiety attacks then Xanax will be great for you. I take them as well but only seldomly, they are addictive. For Valium I'm not sure maybe if you are having trouble sleeping or having leg cramps. It helps the muscles if you are an athelete, don't forget these are addictive as well.
903977
Registered Nurse here;  Yes, please do not take another.  Ambien is one of the strongest medications on the market for insomnia.  If this is not working, return to your physician, for evaluation, and perhaps change in sleeping medication.  But regardless of what your told here on Yahoo, Please do not take any more.  Thanks for the opportunity to address your question.