Key takeaways

  • Common side effects of Xanax include drowsiness, fatigue, changes in appetite, and trouble with balance. Serious side effects can include seizures and hallucinations.
  • Xanax carries boxed warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the risks of misuse, addiction, withdrawal, dependence, and severe harm or death when taken with opioids. Your doctor will check if you have any risk factors before prescribing the drug.
  • It’s important to discuss your medical history, including any kidney, liver, or breathing problems, with your doctor before taking Xanax. Also tell them about all medications that you take.

Xanax (alprazolam) is used in adults to treat:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Xanax can cause.

Xanax comes in two forms: Xanax immediate-release tablet (Xanax) and Xanax extended-release (XR) tablet (Xanax XR). There are some differences in the side effects of Xanax and Xanax XR. This article focuses on Xanax only. To learn more about Xanax XR’s side effects, talk with your doctor.

Xanax has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. Xanax is also a controlled substance in the United States. For details, see the “Boxed Warnings for Xanax” section.

Xanax can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Commonly reported side effects of Xanax include:

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Xanax can cause mild side effects. The kinds of side effects you can have may vary depending on the condition you’re using Xanax to treat.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Xanax when taken for generalized anxiety disorder include:

Mild side effects that have been reported with Xanax when taken for panic disorder include:

For more information about constipation and weight changes, see the “Side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Xanax unless your doctor recommends it.

Xanax may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Xanax may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Xanax’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Xanax, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

Xanax also has the following risks, which are boxed warnings of the drug:

For more information about these boxed warnings, see the “Boxed Warnings for Xanax” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Xanax and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Xanax can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Xanax.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Xanax, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the side effects of Xanax.

Does Xanax cause any sexual side effects in females or males?

Yes, Xanax may cause sexual side effects that can affect females and males. These may include:

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the sexual side effects of Xanax.

Note: The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

Do older adults have a higher risk of side effects from Xanax?

Yes, adults ages 65 years and older may have a higher risk of side effects of benzodiazepines, the drug group that Xanax belongs to. This is because older adults are more likely to have lower kidney function, which can increase the levels of Xanax in their bodies. (Your kidneys help get rid of Xanax from your body.)

For this reason, doctors usually prescribe lower doses of Xanax for older adults and may increase the dose slowly if needed.

If you have questions about the side effects of Xanax in older adults, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Xanax cause any long-term side effects?

No, Xanax is not known to cause any long-term side effects. Your doctor will prescribe Xanax at the lowest dose and for the shortest amount of time that’s effective for treating your condition. Once you stop taking Xanax, any side effects you may have had from the drug should go away.

If you have bothersome side effects that last long and you’re concerned, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you manage side effects. If needed, your doctor can suggest other treatments for your condition.

Note: Xanax has a boxed warning for the risk of withdrawal when suddenly stopping treatment. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed Warnings for Xanax” section.

Are mood changes, such as anger, a side effect of Xanax?

Yes, mood changes, such as anger, are a rare side effect of Xanax. According to studies, the following behavioral changes were reported in rare cases:

If you have concerns about changes in your mood while taking Xanax, talk with your doctor.

Xanax has the following boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Risk of misuse and addiction

Xanax belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, which have a risk of misuse and addiction. For this reason, Xanax is a controlled substance in the United States. This means it has an approved medical use, but it might be misused for other purposes. It also means the federal government, doctors, and pharmacists may pay close attention to how the drug is prescribed and used.

With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s been prescribed. This may include taking tablets more often or taking a higher dose than prescribed. It also includes combining Xanax with other substances, such as alcohol.

Misusing Xanax can cause addiction, overdose, and possibly death. (Addiction is when a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects.) Combining Xanax with illegal drugs, alcohol, or other medications can increase the risk of serious side effects and overdose.

Symptoms of misuse and addiction may include:

Symptoms of Xanax overdose may include:

What you can do

Before your doctor prescribes Xanax, they’ll evaluate your risk for misuse and addiction. If you have a history of substance use disorder, tell your doctor, as Xanax may not be the right drug for you.

If your doctor prescribed Xanax, they’ll tell you about the risks of misusing the drug. They’ll also describe the symptoms of misuse and overdose. If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor right away. If they feel serious or life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Risk of withdrawal and dependence

As with other benzodiazepines, Xanax can cause dependence. Dependence occurs when your body gets used to a drug and needs it to function like usual. This can happen if you take high doses of Xanax or take it long term.

If you become dependent on Xanax, stopping it suddenly or taking a much smaller dose than you’re used to can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms from stopping or taking a much smaller dose of Xanax may include:

Other possible life threatening symptoms that may occur from stopping Xanax include:

What you can do

If you need to stop Xanax treatment, your doctor will taper (slowly lower) your dose. This is to reduce your risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. How slowly they lower your dosage and when you can completely stop Xanax depends on how you react to dosage changes. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. They will likely slow down your drug taper further.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Risk of severe harm or death if taken with opioids

Combining benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, with an opioid can cause severe drowsiness, trouble breathing, coma, or death. Opioids are a group of drugs that are prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain.

What you can do

While doctors try to avoid prescribing opioids and Xanax together, sometimes other options are not as effective for treating your condition. If your doctor recommends taking Xanax and opioids at the same time, they will explain the risks and limit your doses and treatment duration to the minimum.

Tell your doctor if you experience breathing trouble and severe sleepiness. If these feel severe, seek emergency medical care by calling 911 or your local emergency number.

Due to the risk of extreme sleepiness, your doctor may also recommend that you avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the combination of Xanax and opioids affects you.

Learn more about some of the side effects Xanax may cause.

Constipation

Constipation is a mild side effect of Xanax. Symptoms may include:

  • having fewer than three bowel movements per week
  • difficulty or straining when passing stool
  • abdominal pain and cramping
  • a loss of appetite

What you can do

Following your doctor’s instructions for taking Xanax and not taking more than you’re prescribed can help prevent constipation.

Eating foods with a higher fiber content, drinking plenty of liquids, and getting regular exercise can help relieve constipation. Since Xanax is recommended as a short-term treatment, once you stop taking the drug, your constipation should go away.

If Xanax is causing you bothersome constipation, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend over-the-counter laxatives to help relieve this side effect.

Weight gain or weight loss

Changes in appetite and weight can happen when taking Xanax. You may gain or lose weight, but Xanax is not a weight loss drug.

Weight changes may also be a symptom of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, the conditions Xanax is used to treat.

What you can do

If you’re concerned about weight changes while taking Xanax, talk with your doctor. They can offer suggestions, such as nutrition changes or exercise recommendations.

Also since Xanax is recommended as a short-term treatment, changes in weight may be resolved after you stop taking the drug.

Note: Xanax has a boxed warning for the risk of withdrawal when suddenly stopping treatment. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed Warnings for Xanax” section.

Consider the following important information before starting Xanax.

Boxed warnings

Xanax has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed Warnings for Xanax” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Xanax, discuss your health history with your doctor. Xanax may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.