Xanax half life: how long does Xanax stay in your system
How do you take Xanax?
Doctors generally prescribe Xanax in tablet form in doses of bewteen 0.25-2 mg. Total daily dosage of Xanax is somewhere between 0.5-6 mg. This is because medical experts recognize that it is best to prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time in order to minimize drug dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
What is Xanax used for?
Xanax half life: how long does Xanax stay in your system
On average, experts define the half life of Xanax at 12 hours. But Xanax half-life can be anywhere from 6-20 hours. Xanax (the brand name for alprazolam) is a short – intermediate acting benzodiazepine, which means that you can feel the effects of Xanax quickly as they peak 1-2 hours after taking it. However, the effects of Xanax but do not last very long, about 6-12 hours.
Drug testing for Xanax
At the moment, the standard screening procedure for benzodiazepines is unable to distinguish between different kinds of benzodiazepines. At the minimum, it is best to wait for one day before drug testing for Xanax to make sure it is out of your body. But, depending on frequency and length of use, you might want to wait for 3 days before drug testing (for an infrequent user) up to 4-6 weeks for a chronic user before testing for Xanax.
Xanax addiction
The benzodiazepines most likely to be abused are those that are rapidly absorbed such as alprazolam (Xanax). If you think that you might be in trouble, see these signs of prescription drug addiction. If you comment here or leave us an email, we’ll respond via post or video! Let us know if you’re having trouble with Xanax. You are not alone.
1:12 am
January 19th, 2011
If i took 1 mg of xanax yesterday and took 1mg today and was very active. How long would it take for it to be out of my system? Would it show up if i had a drug test?
1:58 pm
April 6th, 2011
Im5’3 I weight 110lbs I took a corner of a bar it was the 2mg it was the yellow Xanax than I took two more bar the next day I have a drug test april the 19 I drink a lot of water and green tea this was bout two week ago have not took a Xanax in bout a year or more will it be out of my system by april the 19?
6:01 pm
November 29th, 2011
I recentally had a urine drug test, positive for benzo’s. I take resteril but they say its xanax, how can this happen?
6:08 am
November 30th, 2011
Hi J.
Standard drug tests for benzodiazepines are unable to distinguish between different kinds of benzodiazepines. And this may be the reason for the confusion.
Restoril (temazepam) is in the same class of drugs as Xanax and is a benzodiazepine hypnotic agent. When Restoril is metabolized in the system, it basically remains intact. However, the main ingredient in Restoril, temazepam, is also a minor active metabolites of diazepam (Valium). But the drug screens are not that precise.
Have you reported use of Restoril to the doctor in charge of drug screens at the laboratory? If you are using Restoril with a prescription and can present your doctor’s Rx, you should be able to request a review for normal, medical use and eventually test “negative” for benzo abuse.
6:44 pm
February 29th, 2012
hi i have been taking about .5-1.5 mg for the past few days and havent taken it prior for maybe 2 years. I have a test in about 30 days. Should i be worried?
2:19 pm
March 1st, 2012
Hi John. If you are a chronic user of Xanax, it can be detected a month or more after last dose. If you are an occasional Xanax user, Xanax is usually out of your system in a few days after last dose.
5:56 pm
April 26th, 2012
is it okay to switch xanax to lorezapam? I am down to .5 of the xanax, but my doctor only wrote my script last time for .25 and i was take 1 to 1 1/2 mg a days. my doctor wants me to see a shrink, which I have already done several times in the last 25 years. I have been on both medications I hate them but not as much as I have living with chronic anxiety, I don’t think my doctor understand, on how to wings someone off the medication,, plus it’s a waste of time, because I have to get back on it Help Me! the doctor’s here do not care
1:04 am
April 30th, 2012
Hi Debra. You definitely need medical supervision when weaning from one drug to another. Withdrawal from Xanax can be dangerous! Please consider your MD’s advice and seek professional experience from a psychiatrist. S/He can better answer your questions than I.
3:42 am
May 4th, 2012
My brother has a substance abuse problem. On Monday at 9:30 he took 9 2mg xanx. He had court that morning also. They put him in jail until that Wednesday and brought him back to court at 9:30. He signed a plea bargain for 5 year for a crime that someone else committed. Would he have still been under the influence of the medication at all?
1:18 pm
May 10th, 2012
Hello Melissa. Acute intoxication from Xanax should typically end within 12 hours after ingestion. However, it sounds like you believe that your brother made a poor decision while under trial and could have been influenced by drugs. I’d suggest that you consult with a lawyer to learn more about appealing a court decision if this was the case.
3:13 am
June 17th, 2012
I have been taking .5mg of xanax once a day for 2 1\2 months to help with anxiety. I want to stop taking due to a constant feeling of dizziness. I asked my doctor about withdrawl issues and seizures. He said I could quit cold turkey. My last .5mg dose was 36 hours ago and only experiencing anxiey, dizziness, and headache. Should I still be worried about a seizure? Do you feel I should get a second opinion? How long will it usually take to get out of my system so I know if xanax is the route of my constant dizziness. Thank you.
4:13 am
June 21st, 2012
Any benzo Is dangerous to stop cold turkey the side affects u mentions are right so it can even couse death that’s y if you go to jail or something they will tapir you down only drug they will do this for so I def wouldn’t stop cold turkey but you only need a very small amount to keep from they harmful affects
4:37 pm
June 21st, 2012
Hello Beth. If you suddenly stop taking alprazolam (xanax), you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control. This is why experts recommend that you withdraw from Xanax under medical supervision and sometimes inpatient treatment at a clinic. So, you may want to consult another doctor for a second opinion!
It can take some time for chronic Xanax use to be totally metabolized by your system (4-6 weeks), but the acute symptoms of using Xanax should no longer be present. So, I’d suggest that you also seek a diagnosis for constant dizziness as being a symptom of another cause.
9:35 pm
July 24th, 2012
Hi I taking I ml a day for 6 mont you tink a I’m abuse redy
6:13 pm
July 25th, 2012
Hi Wilo. What are you currently prescribed for Xanax?
5:21 pm
July 26th, 2012
I have a prescription for Xanax. Should I take it to the lab where I would get drug tested?
12:15 am
July 31st, 2012
Hi Jake. Absolutely. Just take the Rx for Xanax to the lab and show it to the Medical Review Officer. The lab may make a copy of the prescription and keep it on file, but you will have provided medical excuse for having Xanax show up in your system…the resulting test should be NEGATIVE for misuse as long as you are taking Xanax as prescribed.
5:00 am
August 16th, 2012
I was prescribed xanax (1mg three times a day) – it was a large dose an although I did not take it but only about 1mg daily for about a month, it completely clouded my brain. I stopped taking it about a month ago, yet still notice cognitive and memory impairment. I am very worried about permanent effects of this, but have read it could take 4 months or so for this to wear off (if it isn’t permanent).
Do you think it is permanent or just some residual effects of the drug in my system?
7:08 pm
August 22nd, 2012
Ive recently been faced with a lot of stress with finding a job and a breakup with my longtime girlfriend. A friend gave me 2 mg of Xanax last night to help relieve some of the stress and anxiety. Its the first I’ve taken something like this in a long long time (years). Although I slept well on it and my nerves ae not shaken anymore I’m concerned that I didn’t have a prescription for it. I’ve got several interviews in the coming weeks and I’m fearful that it show up on a drug screen. I don’t plan on taking it again, either. Unless things get worse and i go to a doctor for his recommendation and course of treatment. Thanks
7:10 pm
August 22nd, 2012
Hi Brock. One time use of Xanax can stay in the system for weeks, so buy a home drug test for benzodiazepines and test yourself before you plan to interview and possible be drug tested.
7:12 pm
August 22nd, 2012
Please be aware of the side effects of xanax. I had been taking this drug for many years and decided to quit. I ended up hospitalized after having hallucinations and very strange dreams. I spend one whole day driving around not knowing where I was, who I was or where I was going. Lucky for me I ended up at my daughters work and she took me immediately to the hospital. If you are on this medication do NOT get off of it with out dr. supervision.It will take you on a trip you will NEVER forget.
Judy Halsey
10:27 am
August 24th, 2012
Hi Judy. Thank you very much for sharing this warning about the dangers of long term Xanax use. I hope that your experience can help someone going through something similar or to avoid it!
6:07 pm
September 10th, 2012
i was taking xanax 10 mg from last 5 years one day i did not have any bendzopines and i had seizure they took my hospital every thing was normal but they said ur EEG Abnormal and put on seizure med can any body tell me when u take toomany bendzoines it becomes abnormal or i really have seizure disorder pls give me comments think u
11:53 am
September 15th, 2012
Hi Kim. It sounds like the long term use of Xanax combined with a sudden withdrawal provoked a seizure episode. In fact, there have been a number of reports of withdrawal seizures upon rapid decrease or
abrupt discontinuation of Xanax tablets, so much so that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a special warning about Xanax withdrawal and seizures on the drug label. You can read more about this side effect of stopping Xanax suddenly and send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
4:46 am
December 5th, 2012
i took half a xanax how lonh will it take to get out of my system
3:09 am
January 5th, 2013
I took 3 2mg of xanax within a months time. The last pill I took will b seven days tomorrow. I may have a drug test this wednesday or thursday. I have drank a lot of cranberry juice and water during this time. Need to know for sure if I will pass? Thanks for any help!
12:37 pm
January 21st, 2013
Hey, quick question. I’ve been on Methadone for about 5 years now and I JUST recently, about 3 months ago, stopped smoking pot, which was a big success for myself and it also allowed me to “phase up” to ‘phase #2′ at my local methadone clinic that I go to. Phase #2 means that I only have to go to the clinic 5 days a week, instead of 6 days a week.. and I get 2 take-home doses instead of just 1. My problem is, is one of my bottles leaked (fell onto its side) while it sat in the refrigerator and I have no idea when it fell over. Anyhow, the problem is.. is if I go even one single day without methadone, I start the cold/hot sweats, the chills.. and the worst part of it is, is I CAN NOT SLEEP, period!
So what has happened is.. is I took a 1mg white Xanax bar this morning because its the only thing I know of that I can take, that will let me sleep tonight and also keep the severe methadone withdrawl symptoms at bay until tomorrow morning, which is when I go back to the clinic. I would have gone today, but they’re closed because of Martin Luther King day.. or whatever it is.
I know they’re going to hit me with a UA this week.. but I have no idea what day they’ll hit me with it. Knowing my luck, it’ll be tomorrow or the next day.
My main question is.. is how many days will it take for the Xanax to completely leave my system? Because if they UA me and they see that I have a benzo in my system.. they’ll phase me down back down to phase #1 and it’ll take me ANOTHER 3 freaking months to get back where I am now, at phase #2.
If anyone can help me out with this.. it would be greatly appreciated. More than you probably realize.
Thanks.
11:16 pm
January 21st, 2013
Lee
I am also on methadone and am 23 years old. I have been on methadone for about the same time as you and actually was almost off it once at the point of 8mgs but thats neither here nor there lets get to your question.
Honestly it does suck going without methadone for a day and yea that same sort of situation has happened to me before except I was sick and threw up the methadone right away literally.
But saying that methadone stays in your system usually more than 24 hours, honestly a lot of that “severe withdrawal” you are assuming going through is basically thought up. Yes you will feel something of course but I can guarantee you 80% of it is in your mind. Just try to focus, take hot showers and what now.
If it comes down to it your doctor will have no sympathy because even though your story is true many many liars see that doctor in the course of a day, which sucks but well we got ourselves there. I’m not sure what you can do. If its more than 3 days you should be fine, otherwise wish for the best or come clean. But I’m thinking your going to be fine, 1mg of xanax is such a small dose.
And yes it sucks getting yoru carries taken away. I’ll have posts like this and more on my blog for getting clean from methadone and clonazepam.
oungadultaddict[dot]blogspot[dot]com article about benzos i wrote.
You have to realize your mind is blazing a huge part in your methadone
6:44 am
February 24th, 2013
Ive been on xanax for about 5/6 years now and recently(a month ago) decided I wanted to stop taking the drug because it wasnt getting me any better, in fact i was getting worse. I was perscribed 8mg a day and for the last month I dropped my intake to 4mg per day. What I was wondering was is cutting my doseage in half, tapering to fast. Ive felt fairly good the past month and was about to cut my dose down by another 25% for another month and so on till I was off the stuff. However Ive been reading horror stories about people stopping to quickly and the awful side affects so I was hoping for some input from you and or your readers
5:11 pm
April 11th, 2013
I’ve been taking xanax everyday for almost a year and I also go to the methadone clinic. obviously ive been hiding the fact that ive been taking them to the methadone clinic, they give you monthly UA’s & ive been using other peoples pee in order to pass. welllll, i got caught using the pee. the clinic has a zero tolerance for benzo use & methadone. the particular clinic i go to has a rule that if you give them 3 consecutive benzo filled urine, they will “detox” you. the methadone clinic saved my life!! i CANNOT lose it! i so far have given them 2 dirtys in a row, im NOT going to take them anymore, so my question is how am i going to get this out of my system? & fast! cuz they do randoms also so it doesnt neccessarily mean ive got 30days to get it out. HELP!! if i lose my methadone, I WILL LOSE EVERYTHING!! i’ll end up back on the streets hangin with the wrong crowds etc. I also heard that detoxing off of xanax is harder than detoxing from heroin if thats the case I am NOT looking forward to that,cuz i cannot stay laid up in the bed cuz im a stay @ home mom with a 15month old baby. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME WITH SOME GOOD ADVICE
10:17 pm
May 2nd, 2013
i took a 1mg and then half of another 1mg pill after a night of drinking to help me fall asleep. i slept 11 hours and when i woke up im still feeling the affects of these xanax pills. its making me feel very relaxed and uncoordinated. its been 12 hours since i took them and thats the lifespan for effects its supposed to have. i dont understand why im still out of it . its making me nervous and actually feeling anxiety because i feel so out of it and not normal. i really hope it wears off by tomorrow because i have to work?