Xanax Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous

Xanax (chemical name alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine drug.  Even though you may not be abuse the Xanax, your body has become physically dependent on it after three years of use.  The amount you’ve been taking is definitely high enough to cause dependency and abruptly stopping it can cause severe withdrawal that begins as anxiety and insomnia but often progresses to seizures or even delirium.  You should seek medical help to safely come off of Xanax.

Xanax is generally not considered a first-line treatment for panic disorder and should not be used by itself for this condition.  Other treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Citalopram to name a few) are more effective and have fewer side effects long term.  Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also very effective either alone or in combination with medications.