Benzo Belly: A Common Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom FHE Health

can benzos cause constipation

Potential side effects and interactions must be understood before taking any drug. This is particularly true when taking more than one medication at the same time. Your provider may also recommend eating more fiber, eating less gluten (or avoiding it altogether), or following a low FODMAP diet. This diet avoids foods that are hard for some to digest, including beans, dairy, wheat, and certain fruits and vegetables.

can benzos cause constipation

Does Xanax Cause Constipation? Alprazolam Side Effects on the Gut

In some situations, death has been reported in people who had severe lung conditions and took Xanax. If you have a lung condition, your medical professional will help determine if it’s safe for you to take the drug. The connection between anger ketamine abuse and mood disorders, such as panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, isn’t well studied. One study reported that people with mood disorders may have greater feelings of anger and may not respond as well to mood disorder treatments.

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can benzos cause constipation

The recommended daily intake of water is eight cups per day, but many people don’t attain that goal. Constipation might occur because alprazolam can slow your bowels’ contractions by decreasing the amount of water in the intestines. Constipation can lead to other problems such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures (tears) which may require medical attention. The risk of developing side effects varies from one person to another; it also depends on other factors such as age, gender, diet, usage duration, etc.

What side effects could Xanax cause in older adults?

We recommend that you tell your medical professional about any sexual side effects you have with Xanax. They can help determine if the side effects are from Xanax or the condition the drug is treating. If you’d like to learn more about Xanax, including specifics about its uses, you can see this overview of the medication.

What’s “Benzo Belly”? Meet the Little-Known Withdrawal Symptom

In the case of Xanax, combining it with other substances such as alcohol is another way it can be misused. To prevent an overdose, your doctor may limit how many tablets of Xanax you’ll receive. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax may worsen symptoms of depression and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Doctors also report that people with depression that’s treated with Xanax may also have increased episodes of mania. With mania, you have high energy, abnormally elevated mood, or extreme changes in emotions.

  1. They include strong prescription pain relievers, such as hydrocodone (Hysingla ER) and certain illegal drugs.
  2. Xanax is known to cause constipation as a side effect rather than diarrhea.
  3. How slowly your dosage will be lowered and when you can stop Xanax depends on how you react to dosage changes.
  4. If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives.

The authors noted that lorazepam (at that time it was fairly new medication) was well tolerated. Experts do not recommend using Xanax for an extended time. You may become dependent on this medication, even if you take it exactly as prescribed. For people with generalized anxiety disorder, Xanax is commonly prescribed alongside an antidepressant to relieve the nervousness that antidepressants initially cause in some people. To help avoid withdrawal symptoms, do not stop taking Xanax unless you first talk with your doctor. When you and your doctor agree that you should stop taking Xanax, they’ll reduce your dose slowly over time.

Most of the studies examining the use of BZs in the treatment of GI symptomatology were done during the 1970s and 1980s. If you have liver disease or your liver isn’t fully functioning, you must be closely monitored for liver damage while taking Xanax. Your doctor might order a blood test to measure your liver function before 10 fetal alcohol syndrome celebrities you’ll be surprised who! you start Xanax, or might choose not to prescribe it for you at all. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Xanax only for the indication prescribed. By boosting the effect of GABA, Xanax helps reduce nervous tension and feelings of anxiety.

Alcohol may worsen the side effects of alprazolam such as drowsiness and dizziness. Before starting Xanax, tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or considering pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Xanax. There are some differences in the side effects of Xanax and Xanax XR. To learn more about Xanax XR’s side effects, talk with your doctor or see the drug’s prescribing information. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

Birnbaum et al. [9] found that oral administration of 10 mg of diazepam markedly reduced nocturnal human basal gastric secretion in duodenal ulcer patients when compared to placebo. One may wonder whether the decrease of anxiety and/or the improved sleep were the causative factors. Tapering off a drug means that you gradually reduce the dosage until you stop taking it altogether.

If you or a loved one is currently struggling with prescription benzo abuse, it’s never a bad time to ask for help. To learn about all your options for recovery services, contact FHE Health today. Not only do you benefit from constant supervision from clinical staff, you’re ensured a safe, comfortable place to undergo withdrawal from a variety of addictive substances. There’s another link between the way benzos — and the process of removing them from your system — affect your brain and your gut. Xanax (Alprazolam) does slow down the digestive system in some people.

Because benzodiazepines have a higher risk for misuse and can be habit-forming, healthcare providers tend to prescribe them cautiously. They may prescribe them only for use as needed, not daily, and they may prescribe lower doses or pick benzodiazepines that aren’t as strong. Your healthcare provider can explain their recommendations for your treatment, including the timeline for which treatments you receive and why. Xanax may be used for the treatment of anxiety or panic disorder; however, it is addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Can interact with several drugs including those that cause drowsiness or induce or inhibit CYP 3A hepatic enzymes.

If you need a pain reliever during Xanax treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a suitable medication. Xanax and buspirone may be used to treat generalized america’s best addiction treatment centers 2023 california anxiety disorder. In addition, it’s possible to develop a tolerance to Xanax. They may change your dosage or adjust your treatment plan in another way.

However, these problems are also possible with lower doses and after taking the drug for a short time. It’s recommended that you talk with your medical professional about your risk for misuse and addiction with Xanax. They’ll check you for signs of these conditions before you start taking the drug. They’ll also assess your risk from time to time during your treatment.

Or instead, they may prescribe a treatment other than Xanax. As with most drugs, Xanax can cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you’re concerned about your risk for dependence with Xanax, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional. Xanax has boxed warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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