Is Xanax a helpful drug for depression?
If you have read the on-label uses of Xanax medicine, you’ll know that it’s helpful in treating anxiety and panic attacks. In addition, Xanax also helps treat several symptoms of on-label issues. More so, using Xanax for depression is likable by several doctors due to its positive impact on the patient’s health. However, there are other safer options that are more impactful in treating the issue of depression.
Apart from the on-label uses of the medicine, the drug can display positive effects in using it to treat depression. Though the medicine can reflect possible outcomes of the treatment of depression, there are some controversial studies on its usage. Moreover, the long-term use of Xanax for depression can result in addiction to the drug.
Clinical Studies of Xanax –
As per clinical studies, Xanax as an antidepressant is quite effective compared to other safer drugs. It helps in treating moderate to severe levels of depression in people without causing any issues. Furthermore, it will help to take medicine according to the doctor’s advice so that no harmful effects occur.
Also, there were different views from the studies that say –
- The use of the drug for up to six weeks had a bad effect on the patient’s health.
- Some doctors say that considerably “poor quality” medicine can cause trouble.
- In 2012, the antidepressant property of the medication turned out to be causing anxiety and sleep issues.
Thus, it is better to use the medicine according to the health expert’s advice rather than yourself. In addition, the medication can cause adverse effects that may not be suitable in the long run. More so, always purchase the medicine as per the doctor’s prescription to avoid issues that may turn out to be harmful.
How does Xanax work in depression?
The medicine works in the same manner as the on-label treatments. As we know, it belongs to the Benzodiazepine class of drugs. Furthermore, it acts by slowing down the brain cells and decreasing the activity of the CNS.
The medication helps to relax the body and reduces the level of anxiety. Furthermore, the medicine can also cause sleepiness, beneficial for people suffering from depression. It is essential to know that people using it for off-label uses need to consider taking advice from a health expert.
In 1990, there were some medical studies for the treatment of depression with the help of Xanax medication. Likewise, the health experts prescribed the drug in double dosage, which is preferable for treating anxiety symptoms. More so, the user will have possible impacts if you take medicine for a shorter time.
Side Effects of using Xanax for Depression –
As we know that using any medicine for off-label purposes will incur side effects, and the same may happen with the Xanax drug. Even if the doctor is prescribing the medication for off-label purposes, know that not every person will react positively to the drug. That’s the reason you should start with the lowest effective dose so that it’s easy to mend issues with the medicine.
List of side effects of Xanax –
- Headache
- Lack of energy
- Nervousness
- Dry mouth
- Feeling lightheaded
- Sleep problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle twitching
- Blurry vision
The person needs to report it to the medical expert as soon as they suffer any such issue. Some people may develop excessive talking and active skills due to the intake of medicine. Furthermore, to avoid the problems, it’s essential that you take medication for the right reasons. Also, it will be helpful to use it for s short-term period to avoid dependency.
Benefits of using Xanax:
The use of the drug for anxiety and panic attacks is helpful in treating various symptoms in adults. Some people may suffer through the issues for a period of more than six months. In the same manner, there can be several other recurrent episodes of the problem when you do not treat the issue.
If you are applying for the use of Xanax drug, know that you need not take medicine for more than 6 to 7 weeks. Else, it can cause dependency and other issues as well. When a person goes through the problem of panic attacks, the following signs may take place –
- Fast heart beats
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Shortness of breath
- Choking feeling
- Weakness
- Intense fear
These are some of the symptoms that can make the situation go worse and cause-specific health issues. More so, in clinical trials, Xanax was achievable in treating depression as a symptom of anxiety. Furthermore, the medication helps treat the symptoms; however, you must consult the doctor before applying its regular use.