How much grapefruit juice xanax

Deaths from Xanax overdose went up four-fold between and , largely because of an increase in Xanax prescriptions. Many of those overdoses occurred because Xanax was combined with another drug, most often alcohol or opioids. Alcool, opioids and benzodiazepines act to depress the central nervous system, and when they are taken together, they can depress it to the point where such vital functions as breathing and heart rate slow down until they simply stop.

Some people may mix Xanax with other substances as well to enhance its effects. People may mix grapefruit juice and Xanax in order to bring about a faster onset of effects or because they believe it will increase the desired effects of the drug. Yet mixing alprazolam and grapefruit juice can have dangerous consequences, from mild side effects to harmful effects that can land a person in the hospital.

Like other benzodiazepines, Xanax was developed to replace barbiturates, which scientists thought were unacceptably addictive.

Xanax is used to ease anxiety and panic disorders as well as the depression that arises from anxiety. It produces a pleasurable calm and tranquility that some users come to depend on.

As the dependency grows, patients may find they have to take more and more Xanax for the same effect. They become physically dependent when they must take the drug to simply feel normal and avoid withdrawal symptoms. If a person can no longer feel the effects of the drug, they may begin abusing it. Since Xanax can only be obtained by prescription, patients may go to several doctors to make sure the drug is prescribed, or buy the drug off the street.

This is when Xanax is most dangerous, for street Xanax is sometimes cut with other drugs such as the powerful and dangerous opioid fentanyl. Besides anxiety and panic disorder, Xanax is also used to treat insomnia and the nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy. It works by rebalancing neurotransmitters and other chemicals in the brain.

Xanax binds to the receptors of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. This causes the central nervous system to calm down. Xanax is taken in tablets that can come in four dosages, and each tablet has a different color to tell them apart. The effects are felt after about an hour. Xanax stays in the body for about 12 to 15 hours and takes two weeks to achieve a level where the patient notices improvement in their disorder.

Like most drugs, Xanax can have side effects even when taken properly. These side effects can be common, less common, or rare. Some of these side effects go away after time, or they can be prevented. A person should consult their doctor if Xanax side effects persist. One of the stranger medical facts is that grapefruit juice should never be taken with certain medications.

Grapefruit juice and Xanax is one of the pairs that should never be taken together. The dangers of mixing grapefruit juice and Xanax are serious, as grapefruit has a chemical that can affect the liver enzymes that metabolize Xanax.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice have chemicals called furanocoumarins that stop the action of an enzyme called CYP3A4. Grapefruit juice and grapefruit can be part of a healthy diet. Grapefruit has vitamin C and potassium, nutrients your body needs to work properly. Grapefruit juice and grapefruit can affect the way your medicines work, and that food and drug interaction can be a concern. The U. Food and Drug Administration has required that some prescription and over-the-counter OTC drugs generally taken by mouth include warnings against drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking the drug.

Here are examples of some types of drugs that grapefruit juice can cause problems interact with:. Grapefruit juice does not affect all the drugs in the categories above. The severity of the interaction can be different depending on the person, the drug, and the amount of grapefruit juice you drink. According to Drugs. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice interfere with intestinal enzymes that metabolize Xanax, thereby increasing the amount of medication reaching your bloodstream.

Amplification of side effects can be troublesome or even dangerous, particularly if you are driving, operating machinery or working in hazardous settings. If you take Xanax or another benzodiazepine, consider eliminating grapefruit products from your diet.

If you choose to consume grapefruit, talk to your doctor about changing your Xanax dosage or taking another medication that does not interact with grapefruit. Nutrition Fruits and Vegetables Citrus Fruits.

By Stephen Christensen. Stephen Christensen. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice interfere with the metabolism of many medications.