Will My Weight Change With Xanax?

Another sleepless night. My mind just does not seem to turn off despite all of my efforts. 

I’ve tried everything I have ever read online, but nothing seems to stop the worry I feel about what tomorrow will bring. 

The doctors say I could begin with a small prescription of anxiety meds, but I’ve always heard they mess with your weight. 

I’m already struggling to keep the weight off thanks to missed gym days to get the kids to their practices and lessons. I can’t afford to add another barrier to a healthier life.

—

Unfortunately, too many put their mental health at risk with thoughts similar to this.

There are long-standing myths surrounding anxiety medications and what they do to our bodies, the most common being that they make you gain a lot of weight. 

Xanax and most other anxiety medications have been tied to weight gain ever since they became a more noted option to deal with anxiety and panic disorders in the ever-changing world we live in.

The tie between the two is not completely factual and must be looked at more deeply because the link is not linear.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax is the brand name of the drug alprazolam. It’s a central nervous system depressant and is classified as a benzodiazepine, or “benzo.” Xanax is currently made and distributed by Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company. It was first released in the 1980s.

Other common benzos are diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan).

Xanax increases the effects of a chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This chemical promotes calmness and gives a sense of relaxation.

What Is Xanax Prescribed For?

Xanax is prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Types of anxiety and panic disorders include:

• Social anxiety disorder
• Phobia
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Mutism
• Medication-induced anxiety disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder

What Are the Side Effects of Xanax?

When you take Xanax, you may experience the positive effects of anxiety relief, easing of muscle tension, and insomnia (sleeplessness) relief. Some may feel negative effects like loss of memory, irritability, disturbing dreams, or hostility.

You may also feel negative side effects in the short term or long term.

Short-term negative side effects of Xanax include:

• Headache
• Talkativeness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Dry mouth
• Increased salivation
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Decreased sex drive
• Trouble urinating

Long-term side effects of Xanax include all of the short-term side effects and add the possibility of dependence.

Dependence on Xanax can happen quickly — within weeks. For those taking four or more milligrams of Xanax per day, the risk of dependence increases.

With dependence, the person needing Xanax for their anxiety disorder could develop a tolerance and will then need to continue increasing their dosage to achieve the desired effect.

Eventually, overdose is a possibility.

An overdose on Xanax could produce shallow breathing, dilated pupils, clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, weak heartbeat, coma, or death.

Knowing how much Xanax is too much is not easy to determine. Consult your doctor before taking any. 

Can Xanax Cause Weight Gain or Loss?

Xanax, while not tied directly to weight gain consistently enough to consider it a noted side effect, can cause weight gain. 

Generally, a person taking Xanax will become more relaxed and calm from the medicine. As a result, physical activity slows down, which can over time cause weight gain.

Most anxiety medications can cause weight gain, as mentioned earlier.

It is possible to maintain or lose weight while taking Xanax as needed, but it takes diligence.

By eating healthy and remaining physically active, you can avoid weight gain.

Do All Anxiety Meds Affect Weight?

In general, anxiety medications do not cause weight loss, but can cause weight gain. 

While anxiety meds are not directly tied to weight loss, some can cause nausea that might lead to symptoms that produce weight loss.

Among the anxiety and antidepressant medications that can cause nausea leading to weight loss are: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), venlafaxine (Effexor/XR), duloxetine (Cymbalta), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and buspirone (BuSpar).

Some depression medications can cause weight gain.

If you are specifically looking to not gain weight, you will want to avoid the following medications that are tied to a side effect of weight gain:

• imipramine (Tofranil)
• clomipramine (Anafranil)
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• mirtazapine (Remeron)
• trazodone (Desyrel)

Should I Be Taking Xanax?

Xanax is a medication that should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.

If you struggle daily with intrusive thoughts to the point of losing functionality, you should consult with your doctor as soon as possible.

Xanax, when used as directed, works to help anxiety and panic disorders.

Are You Battling a Xanax Addiction?

If you fear you’re misusing Xanax and at risk of overdose, you are far from alone.

According to the American Journal of Public Health, in 2013, 31% of the almost 23,000 deaths related to prescription drugs were due to benzodiazepines like Xanax. 

Help is not far away, and completely possible.

Treating Xanax addiction often begins with detox. When faced with dependence on Xanax, it’s very important to have medical help to guide you through the hard time of withdrawing from Xanax.

After detox, treatment for Xanax addiction begins, and in order to work should be comprehensive. Counseling and behavioral therapy are important aspects of Xanax addiction treatment.

By using therapy and counseling, you will be able to understand your struggles and what leads to your drug use. By learning the triggers for your drug use, you will learn how to avoid those triggers moving forward.

Rehab Center Can Answer More of Your Questions About Xanax and Addiction

Rehab Center is the first line of communication for those looking for information about overcoming substance use disorder in their life. We exist to provide answers and resources for those battling addictions, or for their loved ones. 

Learn more about treatment options for Xanax use and what it will look like if you choose to take a path of treatment. 

If you need help finding a treatment center that will help you reclaim your life, give Regard Healthcare Rehab Center a call at  (888) 341-4325. 

FAQs:

What are the effects of Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is a central nervous system depressant.

Xanax increases the effects of a chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This chemical promotes calmness and gives a sense of relaxation.

When you take Xanax, you may experience the positive effects of anxiety relief, easing of muscle tension, and insomnia (sleeplessness) relief. For some, they may feel negative effects like loss of memory, irritability, disturbing dreams, or hostility.

An overdose on Xanax could produce shallow breathing, dilated pupils, clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, weak heartbeat, coma, or death.

What anxiety medicine causes weight loss?

While anxiety meds are not directly tied to weight loss, and are more often tied to weight gain, most can cause nausea that can lead to weight loss.

Among the anxiety and antidepressant medications that can cause nausea leading to weight loss are: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), venlafaxine (Effexor/XR), duloxetine (Cymbalta), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and buspirone (BuSpar).

Some depression medications can cause weight gain.

What is the best antidepressant for weight loss?

This is impossible to answer directly. If you are specifically looking to not gain weight, you will want to avoid the following depression medications that are tied to a side effect of weight gain:

• imipramine (Tofranil)
• clomipramine (Anafranil)
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• mirtazapine (Remeron)
• trazodone (Desyrel)

We advise you to speak with your doctor about your medication needs and how they relate to your weight.