Does Xanax Lower Blood Pressure? Risks & Alternatives
A vast number of people suffer from high blood pressure worldwide. This starts to affect people starting from their 30s and almost continues till their death. There is no such permanent solution available for this condition since this is barely detectable unless tested. The reason for having this condition can vary from person to person. If you are someone with anxiety, then you are bound to be diagnosed with high blood pressure. For such people, Xanax is recommended, which is very effective in dealing with both anxiety and high blood pressure. But does Xanax lower blood pressure for every individual, or should it only be given to people having anxiety? This blog will answer these queries for you.
Moving forward, we will be discussing can Xanax lower high blood pressure. How long does Xanax take to lower blood pressure? And certain other alternatives which you can take instead of Xanax.
Overview Of Xanax
Xanax is the brand name for the drug Alprazolam, and belongs to the class of Benzodiazepines. This is widely used by patients suffering from anxiety and depression. Xanax works in the body by calming the neurotransmitters, which in turn gives a sensation of calmness and relaxation to the body. This drug belongs to the category of Schedule IV drugs, which indicates slightly lower risks of addiction. But Xanax can cause dependency if used for a long period of time. You should be very careful while dealing with Xanax and only take the prescribed amount of doses to help decrease the risk of dependency.
Xanax is one of the widely misused drugs and is sold illegally at various places. Since the illegal selling or buying of drugs is strictly against the law, people use various street names to avoid suspicion and getting caught. Similarly, Xanax also has various street names used by the buyer and seller to converse with each other. They are:
- Xannies (or Zannies)
- Xanbars
- handlebars
- Bars
- Z-bars
- Totem poles
- Zanbars
- Blue footballs
- Upjohn
- Benzos
Overview Of Blood Pressure
In simple terms, blood pressure is the force applied by the blood against the artery walls while the heart pumps them into the body. Blood pressure doesn’t stay the same every time and can vary based on the condition you are in. The normal blood pressure of the individual must be less than 120/80 mm Hg, and if the pressure is around 130/80 mm Hg, then you should take immediate steps to bring it under control. A sudden increase in blood pressure can be extremely risky for an individual and can even cause sudden death. Since the body does not show any symptoms of high blood pressure, regular checkups are the only way to find out.
Does Xanax Help Lower Blood Pressure?
Xanax is rarely used directly for the treatment of blood pressure. Being an anxiolytic, Xanax helps to control anxiety attacks in people by calming down their bodies and making them feel relaxed. This property of Xanax can be extremely helpful for those with high blood pressure, since stress and anxiety are the primary reasons for having it. Since there is no concrete evidence available to prove this fact, taking Xanax on your own to decrease blood pressure can do more harm than good to the body.
How Fast Does Xanax Lower Blood Pressure?
There are no such records available showing the fixed time taken by Xanax to lower the blood pressure rate. Some studies revealed that Xanax can show its effect within two hours of its intake. This time is not fixed and can vary from individual to individual depending on their condition and prescribed Xanax doses. People with severe anxiety issues tend to have high blood pressure and are administered high doses of Xanax. For such people, Xanax can help control both problems faster. But people facing the issue of only blood pressure, Xanax is not usually recommended for them due to an increased risk of dependence.
Can You Combine Xanax With Other Blood Pressure Medications?
It is never advised to combine Xanax with any other drugs without consultation with your physician. This can cause severe sedation and can potentially damage the body in a much severe way. Similarly, if an individual gets a misconception that their blood pressure can again become normal if combined, then they are dragging themselves towards grave danger. There is a high chance that the combination can result in an interaction, and may also increase the rate of sedation, which can also put an individual in a state of coma.
Precautions Before Taking Xanax
Certain precautions need to be taken before taking Xanax to control high blood pressure. It is better to be aware of all those necessary precautions to avoid making any mistakes and harming your body.
The precautions are:
- People having high blood pressure can choose Xanax only if they have tried all other options to reduce it and none of them have been effective so far.
- Do not try to mix Xanax along with other drugs on your own.
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any ingredients or any food and are taking medications for that. This helps them to see if both drugs will have interactions or not.
- If your blood pressure decreases very fast and below the average limit, then ask the doctor to immediately change the medicine or the doses.
- Older people must not be given Xanax because their bodies won’t be able to handle the aftereffects of the drug.
- Keep the drug in a safer place away from the reach of children and animals.
Xanax Alternatives
For people who face high blood pressure due to their anxiety issues and cannot take Xanax for their treatment, they must opt for various other options available. Those drugs can probably help them in a much better way and improve their condition without giving many side effects.
The alternatives for Xanax are:
Conclusion
The benzodiazepine Xanax has proven its efficiency in treating anxiety issues. But not many sources are available to show whether it will be equally effective in lowering blood pressure. Decreasing blood pressure level is one of the side effects of Xanax and can sometimes also prove to be useful. But remember not to try doing anything on your own without consulting your healthcare provider. If prescribed the drug, take only the given amount and never overdose. Do not try mixing with other medications and create trouble for your body. Try to keep your mind and body relaxed to lower the increased blood pressure naturally.