Xanax Alternatives For Anxiety: Natural, Over-the-Counter, & Prescription
The increasing number of addiction cases worldwide has led to a decrease in the amount of controlled drugs like Xanax. This drug is extremely important for anxiety and is most of the time used as the first line of treatment. But even after being extremely useful, it has a demerit of making people addicted to it. These are the reasons why finding an alternative to Xanax has become extremely important. So, if you are also in need of Xanax and are not able to get your hands on it, then you are in the right place. In this blog, we will discuss Xanax alternatives that will be equally helpful and solve your problem fast.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax, a brand name for the drug Alprazolam, is a drug helpful for treating anxiety disorders and belongs to the class of Benzodiazepines. There are various formulations of Xanax, like immediate and extended-release tablets, as well as oral solutions. The tablets must be taken orally as a whole and must not be crushed or chewed. The working mechanism of the drug involves enhancing the neurotransmitter that calms down brain activity. Xanax has the capacity to make people dependent on it if taken regularly, so it is advised to be taken for shorter intervals.
There are various side effects seen in individuals taking Xanax. They are:
- Drowsiness
- Light headedness
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Seizure
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Hallucination
- Addiction
Who Cannot Use Xanax?
Xanax belongs to the category of Schedule IV drugs, which indicates its vulnerability towards addiction and dependency. This property makes it unfit for every individual. Several health conditions can also be the reason that makes an individual unfit for the drug. They are:
- Allergies
- Breathing issues
- Liver disease
- Depression
- Older age
- Drug abuse
- Pregnant
- Breast feeding
If you relate to any of these issues, then ask your doctor immediately to change the doses and suggest some other alternatives.
Xanax Alternatives
There are wide range of alternative options available for individuals who cannot take Xanax. These alternatives might be more effective than Xanax and help to recover faster. The available alternatives are of two types, i.e., natural and artificial. You can choose your best fit among them and stick to that for easy and early recovery.
What Are Natural Alternatives To Xanax?
There are various natural Xanax alternatives for anxiety, which are the best forms of treatment since they do not cause any side effects. Although natural methods take time to show results but it’s worth it since they are capable of healing you completely.
Let’s see various natural alternatives to Xanax.
- Herbal Xanax alternatives: Certain products like ashwagandha, magnesium, L-Theanine, and kava are some of the natural products that can help in calming our mind and body.
- Exercises and therapies: Exercise can help to keep our body fit, which will make us healthy and provide relief from various body issues. Therapies are also a good source of providing relaxation to our minds, which in turn lessens the anxiety symptoms.
- Dietary changes: Maintaining a healthy diet can also bring significant changes to both our mental and physical health.
- Taking sufficient sleep: Sleep plays a major role in keeping our mind and body relaxed. So, make sure you are maintaining a proper sleep schedule, or else you will end up feeling tired, which might worsen your anxiety.
Xanax Alternatives Over The Counter
Over-the-counter medicines can be simply defined as drugs that can be bought without a prescription. There are various such options available for Xanax, including:
- Ashwagandha
- Valerian Root
- Melatonin
- Kava
- Chamomile
- Magnesium
- L-theanine
- Cannabidiol
Xanax Alternatives For the Elderly
Individuals older than the age of 65 should not take Xanax. This is because with an increase in age, our body starts to lose its metabolic power, and the drugs are not able to flush out of our body properly. Older individuals are also not able to tolerate the potency of the drugs, which may give rise to several other health risks. The best choice for them is to go for the natural methods because every drug has its side effects.
If the condition is severe, then natural options won’t be of much help, and they have to go for drugs like:
Xanax Alternatives For Sleep
Xanax is sometimes used by individuals facing sleeping disorders like insomnia. This is because it relaxes the body, which can also increase sleep quality. But Xanax’s history of causing addiction makes it unsuitable for longer use. The doctor might advise using this drug for not more than seven days and then provide alternatives like:
- Trazodone
- Valerian
- Ativan
- Buspirone
- Clonazepam
- Triazolam
- Zoloft
Xanax Alternatives For Anxiety
Even if Xanax is the best option you can choose for anxiety, some of its properties are not suitable for everybody. This is the reason why people with anxiety need other alternatives for their symptoms after a few days of taking Xanax.
Those alternatives are:
- Zoloft
- Buspirone
- Fluoxetine
- Hydroxyzine
- Clonazepam
- Theanine
- Melatonin
- Cannabidiol
- Ativan
Where To Buy Xanax Alternatives?
If you are dependent on online platforms for getting your drugs, then it’s most important to only go with a genuine and trusted website. You must never make the mistake of buying your drugs from any shady platform, even if the price is low, because the authenticity of drugs matters the most. Take a recommendation from a friend or your doctor about various genuine sources. You can also buy this drug from your local pharmacy after showing proof of your requirements. Make sure that you go through the proper treatment procedures before deciding to take Xanax, since it is a very crucial drug.
Conclusion
At the end, we believe that you are aware of all the alternative options that you can go for if Xanax is not suitable for you. You can choose the best fit and use it for the longest period of time for effective recovery. Moreover, it’s best to consult a doctor about your condition and let them decide which method you should adopt and will work best for your symptoms.