Taking Subs with Xanax
A boxed warning exists about potential interactions between Suboxone and certain medications, such as Xanax. It is recommended that these two drugs not be taken together without medical supervision.
Mixing Suboxone, a partial opioid agonist, and Xanax, a benzodiazepine can be extremely hazardous as they are both CNS depressants. This combination can lead to extreme respiratory depression, potentially resulting in an overdose and even death.
Taking Suboxone and Xanax together, particularly for the intention of achieving a high or surpassing the maximum effect of Suboxone, can be extremely hazardous and even fatal. Do not take these two drugs simultaneously without a doctor’s guidance. Once you do, ensure you exercise caution.
Potential Perils of Combining Suboxone & Xanax
Combining Suboxone and Xanax, both of which are opioids and benzodiazepines, respectively, can be potentially fatal. Data from 2021 saw that 14% of fatalities due to opioid overdose involved benzodiazepines.
These drugs both work to slow down respiration and put users into a state of drowsiness, which is a common reason for fatal overdoses. Additionally, they both have the potential to impair thinking and decision-making capabilities.
The combination of Suboxone and Xanax has the potential to produce the following effects:
- Feeling extremely sleepy
- Difficulty with respiration
- Diminished consciousness
- Unconsciousness
- Demise
The use of benzodiazepines and opioid drugs can lead to habituation, which can cause:
- Acceptance of the drug
- Physiological reliance potentially resulting in hazardous withdrawal effects like seizures.
- Abuse of opioids or sedatives and hypnotics with anxiety-relieving properties
Xanax (alprazolam) is recommended as a temporary solution for treating anxiety and panic disorders. Abruptly ceasing to take the medication once physical dependence has been established can be potentially dangerous.
Suppose you have already been prescribed Suboxone for opioid use disorder or Xanax for anxiety and are considering taking them together. In that case, it is important to discuss the risks and potential benefits with your doctor in order to make an informed decision.
Substitutes to Xanax for Stress and Panic Attack
Anxiety and panic disorder can be treated with alternatives to Xanax, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and anticonvulsants. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help a person identify and change thought patterns and behaviors that are contributing to anxiety and panic. Anticonvulsants, such as pregabalin, have been used to treat symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. Other potential treatments include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers.
MAT for OUD can be aided through the use of Suboxone. This drug can decrease the temptation to return to opioids, reduce the risk of relapse, and handle the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Anxiety is a symptom of opioid withdrawal, and it is often comorbid with opioid addiction. Xanax is a medication typically prescribed to treat this anxiety. However, it is not a safe option for those taking Suboxone. Instead, there are alternatives to benzodiazepines, which do not have the same level of sedation and breathing suppression, such as antidepressants. Other medications that might be less risky, like hydroxyzine or Buspar, are also available as anxiolytic treatments.
Utilizing Whole-Person Approaches to Manage Anxiety
In order to manage anxiety while taking Suboxone, behavioral therapies, counseling, and other holistic interventions can be beneficial. Among these are:
- Working out
- Receiving a massage
- Practicing mindfulness meditation
- Doing yoga
Consult your physician regarding your choices. Suppose you are incorporating Suboxone into a comprehensive Medication-Assisted Treatment regimen. In that case, your medical staff will be able to help you cope with nervousness and other issues securely while consuming Suboxone.
