Several alternative medications for Xanax work well to alleviate anxiety, both in the same and different classes of drugs. If you find that you are unable to manage your anxiety with a combination of therapy and self-care practices, you may need medication to help reduce your symptoms and improve functioning. When you talk to your doctor, make sure to disclose any history of substance use disorder or drug misuse. The good thing about a strong determination to quit is that you do not have to do it alone. These are run by qualified health care personnel who have the ability to make evidence-based judgments based on individual factors. Communicating desire to try alternatives to Alprazolam to your healthcare provider will help tailor a treatment program that carries minimal risk of adverse effects.
Natural Alternatives to Xanax
Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is one of the most beneficial things anyone can do for their mental health. According to a 2017 expert opinion piece, pregabalin can improve sleep problems (common in people with anxiety disorders) earlier than with the SSRIs or SNRIs. Valium treats anxiety, as well as alcohol withdrawal, seizures, and muscle spasms. Valium shouldn’t be used by people with severe breathing or liver problems, sleep apnea, or myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune condition that causes muscle weakness).
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The potential side effects of Buspirone are similar to SNRIs and often improve as the body adjusts. Unlike Xanax — which provides quick, short-term relief — SSRIs are meant for long-term anxiety management. Individuals without chronic anxiety often use Xanax to experience its calming effects, but this can lead to a dangerous addiction to the medication.
Other antidepressant medications used to treat anxiety not listed here include Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), and buspirone. Serotonin-modulator antidepressants are considered some of the safest long-term alternatives to Xanax. Halcion is a benzodiazepine medication that is primarily prescribed to temporarily treat symptoms of insomnia. Ativan is a benzodiazepine drug that is also an anti-anxiety medication.
Who can prescribe medication?
Passionflower can have positive effects on symptoms of anxiety, and several studies suggest it may be a promising alternative to prescription drugs. One study found that people who took an herbal extract containing passionflower saw significantly reduced symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Psychiatrists are doctors who have specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex mental health conditions through medication management. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or similar, a psychiatrist may be a good place to start. Some people prefer not to take any prescription medications and would rather try natural methods of treatment.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Xanax Online
A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service. Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. Root extracts from this herb contain kavalactones, which act within the limbic system to modulate GABA production.
Fortunately, there are a variety of other options if you don’t want to or can’t take Xanax. Read on to learn about other prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) options, or natural alternatives to Xanax that might be a better fit for treating your anxiety. For this reason, Xanax is often taken to treat sudden-onset symptoms or short-term anxiety. Other commonly prescribed drugs of this class include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), temazepam (Restoril), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and midazolam (Versed). Alprazolam is a prescription medication that is prescribed for anxiety or depression.
Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3. Dr. Daniel Fick is chief medical officer for RedBox Rx’s parent company, Hy-Vee, Inc. In this role, Fick helps oversee Hy-Vee’s health and medical initiatives, including RedBox Rx, and works alongside patients, employers, benefit providers and health care professionals.
Xanax kicks in fast — in 1 to 2 hours — making it an effective treatment for relieving intense anxiety or panic attacks. To incorporate light exercise into your routine, consider walking (preferably outdoors in nature), gentle yoga, or tai chi. Even short bouts of physical activity can make a significant difference in your overall stress and reduce anxiety symptoms.
Non-Addictive Anxiety Meds: Xanax Alternatives
Understanding these drawbacks can empower individuals to make more informed choices regarding their treatment path. Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions. Get online psychiatry and medication prescriptions and management from Talkspace by reaching out today. Get an evaluation and prescription online from a licensed psychiatric provider to improve your well-being. For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. Our science-backed approach boasts 95% of patients reporting no withdrawal symptoms at 7 days.
Gabapentin as a Xanax alternative
Lexapro (escitalopram) is another SSRI that treats anxiety and depression. Like other SSRIs, it can take weeks for the drug to build up in your system and be fully effective. It’s considered a long-term treatment for anxiety, as opposed to Xanax.
- This action makes you feel calm and helps reduce nervousness and muscle spasms.
- The potential side effects of Buspirone are similar to SNRIs and often improve as the body adjusts.
- Treating anxiety by own can worsen the condition and lead to the appearance of unpredictable adverse effects.
- Spravato and Xanax have similar boxed warnings for substance abuse and misuse.
- Additionally, withdrawal from Xanax comes with serious side effects.
Before starting any new medication or stopping Xanax, a person should talk to their doctor so they can do so safely. If a person changes the way they are taking Xanax or stops taking it altogether without the appropriate guidance of a doctor, they could endure severe withdrawal effects, which in some cases are fatal. Before taking Xanax or other medication for insomnia, a person should consider CBT. Research suggests CBT could be more effective than medication for long-term insomnia relief.
Although the choice of switching to natural over the counter Xanax alternatives ultimately lies with the patients, the doctor’s insight on the best course of action should come into play. Deficiency in vitamins has been shown to be a precipitating factor for the development of psychiatric illnesses and dull response to antipsychotics. Thiamine acts as a cofactor in carbohydrate metabolism and other vital processes in the body. Supplementing vitamin B1 (thiamine) has been shown to ameliorate anxiety, nightmares, chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression, anorexia, nausea, headache, among others. It is crucial to consult a doctor before taking any medication listed below.
Some people develop a tolerance to Xanax and start feeling like they need to take more to get the same xanax alternatives effects. And if you stop Xanax suddenly, serious withdrawal symptoms can occur. Due to these risks, Xanax has a boxed warning from the FDA, its most serious warning for medications.
Book an online appointment today and take your first step toward calmer, healthier living — all from the comfort of home. Regular mindfulness practices — such as deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, and journaling can lower cortisol levels and improve emotional regulation. It activates certain serotonin receptors in the brain to create a feeling of relaxation. Individuals who use SNRIs may also experience temporary, mild side effects like dry mouth, nausea, and constipation. For anyone struggling with anxiety, the need for fast relief can be overwhelming.
There are several over-the-counter (OTC) products, supplements that people use to help manage anxiety symptoms. Some of these include L-Theanine, melatonin, magnesium, chamomile, and kava. Xanax (alprazolam) belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines and works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
