[Rose76]

I gave my boyfriend, who is seriously ill, a dose of Xanax Saturday night (for rather severe anxiety and agitation.) It was one tablet that was 0.5 mg. He sort of went into a coma for the next 24 hours. Right now he seems to be coming out of it. This happened once before from a stronger dose of Xanax.

Has anyone experienced, or heard of, Xanax producing such such profound sedation?

I realize his age and poor health can be factors, but this was beyond what I expected. (I've never taken this med, myself.)

[Travelinglady]

It's certainly never affected me that way, but I suppose it's possible.

It can be used as a premed and is about ten times stronger than Valium, but it also depends on what other meds he's on, which can increase absorption and half life.

[Rose76]

I didn't know it was stronger than Valium. Wow.

I thought Xanax was supposed to kick in fast and wear off fast. My bf is finally back to being fully conscious this morn. Yesterday it almost seemed like he had had a stroke - slurred speech, loss of manual dexterity, couldn't hardly stand up. But that all cleared up.

I guess people can differ greatly in how a med affects them.

[ArtleyWilkins]

If he is ill and/or on other medications, the side effects and/or interactions can be causing the problem. There is a reason you aren't supposed to share your meds with other people. Drug and illness interactions can be quite serious.

Originally Posted by Rose76

I didn't know it was stronger than Valium. Wow.

I thought Xanax was supposed to kick in fast and wear off fast. My bf is finally back to being fully conscious this morn. Yesterday it almost seemed like he had had a stroke - slurred speech, loss of manual dexterity, couldn't hardly stand up. But that all cleared up.

I guess people can differ greatly in how a med affects them.

I know you're in the US, but it's a scary thing here in the UK Fake Xanax: Anxiety drug deaths an 'escalating crisis' - BBC News

[Rose76]

Originally Posted by ArtleyWilkins

If he is ill and/or on other medications, the side effects and/or interactions can be causing the problem. There is a reason you aren't supposed to share your meds with other people. Drug and illness interactions can be quite serious.

It was his own med. Neither of us had previous experience with this drug, before his PCP ordered it back in May.

[hvert]

That is so scary. Very glad it cleared up.

[Guiness187055]

I take 1mg twice a day and it only quiets my mind. If my wife takes one she is knocked out for 12 hours.

[Rose76]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm wondering if something else, used infrequently, could calm his anxiety and not knock him out completely.

[still_crazy]

xanax goes all nuclear on my brain. i can be functional with ativan, klonopin, valium...not xanax, no ma'am.

[possum220]

If he isn't used to taking it then it can totally have that effect. First time ever when I took valium i thought it was the best drug ever and it gave me such a high.

Some meds just don't suit some people.

[LittleEarthquakes]

I can take 3mg at a time with no tolerance and it doesn't make me sleepy but that's just me