How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System?

Alprazolam, better known by the brand name Xanax, is a prescription medication indicated to treat panic disorders and anxiety disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, also known as central nervous system depressants. Xanax is a mild tranquilizer, which is why mental health care providers often prescribe it for insomnia as a sleeping pill. Read this blog to find out how to take Alprazolam for sleep. 

To answer- how long does Xanax stay in your system? It depends on the drug’s half-life, which is 11,2 hours. Thus, it can take a couple of days before your body eliminates Xanax.

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What is Xanax?

 Alprazolam, or brand name Xanax, is commonly used for treating panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Xanax is classified as a Schedule IV controlled drug. With the correct drug administration, Xanax induces a feeling of calm and relaxation. It has a high potential for abuse and leads to addiction. Xanax addiction is common, especially in young adults. Buying Xanax without a prescription is illegal.

In this blog, we will see more about factors that affect how long Xanax stays in your system and how to stop taking Xanax. Long-term use of Xanax can lead to more severe side effects and substance use disorders or substance abuse. It is similar to Ativan in some ways.

How Long Do the Effects of Xanax Last?

Xanax is taken orally and quickly absorbed in the bloodstream. In about an hour, you will start feeling better, and in an hour or two, the drug reaches its maximum concentration. Those using Xanax for more extended periods may take time to feel the effects, as their body might have built up a tolerance to it, taking more time to get out of the person’s system.

How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System?

How long Xanax stays in your system depends on the half-life of Xanax, which is about 6.3- 26.9 hours. Keeping that in mind, expect around 4 to 5 half-lives for 97% of the drug to leave your system. At this point, Xanax is not showing any effect. But it can still be traceable in drug tests. ( although it depends on how precise and sensitive the test is). Keeping the half-life in mind, by the following time, an average of the subsequent dose will remain in the body;

So, the exact answer to how long Xanax stays in your system is after 56 hours. However, the half-life for some people is 26.9 hours. Several factors play a role in determining the exact half-life.

How Long Does Xanax Stay in Blood Tests?

Xanax can still stay in the blood for 4 to 5 days.

How Long Does Xanax Stay in Salive Tests?

Saliva tests can detect Xanax for up to 2.5 days.

How Long Does Xanax Stay in Urine?

For urine tests, precise testing is required. For Xanax to be detected in blood, expect around 2 to 4 days for Xanax to leave the body.

How Long Does Xanax Stay in Hair Tests (Hair Follicles)?

Xanax remains detectable in hair for up to a month.

Factors That Influence Xanax Effects

Various factors will determine how long the effects of Xanax last. Although how long Xanax stays in your body is about 56 hours, the half-life can be more than 11.2 hours, altering the final time it leaves your body.

Some factors include;

1. Age

The half-life of Xanax is higher in older people. According to some studies, it is about 16.3 hours, compared to 11.2 hours for youngsters and healthy adults.

2. Weight

Obese people find it harder to break down Xanax. Thus, the half-life for obese people is around 9.9 to 40.4 hours, the average being 21.8 hours.

3. Ethnicity

For Asians, the half-life of Xanax is increased by 25%, as compared to Caucasians.

4. Metabolism

Some people have a faster metabolism; for those, the time taken for Xanax to leave the body decreases. People who exercise more excrete the drug faster out of the system. In this case, how long does Xanax stay in your system is definitely less than 56 hours. People with slower metabolism need more time to excrete the traces.

5. Dosage

Xanax is available in 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg. Generally, high doses  (doses of Xanax) take longer to metabolize entirely in your body. 

6. Liver Function

People with alcoholic liver disease need more time to break down Xanax. The half-life of Xanax for them is about 19.7 hours.

As a rule of thumb, the total time for Xanax to show effect and how long Xanax stays in your body depends on the duration you have been on the drug. People using it regularly on a daily high dose need more time to get rid of races of Xanax from the body. However, the sedative effects wear off.

7. Drug Interactions

Xanax leaves the body via a pathway called cytochrome P450 3A or CYP3A. Certain drugs inhibit this pathway, making it difficult for Xanax to break down. They are allowing Xanax to remain in the body for longer.

The following medications that increase Xanax to leave the body are;

• cimetidine (Tagamet),
• propoxyphene, 
• oral contraceptives
• nefazodone (Serzone), an antidepressant
• azole antifungal agents
• and itraconazole
• macrolide antibiotics 
• Fluvoxamine,

In contrast, some medications speed up the process of CYP3A, thus enhancing the breakdown of Xanax further. For example, Tegretol is an anti-seizure medication.

8. Alcohol

Do not combine Xanax with alcohol, as it leads to a synergistic effect. It means the impact of Xanax increases if Xanax is combined, thus taking more time to clear from the body.  How long does Xanax stay in your system? With alcohol, it takes more time. 

Note- combining both can lead to dangerous outcomes, often resulting in a fatal overdose.

The Final Takeaway

How long does Xanax stay in your system? About 56 hours. Xanax is not considered a long-lasting benzo. Usually, your body will metabolize Xanax in a day. After that, although it remains, you won’t notice its effect. Please do not use the drug for more than its required duration; it can lead to tolerance of the medicine. 

Tolerance leads to an increased frequency of use, causing physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. It is one of the most common prescription medications given by medical professionals.  If you suffer from symptoms of anxiety for a long time, get medical help. To get Xanax prescribed online, call us today. 

Many people quietly struggle with overwhelming feelings that disrupt their daily lives, but with compassion and the right support, they can find balance and resilience.

FAQs

1. What is the duration effect of Xanax?

For most people, the effect of Xanax wears off in 8 hours, and that’s the reason why doctors prescribe it thrice daily. It is a short-acting benzodiazepine.

2. Is Xanax still effective after two years?

Most drugs sold in the United States have an expiry date of 1 to 5 years. So, yes, it is usable after two years; however, always check the back of the pack before using Xanax.

3. How long does Xanax take to show effect?

It reaches its peak concentration in 2 to 4 hours and starts working in about an hour.