Pharmacy and Medications

Alprazolam overdose

08/23/2007

Question:

A friend of mine took around 30 tablets of Xanax, a week ago. His family took him to hospital in emergency. The doctors did not detect any symptoms or suggest anything, but they wanted to keep him for observation. But he insisted on coming back home.
He is apparently doing fine now without any treatment, after a few days of drowsiness, lethargy and mild amnesia. These symptoms are going away very slowly.
I wish to know if there is any long term health risk associated with alprazolam overdosage? And does he need any tests or treatments now?

Answer:

The evaluation done in the emergency department probably rules out any significant acute effect of the alprazolam overdose. Depending on variables not clear by the question, there is a possibly of an alprazolam withdrawal syndrome with it's abrupt discontinuation. It is usually recommended to not abruptly stop this medication to minimize these risks which can be severe.

I would immediately contact the physician that originally prescribed the alprazolam and get advise based on the individual circumstances of the case.

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Response by:

Nicholas A Votolato, RPh BCPP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University