Prescribed Alprazolam

[BertyG]

Hey community, I have some questions regarding my recent prescriptions.
I've never used any kind of meds before. I began taking Lexapro and propranolol yesterday to help with GAD and possibly depression. I take them everyday have been told not to expect results until several weeks into taking them, so I cam not concerned about those medications just yet.

However I am not sure what to do about my alprazolam prescription. I have been told to take it as needed and so I took .25 mg the first night just to test its effect on me, and then .5 mg the next day, and nothing. No effect at all, I wasn't even drowsy.
I'm a 155 pound male, is it possible I just have a natural tolerance to the active ingredient and I need to take more like 1-2 mg even though I've been told to take .25-.5 mg?
Thanks

[Anne1221]

I would wait until you actually have an anxious time, and take it then. See how much it calms you down. If it has no effect on your anxiety, you may need more. But don't worry about the side effects (drowsiness, etc) just the results.

[BertyG]

Ok yeah I guess I should wait until I'm really anxious to try it, thanks.
Is there a maximum safe dosage for first time users, like should I never take more and 1 mg?

[RoderickLariviere]

Yes, You have told to take it when needed. So just don't take until you get anxious next time, and you should not take more than prescribed dosage.
If you realize no effect then you can ask your doctor to increase the dosage.

[Two One]

Benzodiazepines are most effective when you are in the throes of anxiety. They work very well, very quickly if you are suffering from severe anxiety or panic. However, it is possible that you are on too low of a dose. Medication dosage often depends on a person's age, height, and weight. But in this case I recommend waiting until you are sufficiently anxious to take the alprazolam. If the 0.5 mg does not help you when you are experiencing severe anxiety, then ask your doctor about increasing the dosage.

Alprazolam is a very potent benzodiazepine, so you should not increase the dosage without your doctor's permission.

[contikitiki]

Benzodiazepines are most effective when you are in the throes of anxiety. They work very well, very quickly if you are suffering from severe anxiety or panic. However, it is possible that you are on too low of a dose. Medication dosage often depends on a person's age, height, and weight. But in this case I recommend waiting until you are sufficiently anxious to take the alprazolam. If the 0.5 mg does not help you when you are experiencing severe anxiety, then ask your doctor about increasing the dosage.

Alprazolam is a very potent benzodiazepine, so you should not increase the dosage without your doctor's permission.

I agree with Two One.
I am a long term alprazolam user. This medicine react fast for anxiety and panic, but prone to abuse because the effectivity. Please consult to your doctor to not use this medicine no longer than 2 week because you may get dependent in it, and you also cannot abruptly stop the medicine, it need to withdrew slowly. I am currently in benzodiazepine withdrawal and have a hard time for the taper off process due the withdrawal symptom. Hopefully you can get better without taking too much medicine. Just opinion.

Contiki

[James88]

Within 15 minutes, you should begin to notice the feelings of anxiousness subsiding. .5 is a pretty standard starting dose, so you should be fine. When you have an episode it should bring you out of it fairly quickly. Don't overdo it and definitely don't drink alcohol with it.