Just started Xanax...anyone have experiences to share?

@bbreckenridge my pharmacist mentioned buspar (I thought it was busparine) as an alternative to Xanax , less addictive but she thought it might be better. This must be what you take. What is your opinion on that medication?

""Buspirone, sold under the brand name Buspar""
All drugs have a generic name and brand name. It's best if patients can remember both names to help prevent errors.

Xanax is a brand name, Alprazolam the Generic. I've told medical assistants at the doctor's office I'm on Zantac (Brand name) which is Ranitidine (Generic), but they write down Xanax instead. Big mistake.

To prevent errors, I keep the list on my phone and let them read it. Here's the list:

1. Metoprolol Succinate (Toprol XL)
2. Triamterene and HCTZ (Maxzide/hctz)
3. Clonazepam (Klonopin)
4. Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
5. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
6. Simvastatin (Zocor)
7. Vitamin D-3

FOR CHRONIC HIVES, DAILY, see below.

8. Ranitidine (Zantac)
9. Xyzal (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride)
10. Montelukast Sodium (Singular)

All except the Vitamin D-3, both names are given.

And generic names; given before the drug is marketed, it has nothing to do with the drug being available in generic form, helps to show what group of drugs a particular drug belongs to.

Klonopin Clonazepam
Valium Diazepam
Xanax Alprazolam

Drugs with a -zepam suffix, such as clonazepam; diazepam; flurazepam; lorazepam; temazepam, are benzodiazepines

Drugs with a -zolam suffix, such as alprazolam; estazolam; midazolam; triazolam, are also benzodiazepines.

Drugs with a -olol suffix, such as atenolol; metoprolol; nadolol; pindolol; propranolol; timolol, are beta blockers.

This is not meant to be used by non-medical professionals, there may be exceptions, but the generic name helps to reveal the Drug Family, even if the doctor isn't familiar with the drug.

Xanax causes sedation, some people correlate the feeling of sedation with reduced anxiety. Buspar doesn't have that effect, but it reduces anxiety. Someone taking it must separate sedation and anti-anxiety for maximum benefit. Just because you're not sedated doesn't mean it's not working, it does work.

@soliloquized thank you so much for the information. Have you taken buspar yourself? I am going to mention it to my doctor. Have also started taking vitamin D. It seems overwhelming to me right now to figure out what the right amount of what to take is.

My adult son was on Buspar.

I've never taken vitamins above the level indicated on the label (unless instructed to by a doctor).

I take phenytoin for a seizure disorder (not grand mal) and phenytoin is known to reduce Vitamin D in the body. Yearly, I'd get what appeared to be Seasonal Affective Disorder, a depression that occurred during the winter months.

""Vitamin D can come from one of three sources: sunlight exposure to uncovered skin, overt-the-counter (OTC) vitamin D supplements, and through foods.""

So, I started taking a single 2000 IU (International Units) Softcaps daily, year round, and I no longer get the winter depression. My former neurologist retired, the new one readily agreed about taking the Vitamin D3 (she's not young, it's not like this is a new finding) and she ordered blood tests to be sure I was taking enough, which I am.

Patients should talk to their doctor before taking vitamin supplements, and talking to their pharmacist about medications they take, and the effects supplements may have on the medication, or vice versa, is advised.

From a health site, the following:

""Based on current research, it seems that consuming 1,000–4,000 IU (25–100 mcg) of vitamin D daily should be ideal for most people to reach healthy vitamin D blood levels.

However, don’t consume more than 4,000 IU of vitamin D without your doctor's permission. It exceeds the safe upper limits of intake and is not linked to more health benefits.""

Hope this is of some help.

I take it for anxiety and panic attacks. It works for me just don't overdue it. Rosegold

Don't stay on it for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Highly addictive and turns your life into a living hell. I am addicted to another type of benzodiazepine like Xanax for 8-10 years and I can't get off it. I live with 24/7 anxiety and nausea among other things even though I am on the drug that was supposed to help my anxiety. I feel for you having to feel like this and also be looking after your little one. Best to you.

I also take that. It doesn't help like the Xanax does.

Can strontium be taken with xanax

Hi, @sue1949, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I moved your post here since others in this discussion are talking about alprazolam (Xanax).

Confirming you are wondering about taking strontium the alkaline earth metal along with alprazolam (Xanax)?

I've been on it for 30 years for vertigo, and problems with a brain tumor so if you need it you need it and don't fret over it.