If you’ve been to a doctor with complaints of pain, anxiety, or insomnia, you may have been prescribed either xanax or oxycodone. While doctors should be informing patients of the pros and cons of all treatments offered, this isn’t always the case.
Many people are unaware of the potential risks of many prescription medications. When it comes to xanax and oxycodone, not only do each of these medications pose a risk individually, but mixing them both has the potential to be dangerous, even fatal.
Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine medication. It acts as a central nervous system depressant, meaning that it slows down the functioning of the brain and the central nervous system at large. This is done by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits overall brain activity.
Xanax is typically prescribed to alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, as this inhibitive effect described above calms the overactive neural pathways responsible for heightened stress responses. This calming leads to a sensation of sedation and muscle relaxation, ultimately reducing experiences of acute anxiety or panic attacks. The ability to manage these symptoms results in overall improved mood stabilisation, and can also support short-term management of insomnia.
The down-side to these effects is that the overall decrease in brain activity can pose a risk in certain situations. Xanax can cause drowsiness and cognitive impairment, making it difficult to concentrate or recall information, and dangerous to drive.
Oxycodone is a powerful opioid painkiller that is often reserved by doctors for the management of moderate to severe pain. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, altering the perception of pain and ultimately providing some relief.
This action also triggers the reward pathways in the brain, leading to sensations of euphoria, pleasure, relaxation, and well-being. The sedative effects that contribute to these feelings also causes overall drowsiness and general respiratory depression.
This respiratory depression can be dangerous, particularly when oxycodone is taken in high doses. Chronic use can also result in constipation due to the activation of opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract.
There are always risks when it comes to taking prescription medications, and those risks are significantly increased when mixing drugs. This is particularly true when considering mixing strong medications such as Xanax and Oxycodone.
It is important to remember that both Xanax and Oxycodone individually have high risk for potential abuse and addiction. In the United States of America in particular, we have witnessed an unprecedented opioid epidemic as addiction, that often starts with prescribed opioid medications like Oxycodone, has ravaged communities. Addiction or abuse of Xanax has often been well explored in film and media, but it is far from glamorous.
While individuals can find themselves developing an addiction to a single substance, polysubstance use significantly increases not only the risk for addiction, but also other poor outcomes. Some of the risks associated with mixing xanax and oxycodone include, but are not limited to:
Being familiar with the risks of combining xanax and oxycodone can help you prevent negative outcomes and protect your health and wellbeing. It is never recommended to take these medications without medical prescription and supervision. Any prescribing doctor should be informing patients and educating them about the above risks, and particularly underlining the risk of addiction and abuse.
The timing between taking Xanax and Oxycodone is crucial to minimise the above mentioned risks of harmful interactions and potential dangers associated with combining these medications. However, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to delays between taking Xanax or Oxycodone. The golden rule is that when in doubt, you should consult your prescribing doctor.
Individual health factors, such as metabolism, pre-existing conditions, and lifestyle choices, will influence the effects of both of these medications. The dosage, and means of administration, will also impact how ‘strong’ of an effect Xanax or Oxycodone will have. This all means that predicting an exact time frame for how long someone ‘can’ take both medications, is difficult and potentially dangerous to do.
To make sure that you are being as safe as possible, please ensure that you follow your prescribed dosages and timeframes as strictly as you can. Inform all doctors that you are working with that you have been prescribed both these medications; this is especially important if you have been prescribed each medication by a different doctor. Also monitor how your mind and body respond to these medications closely, so that you will be able to notice and act if anything unusual or unpleasant starts to happen.
Finally, avoid taking other drugs or drinking alcohol while taking either, or both, of these medications. In particular, taking depressant substances like alcohol is very dangerous, as it further compounds the above mentioned effects and risks.
The general medical consensus is that you should not mix medications, or drugs, on the same day. As outlined above, polysubstance use has so many risks associated with it that are unpredictable. Your life and health are worth protecting.
Furthermore, the specific blood profiles of Xanax and Oxycodone make them a particularly high risk for negative interactions. Despite their short half-lives, the way they interact pharmacologically means that each drug worsens the withdrawal effects and risks of the other.
If ever you have decided that you must, or want to, mix Xanax and Oxycodone, please ensure that you do so with another sober person present with you who knows what to do if you start to have negative side effects, including overdose.
Here are Clinic Les Alpes, we are committed to supporting those struggling against addiction with compassion, discretion, and the utmost respect. Prescription medication dependency is an increasingly common problem, and you do not need to suffer alone. With the right professional treatment, you can start the journey to recovery and overcome these difficulties.
Hidden away in the mountains overlooking Lake Geneva, Clinic Les Alpes shines as a beacon of hope for those seeking expert treatment and healing hands. With medical staff onsite 24/7, and state of the art facilities licensed by the Swiss Department of Health, you and your loved ones can rest assured that you can recover in full safety and security.
Our team of nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, psychologists, and therapists all work together to provide you with a truly holistic experience. With an individualised treatment plan delivered in the setting of a multidisciplinary approach, patients can expect a fully personalised experience in their recovery. We work in collaboration with you to ensure that all of your needs, goals, and objectives can be met during your stay with us.
Mixing xanax and oxycodone is never recommended, not only due to the potential physical dangers of the pharmacological interactions between the two, but also due to the increased risk of developing addiction and dependency. While these medications can serve an important purpose in supporting good health and wellbeing, their use should always be closely monitored by a supervising doctor.
Physical and psychological dependencies on xanax and oxycodone are increasingly common, but please know that with the right treatment and support, you too can take back control of your life and your health.
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