Has anyone taken Xanax XR, if so how does it affect you.
My Dr called in a prescription for me yesterday, it wont be ready to pick up until later today.

I've been taking this for a month, everyday, 1-2 mgs, for a really rough time I've been having lately. I really like it, because it takes the edge off my panic and is more spread out than regular Xanax, which seems to last only a couple of hours.

I'm a bit worried about getting addicted, so I'm going to try to add some CBT therapy to deal with my anxiety issues, instead of just relying on Xanax.

I just got mine today, its only .5mgs.....it says to take daily but can I take it on only need basis only? Some days I can go without, I also don't want to become addicted. I just know regular xanax wears off quickly.

Oh 1 quick question, does it time release .5 mgs a few times a day......or is the total pill just .5mgs just releases slowly throughout the day?

Definitely only take as needed and not everyday if you can. You should be able to avoid the risk of addiction no problem by doing that.

The .5 mgs slowly release a total of .5 mgs over the coarse of about 8 hours.

Dear hope4all--hey! hope you are feeling better--I know exactly how you ARE feeling & why you got an RX for Xanax--I have suffered w/depression my whole life, but had a terrible bout w/anxiety and post-traumatic stress for over 2 1/2 years...the good news--lol--the Great News---is I'm so much better..I too took Xanax--at first 1mg a day--but unfortunately, as time goes on the smaller doses don't help you as much, so you have to take more--I never abused my meds( I don't have addiction problem) but got up to 5mg/day at 1 point! It was a great help because my panic/anxiety was so great i couldn't go outside or drive--I started talk therapy as well & that was the 1st step in my recovery...anyway--to answer your ?--please be very wary of starting anti-anxiety meds--Xanax hell to get off of--it took me many months to stop--under a dr's care too! There were many days I really thought Id not make it--severe depression makes anxiety so much greater..Im on Prozac now--and HALLEJULEAH! no more Xanax or sleeping pills--which I also took--too many meds just exacerbate a lot of the symptoms of depression & anxiety--please think about alternatives to drugs--if possible--remember your dr will help you--not a psychiatrist--they are very much into giving out pills for all our problems--I am a great believer in listening to your own body & mind--side effects from Xanax not pleasant--it is really alcohol in "dry" form--it has the same chemical properties. I hope this is helpful for ya..if you need more info--let me know ok--I care!! and just a reminder to y'all--there is always hope--never give up!!!! tell your loved one's how you feel--don't be quiet(like I was for many years)--they will give you the support you need..peace, love..till next time

Thanks Holst, my bottle says once a day (which I don't need) so I am only going to take it when I need it. Also I'm glad that it only releases .5mgs total!!!

Hi Survivor!!!! Xanax doesn't affect me like alcohol, it just makes me feel normal. I did take Xanax 7years ago @.25mgs. I only took it when I needed it and I had no problem weening myself off. I had zero withdrawls probably because I really never took a total of .5mgs when needed.

I just like that with Xanax XR you don't have to wait for the next pill if your day is really bad. The dr gave me 3 refills but I highly doubt that I will ever use them all.

What I hate is doing fine and something brings the anxiety back on FULL FORCE and you have to wait months to get in to see your Dr to get what you needed months ago. This way it is here when or if I need it.

I also took Prozac 2yrs ago for about a week! I slept 23hrs a day! I couldn't drive because I had NO reflexes. Then when my son asked me, "mommy can you stay up for longer than 5min?" I got up and chucked the entire bottle in the garbage.

Thanks for both your support!