Be as it may, with any review here on Too Slick, we strive to provide our readers with honest answers about drugs and the tests used today to detect them. If you want to know how long does Xanax stay in your system, then you need to hear what we have to say. Below is the most comprehensive guide on this subject, with everything you need to know, as well as additional facts pertaining to Xanax.
Xanax® XR is the brand name of alprazolam, an often prescribed generic medication that is part of the benzodiazepine family and analog triazole (active compounds) of the central nervous system. Xanax was approved 1981 by the FDA and generally comes in extended-release tablets or bars and has the potential to be very addictive if abused.
Being the 19th most prescribed medication in the US, Xanax combined with benzodiazepines are routinely screened for throughout the workplace. If you are scheduled or worried about a drug test and are illegally taking Xanax, this article is designed just for you.
How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your Body?
Since most drugs take approximately five half-lives to leave your system; therefore, you can expect Xanax to stay in your body for 2-4 days before it is fully eliminated and undetectable. However, there are certain individual factors that can make it detectable in your body for longer periods.
Factors That Determine How Long Xanax Remains in Your System
There are a few factors that determine how long Xanax remains in your system. They include:
- How long you’ve been using it
- How much you took
- How healthy your liver and kidneys are
- Your age
- Your height and weight
- Your body fat content
- Your metabolism speed
It’s essential to take all of these factors into account if you have an upcoming drug test. You’ll need to detox for longer if you have a slow metabolism, have kidney or liver damage that prevents your body from processing toxins normally, or have been taking large doses of Xanax for long periods.
Will Xanax Show up on a Drug Test?
The bottom line here is that if you’ve taken Xanax recently, it will show up on drug tests. Modern drug tests look for various substances, with most panels ranging from 5 to 12 substances. Xanax and other benzodiazepines are found on all but the most specialized panels, so don’t assume that it just won’t come up.
If you’ve been prescribed Xanax, you should tell whoever is requesting the test in advance to avoid complications. If you don’t have a prescription, find out what kind of test you will be taking and base your detox plans on how sensitive the test is and how long it can detect trace amounts of Xanax in your system.
Hair
Xanax will show up on hair tests for up to a month after your last use since traces of the drug accumulate in your hair follicles, and it stays there for weeks. However, if you are drug tested right after using Xanax for the first time or the first time in over a month, a hair test sample may come back negative.
Blood
If you just took Xanax, it will show up on a blood test. Furthermore, traces of Xanax only remain in your blood for a minimal amount of time. As long as it’s been more than one day since your last dose, you should be fine.
Saliva
Xanax can be detected using saliva tests for approximately 2.5 days after your last use. If you know you’re likely to have a saliva test coming up, just abstain from Xanax use for at least three days in advance.
Urine
The length of time that Xanax is detectable using traditional urinalysis varies based on how often you use Xanax and how much you take. The average time it takes for traces of Xanax to be removed from urine is four days, but heavy or frequent users could still test positive for a week or more after stopping their drug use.
How to Effectively Cleanse Your System of Xanax
If you have a drug test coming up and you’ve taken Xanax within the past 24 hours, there’s some bad news here: you can’t effectively cleanse your system within that time frame. You’ll have to look into other options, like synthetic urine.
If you have advanced notice of your upcoming drug test, you’ll be in better shape. The best way to cleanse your system of Xanax is to take the time to let your body do it naturally. That means stopping your Xanax use well before your scheduled test and drinking plenty of water in the intervening time.
You can speed up the natural detox process by using detox drinks or powders. You’ll still need to detox for at least 24 hours, and if the drug test is especially sensitive, you may always test positive. Combine using a detox drink to get plenty of exercise, eat well, and drink plenty of water. This speeds up the time frame for eliminating toxins from your system and increases your odds of passing the test.
Detox drinks don’t just help to flush the toxins from your body. They also help you replace your tainted urine with a liquid that isn’t full of toxins, in this case, Xanax. High-quality detox drinks also contain all the nutrients found in natural urine so they can be passed through the body to help you avoid problems with over-dilution. Keep in mind that you’ll only be able to test clean for up to five hours after taking the drink, so you’ll need to time it right.
If you have a hair test coming up, detox drinks won’t do much of anything. Don’t jump straight to shaving your head, though, as this can attract unwanted attention. Instead, try using a detox shampoo to remove toxins from your hair.
Frequently Asked Questions About Xanax?
Here are the three most frequently asked questions about Xanax:
What Is Xanax Used to Treat?
Xanax is primarily used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
How Long Does It Take to Kick In?
When taken by mouth, you should start to feel the effects within five to ten minutes.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
The strongest effects of Xanax last for two to four hours.
What Are the Symptoms of a Xanax Overdose
The early signs of Xanax overdoses can be hard to identify since they’re similar to drunkenness. Here are a few things to look out for:
- Confusion
- Impaired coordination
- Slurred speech
- Excessive drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Reduced respiratory rates
Severe Xanax overdoses can lead to coma and death, so don’t ignore these symptoms.
What Are Xanax Side Effects
Even when taken as prescribed, Xanax can produce some unpleasant side effects. They can include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Memory problems
- Concentration problems
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Poor balance
- Poor coordination
- Irritability
- Increased sweating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle weakness
- A stuffy nose
- Appetite changes
- Peripheral edema
- Dry mouth
- Low sex drive
These side effects tend to intensify with greater use.
Is it Safe to Mix Xanax with Alcohol?
It is not safe to mix Xanax with alcohol. Both of these substances can suppress respiratory and central nervous system function, and they tend to exaggerate each other’s effects, increasing the chances of overdose. Additionally, alcohol produces varying effects for different people depending on the dosage; mixing large amounts of Xanax and alcohol can be lethal.
Am I Experiencing Xanax Withdrawal?
Xanax withdrawals can range from mildly uncomfortable to extraordinarily unpleasant and medically dangerous. There are two categories of withdrawal symptoms: physical and psychological. The physical symptoms of Xanax withdrawal include:
- Insomnia
- Muscle spasms
- Headaches
- Excessive sweating
- Racing pulse
- Hyperventilation
- Grand mal seizures
- The psychological symptoms of Xanax withdrawals include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Concentration problems
- Delirium
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Panic attacks
Withdrawal symptoms usually appear 8 to 12 hours after you’ve taken your last dose and reach their peak by the second day. You should be noticing improvements by the fourth or fifth day of your detox, and there’s your honest answer.
