Anyone who’s ever had a brutal hangover knows how miserable an extended period of time spent in bed can be. And, anyone who’s taken both xanax and ambien in the same night knows how lame it feels to spend the next day trapped between your sheets. These two drugs target different receptors in the brain; however, mixing them is risky business. Mixing alcohol with any kind of depressant is also ill-advised.
In this article, we explore the effects of mixing xanax and ambien as well as their combined impact on your body.
Table of Contents
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. In the U.S., it’s one of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs with sedative effects).
It’s also one of the most abused drugs in the country. The majority of Xanax prescriptions are written for adults between the ages of 35-54.
Xanax is available in tablet, capsule, liquid, and extended release formulations. The standard dosage is 0.5 mg daily; however, doctors can increase this dosage based on a patient’s needs.
What is Ambien?
Ambien is a prescription sleeping pill that can also cause drowsiness. There are two types of Ambien available on the market: Zolpidem and Zolpidem CR. Zolpidem was first released in the ‘90s. Zolpidem CR was released in 2005.
Compared to other sleeping pills, Ambien has a relatively short half-life. This means that it leaves the body relatively quickly. As a result, it leaves users feeling less groggy in the morning.
Since it’s a benzodiazepine, Ambien is helpful for treating anxiety and insomnia. It also sometimes prescribed to help people with terminal illnesses manage their pain.
Why Mixing Xanax and Ambien Is a Bad Idea
Xanax and Ambien are both benzodiazepines. This means they both have similar sedative effects. When they’re taken together, these effects are amplified.
This is problematic because Ambien is also used to treat insomnia. In addition, many people take Ambien as a sleep aid when they’ve got a big event (e.g. a big presentation at work) coming up.
Mixing Ambien and Xanax together at the same time is risky because it can cause you to fall asleep quickly and remain unconscious for a long period of time (potentially leading to dangerous consequences).
How Long Does It Take for Xanax and Ambien to Wear Off?
The length of time that it takes for Xanax and Ambien to wear off will depend on several factors. These include the dosage amount and frequency of use, and the user’s metabolism.
Given that both drugs target the same receptors in the brain, it’s safe to assume that their effects will overlap. However, the effects of each will still be present depending on the dosage and frequency of use.
When mixed with alcohol, Xanax and Ambien can remain in your system for up to 48 hours. This means that it’ll take your body twice as long to get rid of them.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored in this article, Xanax and Ambien are two very different drugs. Each has a unique set of effects that, when combined, can be both dangerous and debilitating.
Xanax is a benzodiazepine that’s used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Ambien is a sleeping pill that’s often prescribed to treat insomnia.
Mixing Xanax and Ambien together is ill-advised for two main reasons. The first is that both drugs target the same receptors in the brain. The second is that when they’re taken together, these effects are amplified.
Both Xanax and Ambien can be dangerous on their own. Mixing them together can cause users to experience a variety of side effects.
