Xanax Dosage (Alprazolam): 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg

Alprazolam (the generic name for Xanax) is a very potent benzodiazepine. Because of this, pills are available in just fractions of a milligram. What is the right dose for you? Will you have to increase your dose? How much is too much? Read on to learn more about the proper dosage of alprazolam.

A doctor may start a patient with as small a dose as alprazolam 0.25 mg. This is because the drug is quite potent, and a small dose can allow the doctor to observe how you respond to it. Most people will need a dose of at least 0.75 mg. This may mean taking an alprazolam 0.5 mg pill along with a 0.25 mg pill each dose. The various pills allow for doses to be increased in very small increments. They also allow patients to come off of the drugs gradually so that they don't experience withdrawal symptoms.

Alprazolam has a very short half-life and exits the system within a day. This factor can give the drug addictive properties. It also means that your body will build up a tolerance over time. That is why alprazolam 1 mg and alprazolam 2 mg pills are also manufactured. As a person gains a higher tolerance for the drug, more is needed to achieve the desired effect which is usually easing of anxiety. For in between doses, pills of different doses will be provided to add up to the proper amount needed.

Regardless of what dosage you are presently taking, it is important to follow the directions that came along with your medication. This includes instructions on what to do if you forget a dose. Usually you can just take the medication as soon as you remember. The one exception would be when it is nearly time for your next dose. Then it is better to just skip the missed dose. Never double up and take two doses at once to try and make up for a missed dose.

Because getting the dose for alprazolam right is an intricate process, it makes Xanax abuse very dangerous. If someone is taking this medication without a prescription or medical supervision, there is no way to know what effects it will have, or what the proper dosage is. This also makes it important to never share your prescription medication with anyone else whether they have taken Xanax before or not.