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How do I get a Xanax® Prescription?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Xanax®, a brand name for alprazolam, is a medication that is sometimes prescribed for various types of emotional problems. Most commonly, the drug is used for cases of anxiety disorder that are complicated with moodiness, irritability, and the incidence of panic attacks. Because of the potential for abuse, it is necessary to have a Xanax® prescription before obtaining the drug from a pharmacy.

In order to obtain a prescription for Xanax® or Xanax® XR, it is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor. Since this anti-anxiety medication is a controlled substance in the United States and other places around the world, it is necessary for a qualified physician to assess your condition and determine if alprazolam is in fact the correct mode of treatment for your condition. Based on the type and severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend some other anti-anxiety medication or a completely different course of treatment is some underlying physical reason for your distress is identified.

Depending on the particulars of your situation, the doctor may provide you with a Xanax® prescription that is to be taken on an “as-needed” basis.
Depending on the particulars of your situation, the doctor may provide you with a Xanax® prescription that is to be taken on an “as-needed” basis.

Xanax® medication is usually available in four dosages. For most people, individual doses of a quarter to one-half milligram are recommended. At other times, the doctor may issue a one to two milligram Xanax® prescription dosage. Multiple doses may be required throughout the day. Strict adherence to the dosage instructions is absolutely necessary in order to obtain the maximum benefit from the Xanax® prescription while also minimizing the potential for side effects and possible addiction.

A prescription for Xanax should only be given by a person's regular physician.
A prescription for Xanax should only be given by a person's regular physician.

Depending on the particulars of your situation, the doctor may provide you with a Xanax® prescription that is to be taken on an “as-needed” basis. Usually, there is a maximum amount you may take in any given twenty-four hour period, but you must use your own judgment as to whether you need the full allotted amount on a given day. At other times, the doctor may feel that a set dosage per day is in your best interests.

Recurring nightmares are a symptom of Xanax withdrawal.
Recurring nightmares are a symptom of Xanax withdrawal.

With set Xanax® prescription amounts, you may be given dosage levels that are to be taken in precise dosages two to three times daily. However, your doctor may recommend the use of Xanax® XR, an extended release version that releases a small portion of the drug into your system throughout the day. While it is safe to split standard alprazolam tablets, never split an extended release product, as splitting would interfere with the gradual dissolution of the layers of the tablet and the properly timed release of the medication.

Xanax is often prescribed to help with panic attacks.
Xanax is often prescribed to help with panic attacks.

While it is possible to obtain an online Xanax® prescription, this can be a risky option. Alprazolam issued after an online consultation with a doctor who has never seen you is not likely to be in your best interests. In addition, if the prescription is filled by an online pharmacy located outside your country of origin, you may be breaking laws by having a controlled substance shipped to you. Your best option is to see a local doctor who can examine you thoroughly and prepare a Xanax® prescription that is exactly what you need, and fill it at a trusted local pharmacy.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ysmina

@ZipLine-- Do you have a history of drug abuse? Doctors will not prescribe Xanax to their patients unless they feel that it is necessary. Doctors are also on the lookout for symptoms that a patient is a drug seeker. So if you have abused drugs in the past or are abusing them now, no doctor is going to prescribe something like Xanax for you because this medication is very addictive.

If you have never abused drugs and do not do so now, and if you really feel that you will benefit from this medication, then you may want to talk to a different doctor. It's not a good idea to directly ask a doctor for a medication by the name. Simply talk about your issues and how the anxiety is affecting your life. If the doctor feels that Xanax is right for you, he or she will prescribe it anyway. Keep in mind that a medication that has worked for someone else may not be right for you. So requesting medications based on other people's experiences and advice is not the best idea.

ZipLine

My doctor refuses to prescribe me Xanax. I have an anxiety disorder and the medications I have tried so far have not worked. I've heard great things about Xanax but my doctor doesn't listen. What should I do?

SarahGen

I went to the ER a few months ago because of anxiety attacks. I started getting them very frequently and each episode lasted longer than the one before. I was not on any medication but I realized that things are getting worse and I need something to help me.

The ER doctor listened to me and wrote me a small prescription for Xanax, in half milligram doses. I was actually having a small anxiety attack when I was there. So she was able to see my symptoms. I told her that I would be seeing my doctor back home soon and that I just need something to help me get through this week. The doctor told me that Xanax is a strong and effective medication for anxiety but it's very addictive. So she said to use it for a few days and then stop as this would probably enough to stop the anxiety attacks.

She was right. Xanax stopped my anxiety attacks and helped me get through those few stressful weeks until I could see my doctor. This was the only time I used Xanax.

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    • Depending on the particulars of your situation, the doctor may provide you with a Xanax® prescription that is to be taken on an “as-needed” basis.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Depending on the particulars of your situation, the doctor may provide you with a Xanax® prescription that is to be taken on an “as-needed” basis.
    • A prescription for Xanax should only be given by a person's regular physician.
      By: Chantelle Morris
      A prescription for Xanax should only be given by a person's regular physician.
    • Recurring nightmares are a symptom of Xanax withdrawal.
      By: sebra
      Recurring nightmares are a symptom of Xanax withdrawal.
    • Xanax is often prescribed to help with panic attacks.
      By: Astrid Gast
      Xanax is often prescribed to help with panic attacks.
    • Xanax is a controlled substance.
      By: Dana S. Rothstein
      Xanax is a controlled substance.