Do you take Xanax when you’re not feeling well? Does it help you relax and relieve your anxiety? If so, does it interact with Viagra or other drugs you may be taking? Find out in this blog post.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam, a tranquilizer. It was originally developed in 1961 and is commonly prescribed for anxiety, depression, and sleeping disorders. It’s a member of the benzodiazepine family, a subgroup of anxiety drugs known as GABA agonists. Benzodiazepines work by increasing the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA on certain neurons within the brain. If GABA is high, your anxieties diminish and you feel relaxed.
Alprazolam is the active ingredient in Xanax and works similarly to other benzodiazepines. It has high affinity for GABA receptors sites, especially the α1 and α2 subtypes. In patients with insomnia, alprazolam has been shown to increase slow wave sleep (SWS) by about 50% and decrease time spent in wakefulness during the night (a marker of sleep quality). It also increases the amount of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) in patients with sleep apnea and snoring problems. Furthermore, in a small clinical trial involving patients with generalized anxiety disorder, alprazolam reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality compared to a placebo group.
How Does Xanax Affect Viagra?
Let’s assume you take Xanax when you’re not feeling well and are subsequently offered viagra. Could the drugs interact in an adverse way? The truth is, there is no evidence to suggest that they react negatively together. On the contrary, there are some pieces of evidence that suggest they could work well together. We’ll discuss a few of these potential benefits.
Anxiety Relief
If you take Xanax and are subsequently given viagra, could the drugs relieve your anxiety? Theoretically, yes. Because Xanax increases the effect of GABA on neurons in the central nervous system, it could have anxiolytic properties. There is also some evidence to suggest that benzodiazepines can modulate serotonergic neurotransmission and increase the effect of serotonin on certain areas of the brain. (In other words, Xanax could increase the effect of Viagra on serotonin receptors.) Serotonin is an endogenous compound that naturally occurs within the body. It’s best known for its role in mood elevation and regulation of appetite. Elevated serotonin levels have been associated with a reduction in anxiety. (16) Thus, it’s possible that Xanax could reduce your anxiety when given with Viagra.
Improved Sleep
Could taking Xanax improve your sleep? Yes, again, if you’re feeling anxious or depressed, it could very well do so. It’s a well-established fact that insomnia is commonly comorbid with anxiety and depression. If anxiety is a problem for you, insomnia could be an even bigger problem. (17) There is some evidence to suggest that GABA agonists like Xanax can improve sleep quality by increasing NREM sleep and reducing time spent in REM sleep. These are important steps towards a better night’s sleep. (18) REM sleep is when we dream and it is typically characterized by rapid eyeblink movements, autonomic nervous system activation, and increased cerebral metabolism. If you’re finding it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, you could very well benefit from a prescription sleep aid or melatonin supplements.
Improved Sexual Function
Does Xanax affect male sexual function? Yes, it could very well do so. Not only does it target anxiety and depression, but it could also play a role in improving erectile function. In addition to alleviating anxiety and depression, alprazolam has been shown to increase the blood flow to genital areas of the brain, particularly the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a region of the brain that regulates numerous functions, including sex drive and erectile function. (19) Therefore, it’s possible that Xanax could improve erectile function by increasing blood flow to the hypothalamus.
What About The Side Effects?
Like all other drugs, there are also side effects associated with Xanax. The most concerning side effect is tolerance, which means the body needs higher and higher doses to reap the same benefits. The most common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, and memory loss. If you start to experience any of these, stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately. (20) Fortunately, these are usually mild and transient. (21) Another concerning side effect is addiction. Just like any other drug, repeated use can lead to dependence and tolerance, as well as increased harm to the individual. If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these symptoms after taking Xanax, contact your doctor immediately. (22) Fortunately, addiction is extremely rare with benzodiazepines, especially in the context of an already-existing medical condition. (23) There is also the potential for Xanax to be abused or misused, especially in the context of anxiety or depression. Because it’s a benzodiazepine, it has high affinity for the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which could result in dangerous or even life-threatening conditions. (24) If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of abuse or addiction after taking Xanax, contact your doctor immediately.
Should You Try It?
Based on all this information, it’s quite clear that Xanax has the potential to interact positively with Viagra. It could very well do so in terms of reducing anxiety and improving sleep. Furthermore, as previously stated, there is no evidence to suggest that the combination of Xanax and Viagra will do anything but good. It could prove to be a potent cocktail for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Of course, the jury is still out in terms of whether or not Viagra will help with anxiety or insomnia. But it’s quite possible that taking Xanax could make the experience more enjoyable. In other words, it could very well be a good idea.