Question for Xanax users...

I've always been a nervous flyer but this is the first time I have gotten a Xanax script. I was told to take it 20 min prior to flight. I was curious as to what the effects are and how long the effects usually last? I will have an hour flight...change planes..then another 3 hour flight. Will I need to take more than the initial pill??

Thanks for your input!!

I hate flying. I don't mind the take offs and landings, it's the damn turbulance. My doctor tells me.....take one pill when I arrive at the airport. Enjoy the first part of the flight. After I change planes take another pill with a cocktail. This will keep you very relaxed for the next several hours. I am 5ft and weigh 135. If I have more than one stiff cocktail, part way through the flight I take a small nap.

I wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed. I experience no lasting effects.

Angela/California

After I change planes take another pill with a cocktail.

You might want to read THIS WEBSITE which discusses Xanax. One line from the site is: " Avoid alcohol while taking Xanax. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Xanax." Of course, I am not a doctor, and this is in no way to be construed as medical advice. Just a reference, and you can come to your own conclusions and decision.

My doctor prescribed a very mild version of xanax, and he did tell me it was ok to have a drink. I take 1 pill when I get to the airport and then 1 pill once I get on the plane. I do this when I fly to europe. On my domestic flights 3 hours or less I just take 1 pill about 30 minutes before take off.

Tom

I am also a nervous flyer who takes Xanax to get me through the flight. I have (I think) the lowest dose .25mg, and my dr. said its ok to take one or two if I feel I need it. He told me HE takes 2 and it puts him right to sleep!

I flew from NJ to CA the first time I used it, took one when I got to the gate, and another after we got on (so maybe an hour or so inbetween). For me initially it makes me drowsy, but then just very relaxed.

I took it again for a shorter flight (50 mins), and was only going to take one, but I got on the MUCH SMALLER plane, and got a bit anxious, so I took a second one. Only problem with that is later in the day I was zonked…fell asleep on the deck at my parent's house! My dr. did say to try one out before the flight, to see how I would react, which I did. If you do that, I would recommend doing it at night, when you don’t have anything going on the next day…this way you can see how it affects you.

I felt the effects for a few hours after i took it, but if i recall, it lasts maybe 5-6 hours? if that...so it depends on the length of the flight as well, but I never felt like i was going to pass out, or anything, just a bit sleepy and VERY relaxed.

Xanax is very effective in calming my anxiety with flying for me. It works differently for everyone though. I must say I do not reccomend mixing it with alcohol especially since it has the potential for some nasty side effects. Those that are more "seasoned" users of Xanax or those with a higher tolerance for alcohol might do fine ...again on an airplane is not the place I'd want to test this. For that reason I highly reccomend anyone new to Xanax try it at home at least a week or two prior to flying. While I agree I would not suggest to try Xanax on a day you need to be productive, driving or even working you really should try it during the day. This will give you enough awake hours to see how the drug makes you feel as well as any lingering effects of it. This is especially important if you'll be doing any driving after your flight. Discuss a maximum dose reccomendation with your dr and test that out as well. You don't want to find that the second pill you took to get you through your second flight segment kicks in leaving you sound asleep and drooling ;)

I tried Xanax for the first time back in May when flying to Orlando. That stuff is heaven sent. For me the effects lasted about 3 hrs. I just felt calm w/it, but others in my party accused me of acting silly. I thought they were full of it at the time, but after getting pictures developed, I can see that I had this drunken grin pasted on my face..it was quite humorous.

Try one out beforehand because you don't know how it will affect you. But I loved them and will take it again cause it made all the difference in the world. (I did not have one for the return flight and it was awful...mild panic attacks the entire time!!)

I have a script for both Xanax and Valium, but I'll probably stick with the V because I've been taking it longer and know exactly how to work it to manage a flight.

I've only taken one of my Xanax so far, and that's not really enough to determine how it'll work for me timing-wise.

One cautionary note for those that want to load up on pharmaceuticals (including alcohol) before/during their flight. Airlines have the ability to deny boarding to anyone that they deem to be intoxicated or under the influence of "drugs". If they think that silly grin and woozy behavior is not what they want on their flight - you WILL stay behind. That is a pure judgement call by the agents and FA's. Also, it can affect your ability to stay in an exit row, if you managed to get one.

Not that it is likely to happen, but I don't want you to be unaware.

Also, it can affect your ability to stay in an exit row, if you managed to get one.

I just thought I might mention that this reminded me of a joke that I once heard a comedian say...

"I was in a casino, minding my own business, and this guy came up to me and said, 'You're gonna have to move. You're blocking a fire exit.' As though if there was a fire, I wasn't gonna run. If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. Unless you're a table."

Hi - I have taken relaxants for flights in the past. The best thing to do per my doc was to take one pill at home like 1 week before the flight to see how it affects you. I took a whole one and I had to go to bed 30 mins later at 7pm that night and didn't wake up til 7am the next day! So I knew to cut my dose by 1/2 for flying. Good luck!

You really should check with the prescribing doctor and/or your pharmacist re dosage, IMHO. As you can tell by all the prior posters, everyone is different. I take mine one hour before boarding the plane. Works just fine, even for cross country or transoceanic flights.

thats my combo L.A. to Vancouver. for international flts. 2 and 6 and i am stone cold sober because i am so terrified to fly. then i clear customs, get my bags, and pass out in the limo. i have heard this many times "sir, you need to get out of the car now, we're at the hotel"

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my xanex! I never fly without it... although, my upcoming flight to Paris, I have to stay sober (no pills!) until Cincinnati and then I will take one pill one hour before boarding the long flight... and 2 pills as I take my seat... I take Alprazolam (generic form) .5MG (yes! .5mg) and the 3 combined usually has me asleep before take off.... I don't mind the landing as much as the take off... so I prefer to be out cold! BUT I never mix alcohol with it! Everyone is totally different, though... but this has worked wonders with me... and it has made flying so much more bareable.

Hope that helps!

I take Xanax always when I fly, usually one is enough even if I change planes as long as there is not a long layover. I never drink when I take Xanax. Usually if I take it for an early morning flight, I usually don;t have my first drink until I get to the ship. Just me though:D