Xanax, which has a half-life of approximately four days and a half, leaves the body at a rate of 11.2 hours. It doesn’t necessarily mean the drug cannot be detected in drug tests. Drug tests look for Xanax metabolites that can remain in your system for varying lengths of time. Individual factors like your weight, age, and substance abuse habits can also affect the amount of time Xanax remains in your system—side Effects of Xanax Abuse (Alprazolam).
Xanax, a benzodiazepine, is a depressant of the central nervous system that is used for anxiety. You can expect to feel relaxed and calm within 30-60 minutes after ingestion. This may depend on the dosage you take and your body’s reaction. Xanax can cause some side effects that usually disappear once you become accustomed to it.
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Clumsiness
Xanax produces similar effects to alcohol and other benzodiazepines. You may feel intoxicated, drunk, confused, or relaxed. Xanax increases the reuptake of GABA, a neurotransmitter that slows nerve impulses.
Other side effects associated with Xanax abuse include:
- Memory problems while under the Influence
- Unable to recall past events while under the Influence
- Speech or coordination problems
- Reduced inhibitions and risky behavior
Mixing Xanax and alcohol, or illicit drugs in general, can increase the side effects of Xanax and the risk of an overdose. Xanax can be experienced differently by everyone because the body’s ability to process and eliminate Xanax is affected by a number of factors.
How long does Xanax last?
Xanax is a drug that has a relatively fast action. Its effects last only for about 4 hours. Xanax’s half-life is 11.2 hours, even though its products are short. It is also why those with a prescription are required to take Xanax several times a week.
The liver is the first place Xanax, or Alprazolam, enters. The liver metabolizes Alprazolam into two primary metabolites, 4-hydroxy Alprazolam (and a-hydroxy Alprazolam). [1]
Xanax can be wholly eliminated from the body in 2-4 days. It has a half-life time of 11.2, which is approximately five times that of a substance.
How long does Xanax stay in your Body urine, blood, saliva, and hair?
Xanax may leave your system in 2-4 days, but drug tests can still detect it for much longer. Drug tests do not notice the substance itself but rather its metabolites.
Xanax and its metabolites, primarily Alprazolam, are excreted mainly in the urine. Some metabolites are also found in the blood, saliva, and hair follicle. These specimens can be used to run drug tests, but each type has different detection windows.
Many factors determine how long Xanax remains in your system. Here’s a timeline that shows how long Xanax can be detected in urine, blood, and saliva. [2]
Xanax Urine Tests
The most common type of drug testing is urine tests. They are non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly accurate. Xanax can be detected up to 5-7 days after taking the drug in the urine of a healthy individual. The detection window can be extended for older people or those with a slower metabolic rate.
Xanax Blood Tests
In the medical field, blood tests are only performed in emergencies. The detection period is also minimal. Xanax stays in your blood for about 24 hours and can be detected.
Xanax Saliva Tests
Saliva tests can detect Xanax up to 2.5 days after your last dose.
Xanax Hair Follicle Test
Hair tests offer the most prolonged detection period. Xanax is detectable in hair for 90 days after use and up to 2-3 weeks.
The individual factors that determine how long Xanax stays in your system
Several factors can affect the time it takes for Xanax to be removed from your body and detected in a drug test. These include:
- Age and weight, metabolism, mental health, and other factors Those with a slow metabolism, those who are overweight, or have a liver dysfunction will take longer for Xanax to be processed and excreted. A young person with a healthy liver function will not take nearly as long to remove Xanax.
- Frequency of Xanax use, dosage, and duration of drug use – Your drug-related habits will influence how long your body processes Xanax. The longer Xanax stays in your system, the higher the dosage, and the more frequently you use it, the more likely it is to appear on a drug test. The more drugs you use, the more metabolites your body produces. This means the urine takes longer to remove all these metabolites.
- Alcohol intake and nicotine intake_ Alcohol and nicotine can slow the metabolization of Xanax and cause it to remain in your body longer.
There is no way of knowing exactly how long a drug will remain detectable on a drug test. The best way to ensure you pass a drug screen is to avoid Xanax abuse.
How to Get Out of the Xanax Effect?
Detoxification occurs when the body rids itself of toxins. You may wonder how to speed up the detox process to pass a drug test. Unfortunately, this is not a safe method. To get Xanax from your system, you must let your body run its natural processes.
You may come across a lot of myths on the internet about fake urine, homemade remedies, or detox cleanses. However, there are only two things you can do to be realistic.
- Stay hydrated
- Do not take any more Xanax
It’s not easy to stop Xanax, nor is it safe. Abruptly stopping Xanax may cause withdrawal symptoms such as extreme anxiety, depression, seizures, and suicidal thought. If you’re serious about quitting Xanax for good, it is best to get help from a medical center.