Xanax and Melatonin are prescribed to treat insomnia in patients. Insomnia is regarded as one of the commonest symptoms of anxiety that are why both medications deal either with anxiety itself (Xanax) or with its signs and symptoms (Melatonin).
Latest researches proved that anxiety interferes with one’s ability to fall asleep. It also makes you turn or toss throughout the night. When the chosen treatment option is correct, insomnia vanishes within a week. But can you mix Xanax and Melatonin to achieve optimal results faster?
Xanax or Melatonin: Which Is Better?
Is melatonin like Xanax? Melatonin is commonly referred as a dietary supplement that helps in achieving normal sleep patterns. It was approved for medical uses. And now it comes as an oral solution, tablets (oral and sublingual) and orally disintegrating solid.
Though benefits of the administration are out of the question, side effects bother many users. In fact, there are more than just enough of them:
- Breathing problems;
- Skin rash or hives;
- Swelling of the body parts and itching;
- Mild and severe allergic reactions;
- Irritability;
- Mood swings;
- Unusual behavior;
- Depressed mood;
- Irregular heartbeat (or fast heartbeat);
- Missed and/or irregular menstrual periods;
- Milk leakage from nipples;
- Liver injury symptoms;
- Unusual bruising and bleeding;
- Sleep-walking.
Of course, there are less serious conditions like headaches and drowsiness. Yet if they aren’t usual for you, call 911.
Administration of Alprazolam vs. mel uh TOH nin is discussed in the medical circles. But at first, a patient needs to know about Xanax.
Can you take Xanax with melatonin? To start with, Xanax is prescribed for panic and anxiety disorders. It can be used for insomnia treatment only if the condition is triggered by anxiety and stress. There are Xanax and Xanax XR. The first option is a regular pill, the second one is an extended release tablet. The remedy is very effective in ensuring the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms that may be linked to depression. It’s a fast-acting drug.
As to the side effects of Alprazolam, their list is long. The the most common side effects are:
- Headaches and migraines;
- Drowsiness and dizziness;
- Vision and memory problems;
- Upset stomach or constipation;
- Nausea and/or vomiting;
- Dry mouth and stuffy nose;
- Weight loss and decreased appetite.
Taking Xanax with Melatonin can be a very risky choice, especially when it’s done without professional consultation and support.
Mixing Melatonin and Xanax: Drug Interaction
It is a known fact that Melatonin can trigger even more adverse reactions than it usually does in case it is combined with other remedies. Alprazolam or Xanax is in the list of those drugs that melatonin always interacts with. Both medications are sedatives. They lead to extreme drowsiness and sleepiness.
What do the researchers say? They have found out that there’s a difference between Xanax and Melatonin. Yet the drugs reduce even the highest levels of anxiety if they are consumed together. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. However, there’s evidence that Melatonin compared to Xanax is associated with a significant increase of GABA concentrations in one’s CNS. The higher the dose is, the greater sedation is.
Some minor problems that have occurred after Xanax vs. Melatonin combination were:
- Nausea and/or mild vomiting;
- Headaches;
- Dizziness and restlessness.
However, reactions differ from patients to patients. There were groups that reported no side effects at all. It means that Melatonin vs. Xanax combination is relatively safe. It reduces anxiety better than any of these drugs administered alone. No wonder more and more patients are recommended this combination even in the most severe cases.
Author: Dr. Andrew J. Olson
Dr. Andrew J. Olson is a PHD in psychiatry. He is also a psychiatrist consultant at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. He also serves as a Clinical Director of the Department of Psychiatry, at Royal Marsden Hospital, in London, UK.
