Xanax and Asthma

[mieny]

Has anyone taken Xanax that has asthma?  Did the medication affect the asthma?

[Jeezzzaaa]

Please answer quick and with the truth I am having problem breathing and it’s somtimes hard to take a big breath if I take Xanax will my breathing get worse?

[Paxiled]

This post is really really old.  If you make a new post, you might get more answers, but this isn't really a question for this forum.  The issue for you is why you're having trouble breathing, which is a question for a doctor.  The question about Xanax is a question for your prescribing psychiatrist or a pharmacist, as there are no experts on here.  I really can't see how taking a normal amount of a benzo would affect breathing -- the post about depressing breathing would involve taking a lot of it, such as when it's used as an anesthetic.  But if your problem is anxiety, and you are anxious about anything including taking a drug, then you might make yourself more anxious.  So what you really need to do is figure out why you have a breathing problem and deal with the underlying anxiety problem through therapy or if necessary medication.  There are also breathing exercises you can learn to relax your breathing if the cause is anxiety.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello, if you are having difficulty breathing even if it is a panic attack, we advise you to seek immediate medical attention.  All the best to you.  

[allmymarbles]

Let me add a caution here. Xanax is a respiratory depressant. The dosage I mention is very small. Given that I have asthma I would never take a large dose of Xanax or any other respiratory depressant.

[allmymarbles]

I have asthma and I was taking small does of Xanax briefly to (and this is ironic) treat the adrenal fatigue caused by my asthma medication. The adrenal problem caused anxiety and panic attacks. I only took the Xanax when I felt an attack impending.

It did not affect my asthma and might have helped it. You know how upset you become when you have a spate of bad asthma. Your anxiety can actually make it worse. Xanax, by lessening the anxiety, helped. I learned this accidentally when I took it for the adrenal problem. I also noticed a very odd effect on my intolerance of cold. As an asthmatic, you probably suffer as soon as the cold wind hits you. I found, also accidentally, that with Xanax I could tolerate the cold. I am not exactly sure why.

The dosage of Xanax I was given was very small - only .25 mg. I found I could usually manage on just half a tablet. The less of that stuff you can take, the better. Also I never used it for maintenance, but took it erratically, on an as-needed basis. That is very important because it is highly addictive.

Since your are on this forum I presume your main problem is anxiety. Since an adrenal malfunction can cause anxiety, have you ever been tested for this? It is a simple saliva and urine test.

[skmedlin27703]

My best friend takes Xanax and has asthma and she says it doesn't affect it. I would think it only would if you took too much or more than the recommended dosage.

[MrGreen]

It is not something I have myself. But it is not listed on the xanax fact sheet. But if you are taken antihistamines, which I assume is for asthma, then let you doctor know, as it may increase the effects of the xanax. Age might come into it as well. I doubt if you are 80 or even close on that. I would say the older the person is and if the breathing was really bad it may effect them. But a younger person should be ok. No doubt others will reply to your post as well.

[mammo]

Because we all react differently to medications, I would check with your pharmacist about any interactions, or call your doctor.  Take care...