The Dangerous Side Effects of Injecting Xanax

When people inject Xanax, the risk of fatal overdose is exponentially higher. Injecting Xanax can also lead to HIV infections, respiratory depression, heart attack and stroke.

Xanax is a prescription, brand-name drug with the generic name alprazolam. It belongs to a larger class of prescription drugs called benzodiazepines or benzos. Benzos are intended to treat anxiety and panic disorders, and they’re among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S.

Due to the widespread misuse of Xanax, people frequently have dangerous questions such as “can you shoot Xanax,” and “how to inject Xanax.” When people use this medication in ways other than what’s intended, or mix it with something such as opioids or alcohol, it often contributes to fatal overdoses.

Why do people inject Xanax?

The idea of injecting Xanax should be scary to people, but unfortunately, many continue to use Xanax in unprescribed ways. Many people think that by shooting Xanax directly into the bloodstream it’s possible to feel a stronger high, faster. 

Before searching for how to shoot Xanax, people should take note of these warnings.

Negative side effects of injecting Xanax pills

From death to long term health conditions, there are many negative consequences to abusing Xanax. For instance:

Overdose

When you’re shooting up Xanax, you’re increasing your chances of overdosing. Xanax medicine is designed to be metabolized by the liver first, which reduces the amount of Xanax to the prescribed dosage. Injecting Xanax puts a significantly higher level of medicine directly into the bloodstream, which can lead to overdose.

People who inject drugs, especially when they’re central nervous system depressants, are at a much higher risk of fatal respiratory depression and death. If you are injecting Xanax and mixing it with other central nervous depressants like alcohol or opioids, the Xanax overdose risks are exponentially higher.

Cardiovascular problems & disease

There are not just the risks of shooting up Xanax specifically to consider. Injecting anything directly into your veins can leave you at risk for sores, abscesses, infections and diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis C. It can also lead to problems with your heart and other organs. For the most part, Xanax isn’t very water-soluble. People choosing to take the drug intravenously must dissolve it in alcohol, which is even more dangerous. Xanax that is not fully dissolved can lead to blockages in blood vessels, causing stroke, heart attack and other problems. There is no upside to the idea of injecting Xanax, and it doesn’t even tend to create the powerful high most people are searching for.

Addiction

When someone is researching how to inject Xanax, they should also realize they’re displaying symptoms of someone suffering from substance use disorder. Even if you’re prescribed Xanax and want to get more of an effect from shooting it, this is misusing the drug. Taking a prescription medication in any way that’s outside of what a doctor prescribes is inherently considered drug misuse.

Are you worried about your use of Xanax or other drugs? Do you have concerns about a loved one? If so, please call the Recovery Village. We have answers when you feel like there’s nowhere else to turn in the battle against the disease of addiction.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Benjamin Caleb Williams, RN

Benjamin Caleb Williams is a board-certified Emergency Nurse with several years of clinical experience, including supervisory roles within the ICU and ER settings. Read more