Xanax for flying

[disneydreamerinny]

After reading a couple of recent posts, I have some questions for some of you who have used Xanax for flying. I got an Rx from my provider for .25mg for the trip.
My questions are...
1. How long does it take to become effective?
2. How long does it take to wear off?
3. How long before you are able to drive after taking it?

 

[rentayenta]

After reading a couple of recent posts, I have some questions for some of you who have used Xanax for flying. I got an Rx from my provider for .25mg for the trip.
My questions are...
1. How long does it take to become effective?
2. How long does it take to wear off?
3. How long before you are able to drive after taking it?

There are many variables: weight, metabolism, med interaction etc..... Sorry. Each person reacts differently to medications. I'd ask your doc. I'm tiny and you'd think .25 might knock me on my butt but my metabolism is fast and I process meds very quickly.

 

[cyb]

After reading a couple of recent posts, I have some questions for some of you who have used Xanax for flying. I got an Rx from my provider for .25mg for the trip.
My questions are...
1. How long does it take to become effective?
2. How long does it take to wear off?
3. How long before you are able to drive after taking it?

I have taken Xanax .25 mg and I drive while taking it. I have used it for dentist appointments, I take one before I get in the car and drive myself there, my dentist said that was a very small dose and that I could even take 2 if neccesary but I never have. I suppose everyone is different though. Just for reference I'm 5'1 105 pounds.

 

[Firefly09]

I'm 5'3" and a half tab of that dose would knock me out in 10 minutes. Like others have mentioned everyone is different. I would try it at home first, starting with a half tab and see how you feel. I certainly wouldn't recommend taking it for the first time on the plane and expect to drive right afterwards.

 

[sydsmom1997]

I take 0.25 mg once daily on a regular basis for panic disorder, so when I fly I have to take 2 tablets (this was instructed by my physician). On the way down, I took it one hour before take off and it helped me a lot. On the flight home, I did not get a chance to take it until 30 minutes before take off and it did not take affect until we were in the air for 30 minutes. This was not good, as I am a bad flier (especially ascending). Everyone is different. My recommendation would be to experiment by taking a dose a couple of days before you leave and see how your body responds. Xanax never zombifies me, but I do not like to drive for a few hours after I take it. It's always best to ask for the suggestion of your doctor though.

 

[Anna114]

It takes 45 minutes for my .5 to take affect. I rarely use it but boy when I need it, it's a God send.

 

[michsig]

It really depends on your body! Before flying, I always take Ativan (Lorezepam) 1 mg. It takes a tiny bit longer to get into your system than Xanax, but totally knocks me on my *** when I do take it (it's what I need! Not a fan of flying) .. I usually am okay to drive once I reach our destination, but I do feel groggy for the rest of the day!

 

[michsig]

Oh and just for reference! I am 5'3 110 lbs

 

[nikki7680]

My husband takes it every time we fly! He takes it about 15 to 20 minutes before we board the plane. Sometimes he sleeps, sometimes he doesn't. We have never driven after the flight (always Magical Express) but I think he would be fine. It doesn't make him extra sleepy or loopy. Basically it just calms his nerves.

 

[MushyMushy]

Like others have said, it all depends on your metabolism and such. You can take a dose at home to see how it will affect you, but I found out the hard way that taking it at home when you're calm is a far cry from taking it when you're scared out of your mind. The last time I flew, I took .25 about a half hour before boarding, then took another one right before boarding when that didn't work. Then on the plane, I took another. That seemed to do the trick and I had a wonderful flight.

Now on a different flight that .75 wasn't quite enough.

 

[gizfish]

It can take about 45 minutes to become effective. It should last at least 4 hours. You should check with the doc or pharmacist on when it is safe to drive, but it is UNSAFE to drive while under the influence of Xanax despite what some have stated here, especially since it is your first time taking it and you are not using this medication every day throughout the day. I understand people who need to take it frequently also need to function in every day life, but if you were pulled over or had an accident while driving and being on this medication you would be cited for driving under the influence of drugs.

 

[RMAMom]

Having worked for a psychiatrist I have seen some very strong reactions to Xanax. If this is the first time you are taking this med please take it before your trip and make sure there is another adult with you when you try it.

You never know how you will react, we have had patients take it and laugh uncontrollably, or cry, or become paranoid. Chances are good that you will take it and be fine but I wouldn't take it for the first time on a travel day.

 

[niffer5150]

I take the stuff as needed but it really can effect people in differant ways. And really, don't drive on it. Ive witnessed a car crash because some lady took xanex and drove. She was so out of it she refused emt help and wandered off into the night despite having some obvious fractures. Its not worth the risk.

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I always take Xanax to fly. I would do what the others suggest and try a dose before you fly. I took too much when we went to Cancun, and I have no recollection of going through customs, or even riding home from the airport. It usually makes me sleep through the whole flight. I won't fly without it!!

 

[Figment43]

For me, a 120 lb female with a .25 mg dose...

1) About 30-45 min.
2) Lasts all day for me.
3) Usually 2-3 hrs.

I have a take as needed prescription. When things get so bad that I feel the need to take it, it starts working usually within 30 min. I feel drowsy for a couple hours, so I make it a point to take a nap. When I wake up from the nap, I feel completely free of stress for the rest of the day and the drowsiness is gone.

However, it's different for everyone, so I would recommend trying it before you leave if you have a day off so you will know how it affects you without interrupting important things. It's important to note that constipation is a big side effect of it for me, so you will want to take extra steps to avoid that.

 

[disneydreamerinny]

It can take about 45 minutes to become effective. It should last at least 4 hours. You should check with the doc or pharmacist on when it is safe to drive, but it is UNSAFE to drive while under the influence of Xanax despite what some have stated here, especially since it is your first time taking it and you are not using this medication every day throughout the day. I understand people who need to take it frequently also need to function in every day life, but if you were pulled over or had an accident while driving and being on this medication you would be cited for driving under the influence of drugs.

Thanks! I should be OK then. We have a 3 hour flight, them Magical express to resort, then lunch, then we are shuttled to go pick up rental car.

 

[LeahA]

I used to suffer from panic attacks on the ground and in the air, now I only have them if I am on a plane. I am alot heavier than the earlier posters on this thread. I take 1 pill a .25 mg pill about 30 minutes before boarding, it takes the edge off but the last flight I could still feel a little bit. My doctor said that I could take another one, but it was a short flight and I just dealt with it. It makes me sleepy but doesn't knock me out.

Having a fear of flying totally stinks, and I hate that I have panic attacks while I do it. I wish that I could fly without taking anything but I can't. If that is what I have to do to travel with my family that is what I will do. I never am knocked out by dosage, just very relaxed.

Good Luck to you!!!

 

[rdearth]

Like I said in the other thread, take an over the counter sleeping pill like Sominex. For one thing, you don't have to worry about a script or worrying about it being checked by TSA. Also, your adrenaline will probably keep it from knocking you out during the flight and your excitement of being on vacation will keep it from making you feel groggy when you get there. Just don't take very much of it. Works for me.

 

[lucyem]

Xanax does nothing for me. I get something stronger/works better for me. When we were trying meds I did take them at home to make sure I had no adverse reactions. When I flew a lot I found the more I flew the less anxious I was and the less meds I needed.

 

[dragonfly08]

As others have said, it depends on how you metabolize the dose.

I used to have twice yearly MRIs and needed something to calm down in the machine. I'd drive to my appointment, take a low dose when I got there, and by the time it was my turn I'd be nice and relaxed. The appointment lasted 45-60 minutes so by the time that was over, I'd redressed, checked out, and gotten to the car I was fine to drive home.

But 1) I didn't take Xanax, so that may differ, and 2) I'm not sure how my dosage compared; I do know it was the lowest possible dose available, just enough to take my edge off.

Basically, check with your doc and maybe consider a "trial run" at home to see how the dosage affects you.