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Does Xanax Cause Weight Gain?

Published: June 3, 2022 Updated: November 24, 2022
Published: 06/03/2022 Updated: 11/24/2022
Carolina Osorio MD Headshot
Written by:

Carolina Osario

MD
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • Can Xanax Make You Gain Weight?Xanax Weight Gain
  • Why Does Xanax Make You Gain Weight?Causes
  • Impacts of Short Term vs Long Term Use On Weight GainImpacts
  • Ways to Manage Xanax Weight GainManagement
  • Questions to Ask Your Health Team About Xanax Weight GainWhat to Ask
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Carolina Osorio MD Headshot
Written by:

Carolina Osario

MD
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD

Weight gain is a potential side effect of Xanax, meaning it has been reported in clinical studies.The generic form of Xanax is alprazolam. Xanax can also cause people to feel chronically tired; therefore, a decline in physical activity can lead to weight gain. Other mechanisms that can cause weight gain are changes in the sleep cycle and appetite. Xanax’s potential side effects also include insomnia and increase in appetite.1

Boxed Warning: Alprazolam (Xanax)

Risks of Alprazolam (Xanax) Include Misuse, Addiction, Withdrawal and Even Death

Alprazolam, the active ingredient in Xanax, has a black box warning. These are the most serious types of warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  • Taking Xanax, a benzodiazepine, with other opioid medications increases your risk for serious side effects that include severe sedation, slower breathing, coma, and death. Xanax should not be taken with an opioid unless there are no other options.
  • Taking Xanax can lead to misuse (abuse) and addiction of the medication, which can increase your risk of overdose and death.
  • Using Xanax can lead to physical dependence and this risk increases the longer you take Xanax. If you suddenly stop taking Xanax, you can experience withdrawal. Withdrawal can be life threatening. Xanax should only be discontinued by gradual tapering of the dose.

Can Xanax Make You Gain Weight?

Xanax has multiple side effects, fatigue being one of the most common. It is usually more likely to occur when people take Xanax at higher doses, but it can also occur at lower doses, depending on each individual’s metabolism. Fatigue is also more common if Xanax is used for more extended periods. This way, people decrease their physical activity and therefore cause weight gain.

Xanax works as a central nervous system depressant. This can affect your appetite as well as your sleep. People using Xanax can also develop insomnia. Insomnia is also highly correlated with weight gain. Insomnia is also associated with changes in your appetite, therefore, contributing to weight gain. An increased appetite was also reported as a side effect with Xanax.

It’s important to note that in clinical studies, Xanax also caused weight loss and a decrease in appetite. All of these side effects (weight gain, weight loss, appetite changes) also occurred in the placebo group of patients. A placebo is designed to look like a treatment but does not have any medication.

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Why Does Xanax Make You Gain Weight?

Xanax is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a medication to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time to prevent more severe side effects and the risk of dependence and withdrawal (it should also not be mixed with alcohol).

Xanax may make you gain weight due to the following factors:

  • Mood changes: higher doses of Xanax are associated with more significant central nervous system depressant effects. This can either make people feel depressed or worsen the symptoms of depression. People with depression often lack the motivation to do things and can spend days in bed or sedentary.
  • Decreasing your energy levels: Xanax targets the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. When bound to the GABA-A receptor, Xanax mediates the calming or inhibitory effects of alprazolam on the human nervous system. This can make people taking Xanax feel low energy or even tired or exhausted.
  • Appetite changes: Xanax can cause both a decreased or an increased appetite. It also can affect your sleep patterns, which can negatively affect your appetite. Poor sleep is associated with increased appetite.

Impacts of Short Term vs Long Term Use On Weight Gain

Long-term use of Xanax, in general, is controversial and not recommended, although commonly practiced. Xanax should be used for a short period or on an as-needed basis. In clinical trials, Xanax was used for up to 10 weeks and 28% of people experienced weight gain. It’s important to note that 24% of people experienced weight loss, and weight gain and weight loss were also seen in the placebo group, at 18% and 17% respectively. You should talk with your doctor before starting Xanax if you are concerned about weight changes with treatment. 2

Ways to Manage Xanax Weight Gain

While weight gain may be a side effect, alert your physician so you can discuss whether or not the benefits of being on this anxiety medication outweigh the impact of the side effects. Always consult your physician before making changes on your own.

Some ways to manage weight gain from Xanax may include:

  • Adjust doses: reducing the frequency and dose of the medication may improve your energy levels
  • Switch medications: other medications that can help with anxiety and panic attacks may be available that do not affect weight
  • Eat healthy/more mindfully: being mindful of what you eat can also help with a healthy weight; schedule your meals to prevent binging after prolonged periods without eating adequately
  • Increase exercise: to have optimal weight, eating a balanced diet and increasing exercise are necessary
  • Work with a dietician to manage caloric intake/nutrition: if you have problems with weight gain even after making changes to your eating habits, working with a dietitian will help significantly

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Questions to Ask Your Health Team About Xanax Weight Gain

Even though weight gain is not a usual side effect of Xanax, it has been reported. It’s important to talk with your doctor about your treatment plan and ask any questions that may help inform your decisions about taking Xanax and any concerns for weight gain.

Here are five questions to ask your care team about Xanax weight gain:

  1. Can I gain weight with Xanax?
  2. Does the dose and frequency of how I take Xanax affect my weight?
  3. Adding Xanax to other medications makes weight gain worse?
  4. How can I avoid gaining weight while taking Xanax?
  5. If I gain weight on Xanax, will I lose the weight if I stop taking it?

Final Thoughts

Xanax has the risk of side effects, including the possibility of weight gain. You should talk with your doctor about the potential side effects before starting any medication.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month). Get Started

Medication + Therapy

Brightside Health – Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna accepted. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Brightside, Hims / Hers, and  Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
2 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • DailyMed – XANAX- alprazolam tablet. (n.d.). DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=388e249d-b9b6-44c3-9f8f-880eced0239f

  • Ait-Daoud et Al. A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal. J Addict Med. 2018 ; 12(1): 4–10. doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000350. A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal (nih.gov)

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Carolina Osorio MD Headshot
Written by:

Carolina Osario

MD
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • Can Xanax Make You Gain Weight?Xanax Weight Gain
  • Why Does Xanax Make You Gain Weight?Causes
  • Impacts of Short Term vs Long Term Use On Weight GainImpacts
  • Ways to Manage Xanax Weight GainManagement
  • Questions to Ask Your Health Team About Xanax Weight GainWhat to Ask
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
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