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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is .25mg Of Xanax For Sleep Apnea Harmful?

I am a 60 year old, female, 5'4" and 177lbs. My question is that I have mild sleep apnea and take .25 mg of xanax at 4PM and at midnight everyday. I am wondering how dangerous is this? I am afraid of dying in my sleep. I tried using the CPAP machine , but it put too much air pressure into my ears and stomach. I also took 5mg of Ambien during the sleep study and feel that maybe it contributed to some of the results. Thanks for your help
Mon, 10 Nov 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM
You have mentioned that you suffer from sleep apnea and have used CPAP in past.

First i would like to tell you some general precautions for sleep apnea:
Quit alcohol if you take any.
Go for a morning walk daily.
Consult your physician if suffer from frequent sore throats and tonsillitis.

Regarding the treatment of sleep apnea:
CPAP is the treatment of choice. But you have mentioned that you cant tolerate it.
Another option is you can keep taking ambien for sleep as it is relatively safer than XANAX.
Xanax or other drugs of similar class cause relaxation of muscles of upper airway which can be dangerous in sleep apnea. So avoid this drug.

Hope this info helps you.
Thanks.
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Is .25mg Of Xanax For Sleep Apnea Harmful?

Hello Welcome to HCM You have mentioned that you suffer from sleep apnea and have used CPAP in past. First i would like to tell you some general precautions for sleep apnea: Quit alcohol if you take any. Go for a morning walk daily. Consult your physician if suffer from frequent sore throats and tonsillitis. Regarding the treatment of sleep apnea: CPAP is the treatment of choice. But you have mentioned that you cant tolerate it. Another option is you can keep taking ambien for sleep as it is relatively safer than XANAX. Xanax or other drugs of similar class cause relaxation of muscles of upper airway which can be dangerous in sleep apnea. So avoid this drug. Hope this info helps you. Thanks.