How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System

Xanax is a medicine given to people with anxiety and panic problems. It’s a type of drug called benzodiazepine, which can slow down certain things in the brain. Depending on where you look in the body (like blood, urine, or hair), Xanax can be found for a pretty long time, up to 90 days.

Xanax can make you feel good and relaxed, but it can also be addictive. It’s not safe to work or drive when you’re on it. Sometimes, employers or the police might test you for it. So, people who take Xanax often wonder how long it will impact them and how long it will show up in tests. Let’s know how long does xanax stay in your urine forum and how long does xanax stay in your system:

Xanax’s Half-Life

Half-life means how long it takes for your body to break down and get rid of half of a drug. Usually, it takes about five half-lives for a drug to completely leave your body, and then you can’t find it anymore.

For Xanax, its half-life is around 12.5 hours for the regular kind and about 16 hours for the kind that works slowly. However, this time can be different for each person. It can be longer if you’re older, not very healthy, heavy, or taking other drugs at the same time.

Know More: Blue Xanax: What it Does and Why We Should Be Careful

How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System

Xanax is a controlled substance, and people using it often want to know how long it will show up in tests. If you’re a mom breastfeeding, you might be worried about how it affects your baby. The time it stays in your system depends on the type of test.

Urine

Urine tests are common and can detect Xanax for up to four days after you last took it.

Blood

Blood tests can find Xanax for about 27 hours after use. They’re usually done right after something like a car accident.

Saliva

Saliva tests are less common but can spot Xanax for up to two days after the last dose.

Hair

Hair tests are rare, but they can reveal Xanax use for up to 90 days with a small hair sample.

Breast Milk

If you’re breastfeeding, Xanax can be in your breast milk for about three days. This might affect your baby, so talk to your doctor if you need to take it while breastfeeding. They might suggest a shorter-acting option.

Factors That Affect Durations and Absorption

Things That Affect How Long Xanax Works and Stays in Your Body:

Body Fat

Xanax likes to hang out in body fat. If you’re overweight, it can stick around in your system for much longer compared to someone with a normal weight.

Liver Problems

Xanax gets processed in the liver before it’s removed from your body. If your liver is unhealthy, like from drinking too much alcohol, Xanax will stay in your body longer.

Getting Older

As you get older, your body works differently. Your metabolism changes, and your kidneys may not work as well. This can make Xanax stay in your body for a longer time.

Race

Some racial groups may break down Xanax more gradually than others. For example, Xanax can stay in Asian people’s bodies about 25% longer than in other groups.

Can Xanax Be Removed from the Body

Once you’ve taken Xanax, you can’t make it leave your body faster. It gets into your system within a few hours and spreads all over, even in your brain. Your liver breaks it down, and your kidneys get rid of it, but you can’t make this process go quicker.

Drug Tests and Prescriptions

Usually, if you have a proper Xanax prescription, testing positive for it on a drug test is okay. In fact, if you’re prescribed Xanax and the test says you didn’t take it, that might make people suspicious.

If you have a prescription, you can consult your doctor to write a letter to the people doing the drug test. Or your employer might check an electronic database to see your prescription history. But in some jobs, like truck drivers or airline pilots, even with a prescription, taking Xanax might be a problem for safety reasons.

Employment and Drugs

If you take drugs like Xanax as your doctor tells you, it usually won’t make you do worse at work. But sometimes, if you feel extra sleepy or confused because of the drug, it can affect your job.

If you have a prescription for Xanax and it’s making it hard to work, talk to your doctor. They might change your dose or give you a different medicine that helps your condition but doesn’t make you feel funny at work.

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