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Hydro/ Xanax: Untoward side effect nearly killed me.
June 21, 2005, 11:53 PM
~David~
Hydro/ Xanax: Untoward side effect nearly killed me.
Verr recently, I had an unfortunate episode that could have been disasterous to say the least.
I do not know if this is an "isolated" event, (idiosyncratic response) or actually a typical side effect of combining these two meds.
First off, I do not take Xanax first thing in the morning. I do keep a bottle in my glove box, because just knowing they are available, is sort of a safety net. I do take my Hydro in the am as directed. To sum this up, freeway driving alway's puts me on edge, I hate it, I was anticipating a LONG drive to central Az...because sitting in one position for extended periods of time is usually a painful experience with those of us with DDD, AND the thought of freeway driving, I took the max dose of Hydro. PLUS took a Xanax. I was fine until I was way into the back roads of Az. then it hit me, I started feeling whoozy, and before you know it, I am driving down a weedy stretch, clear off the highway. My God, talk about panic, AND remorse! I could have easily taken out a family of six. Imagine living with that! Do you think this was an isolated incident, an "idiosyncratic" side effecr (not an effect found in the majority of of users) or is this typical of side effects of a Hydro/Xanax combo?...God know, NO MORE Xanax for me unless I am in crisis, and then I will not drive, my significant other has already said, "No more Hydro after 5pm unless it is critical.
I am SO grateful I did not hurt anyone! God, or an Angel was at my side. I would love to hear imput on this tioic!
June 22, 2005, 12:16 AM
alphabeta
No not at all is this unusual, first of all I would never drive on Hydro. Secondly
taking a benzo on top of that is double your trouble as far as driving gos.
You were asking for trouble in IMO.
Please don't drive on Hydro..I have taken klonopin at home and gotten woozy too woozy to
drive and have fallen asleep after taking klonopin. Yes you were very lucky.
I hope it was a lesson learned this was no unusual side effect but very predictable.
Dave I didn't even see who wrote the message before I started typing lol
Sorry to be so blunt, but I wouldn't change what I said okay..glad nobody was hurt.
However let me say I had no business trying to tell you what to do. I sounded like
Madd but it was just MHO okay not meant to be bossy..I don't know why I acted that way
so again my apologies , its me that makes a choice not to drive. I should not try and tell
other's what to do in this kind of forum.
Alpha
June 22, 2005, 11:41 AM
cehrriins
First, I'm glad you're okay and no one was injured. (Me wiping sweat off my brow) Whew! Don't feel bad about what happened. A friend of mine was on anti-depressants for years and had never had problems driving or working or anything. Her doctor started her on Serzone. The first day she took it, she got lost on the way to work - a job she'd had for about 7 years! I know you already know this, but it doesn't hurt to hear it: Things happen. We learn from them and we move on. Please don't let it cause you any more anxiety than you're already dealing with. (I have G.A.D. myself.)
Second, I looked up the interactions on
www.drugs.com and this is straight from that site:
Quote:
alprazolam and acetaminophen-hydrocodone (moderate Drug-Drug)
Description:
MONITOR:
Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.
MANAGEMENT:
During concomitant use of these drugs, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be made aware of the possibility of additive CNS effects (e.g., drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion) and counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them. Patients should also be advised to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.
I see this interaction with lots of drugs, but I think maybe your max dose of hydro made the drowsiness worse. Not a doctor, or even a pharmacist. . .just a person who has learned more than I ever thought I would about prescription drugs. 
Take Care, Shaman!
Erin
June 22, 2005, 11:55 AM
LvsFan
Wow, Dave, so glad that experience didn't end in tragedy! Situational anxiety is so hard to cope with. When I was taking Xanax (which I got terribly addicted to, but that's another story), I learned to take a tiny piece before facing one of my own panic triggers, & always have some w/ me. My doctor had told me abt chewing it up & leaving some under the tongue when a bad attack hit, so that's what I did. After pulling off the road, or getting out of whatever the situation was. That way I could feel safe, & sometimes didn't need the extra; as you said, just knowing it's available helps sometimes.
June 22, 2005, 01:47 PM
Rosie
I have never heard of this, but I will make sure never to do
the same thing you did. Thank you for your honesty because
knowing this can save a lot of pain for somebody else.
June 22, 2005, 01:59 PM
Pharmboy
WOW! I guess that is the meaning of "getting a wake up call". Glad you are okay. I don't take benzos regularly, but when I do, I notice they make me very drowsy (which is one reason to take them). I know on long trips, PKs can make me drowsy also. I have had to pull off the road many times to nap, whether it is the medication or just plain tiredness. Many times, over the years, I have caught myself nodding off for a split second on the freeway. And that is a scary feeling. Hang in there.
Take care
PB
June 22, 2005, 03:07 PM
steve39
ive taken both for a cpl years now and never had something like this happen, do you usually take the 2 amounts you did that day ? or did you take more than you normally do because of the drive? at least no1 got hurt.
June 22, 2005, 07:08 PM
alphabeta
I can relate to that in a similar way I carry an asthma inhaler always, and just knowing
I have it in my pocket has probably kept me from having a bad asthma attack. Its a
crutch but when it comes to breathing a necessary crutch..
regards,
Alpha
June 23, 2005, 01:20 AM
kittylove
well i just wrote a long post concerning this and don't know where it went. bottom line. you took a hydro for pain and a xanax for anxiety not to get HIGH. the crime is when people go out and drink to get high and kill people...glad no one got hurt and maybe in the future pull over and call someone if you can. i have experienced what you have and know how easy it is to happen. i have major anxiety attacks and a knee replacment. i go to school full time an work full time... i have to function. don't beat your self up....take care kl
June 23, 2005, 01:45 AM
Sugar_Bunny
All the defensive apologetic posturing about this incident is strange to me. Just because you have an affliction, and we all do here, does not mean you have license to abandon your responsibility to take your therapies with caution and regard to other people. No one faults you for needing your medication, but your choices were, at best, dangerously ignorant. It says on the bottle (BOTH BOTTLES) Do Not Operate Machinery. And, for the life of me, if operating a machine like a vehicle, is what prompts your panic (freeways, you mentioned) I can't see why you would choose to put yourself in a possibly debilitating situation that would endanger people?!?!? This may sound judgemental, but I think it's just truthful. We all have to look out for one another. At least you posted a reminder for anyone who is oblivious to the warnings that accompany these medicines.
alphabeta you hit the nail on the head and I don't think you needed to apologize for it.
-Sugar
June 23, 2005, 02:56 AM
alphabeta
I don't think there's any law against taking meds and driving its kind of a use your own
judgement
thing. Even if you have an accident unless there's something unusual about
your behavior, your not likely to be charged with anything unless of course if its your fault.
Unlike alcohol or weed where the can smell it they probably would have no probable-cause to
draw any blood..
Thats why my new Dr copped out when he said what if you have a wreck
on hydro I have prescribed for you I could get sued..That doesn't hold water cuz unless I
took an awful lot of hydros and was almost in a coma. I don't see how the authorities
would know.
He was
making excuses because he was copping out on prescribing pain pills to me. But I forgive him
cuz he referred me back to my old Pain specialist and all is cool now!
Alpha
June 23, 2005, 03:30 AM
kittylove
i geuss i was just saying who hasn't taken their medicine and drove???? i have. i've had too. as long as your takign them as prescribed. i have been on pain med. for about 5 years and nerve medicine for 6 years. i don't take it unless i feel a panic attcack or anxiety attack coming. I was jus uderstanding his point of view. it could happen to any of us, i think.. when you have a full life and don't have time to take off becasue of the medicine the dr. gives you. thats all, thanks, kitty love
June 23, 2005, 04:11 AM
alphabeta
Thats true, I hope I didn't make an enemy of Dave from my blunt reply to
his near-miss. I didn't mean to be that sanctimonious. I have imbibed many drinks
and driven so many times . God was looking out for whomever was in my path.
Thank goodness I was able to get a handle on that problem. I did get one DUI, could have
been many more. But anyway I understand what your saying kittylove.
Hows the kitties? mine are rockin' right along.
Alpha
June 23, 2005, 03:32 PM
steve39
i have to argue that if you have an accident and are found to be on prescription meds, you can be charged with driving under the influence .if they feel the meds altered your judgement you will be tested
June 23, 2005, 03:38 PM
CherokeeRose
Wow, if I waited until I was never taking any medications, I would never drive or leave my house again. It's a matter of being careful and responsible, it does not say"do not drive" at all, it says "wait until you know how you react to your medicine before operating machinery".
JMO
