I am having an MRI tomorrow, and I get claustrophobic in those machines. My doctor gave me 3 XANAX to take, but no instructions on when to take them.... it is 3 pills and the label says take 1 pill 3x a day.... but I was thinking I might only need 1 pill? The MRI is at 7:30 PM on Tuesday night.... so could I take it at 7 PM and would it be working for the MRI? Or 6 PM? I don't want to take all 3- over the period of the day - as I need to drive tomorrow, and have no idea how these work.... plus, I am a big guy.... 265 pounds. My doctor is now on vacation, so I can't ask her.
You need to find how many milligrams each pill is. You should probably call your pharmacist and ask them about the dosage.
Thanks.... called the pharmacy.... was told 1st pill 3 hours before, 2nd pill 90 minutes before, 3rd pill 30 minutes before. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to call the pharmacy.
So Papa Deuce - I am not sure I would follow those instructions to the letter... Xanax is a short acting benzodiazepine - same family as valium which I am certain you have heard of - a la Valley of the Dolls. As with all the benzos - there is a wide range of response - regardless of your weight. Typical 1/2 life of xanax is about 4 hours - so taking the first 3 hours before will have a reasonable portion excreted - the second would be fully on board and the 3rd would be coming on board as the first dose is wearing off - theoretically. Depending on your MRI procedure - a lumbar spine without contrast for instance is generally pretty quick - maybe about 15 minutes and you are done. Other procedures can take about 20 minutes and if you need contrast and additional time frame. You should not drive with xanax - it would possibly get you a DUI - even though not alcohol, it will likely impair your ability to drive -also that 3rd xanax will be in your system about 4 or more hours - so you ABSOLUTELY need someone to drive you home!!!! And, if you are going to take xanax 3 hours before - you ABSOLUTELY need a driver to take you. - also, is the MRI going to be on time? What if you start taking the meds, and then you get to wait an hour due to something that got delayed - now you are sort of hosed. I would plan on getting there 60 - 90 minutes early - check in and ensure they are on time - take the 1st xanax and try and go to a quiet darkened area. See how you are feeling in 30 - 60 minutes and depending on how drowsy you are - take the second tab and you should be pretty good. Are the tabs 0.25 or 0.5 mg? I will assume 0.5 mg. If you drink alcohol with regularity, the effects will not be as high. There are actually a number of factors that affect the dose of xanax including race (asian being the important discriminator), other medications that are used, tobacco use all being important. I am happy to help - PM me if you would like
