How long does Xanax stay in your system?

Xanax is a drug used to treat anxiety. It starts to take effect within an hour after taking the drug. Its effect can last up to five hours.

Even if its effects have worn off, traces of Xanax still remains in the bloodstream. The average half-life is 11 hours, but in people with liver disease, obese, and geriatric patients, the half-life is longer. The half-life can be as long as 40 hours.

Those who are taking Xanax on a regular basis have a high level of Xanax in the bloodstream and it could take a few weeks for them to completely eliminate it. (1, 2, and 3)

(Xanax, a white tablet used to treat anxiety. However, it is usually an abused drug and should be taken under the supervision of a medical professional.)

How long does Xanax stay in your blood system?

How soon Xanax leaves the body depends on various factors such as:

Height and weights
Age
Metabolism speed
Body fat content
The amount of Xanax taken
Condition of the liver and/or the kidneys
How long the patient has been taking Xanax (3, 4)

Window of detection

Urine - up to 4 days (low dose)/7 days (chronic users)

Blood test - A few hours after the last consumption

Hair test - A few months after the last ingestion

Saliva test - 2.5 days after last use

Drug Test

There are various tests used to detect the level of Xanax in the body. These are the urine test, blood test, saliva swab, and hair follicle analysis. (5)

How long does Xanax stay in your urine?

The length of time Xanax stays in the urine depends on how heavily abused the drug is. For occasional Xanax users, traces of Xanax will leave the urine in four days’ time. For heavy users, traces of Xanax can be detected for up to a week. (5, 6)

How long does Xanax stay in your blood?

Traces of Xanax can be detected for up to six days after the last use. It does not provide a long detection window. (6)

How long does Xanax stay in your saliva?

Traces of Xanax are still present in the saliva for up to three days after last use. (7)

How long does Xanax stay in your hair follicle?

It has the longest detection window. It can detect traces of Xanax up to 20 days after the last use. (7)

How to get Xanax out of your system?

Xanax should not be stopped abruptly to prevent cold turkey or unwanted side effects. It should be tapered down. It would help a lot if you are going to see a medical professional to help you in gradually tapering down the dose of Xanax.

The dose should be reduced to no more than 0.5 mg every three to four days. Tapering down the dose is important as it allows the body to slowly heal and rewires itself without Xanax. By tapering down the dose, the withdrawal symptoms will be decreased. If you are having a drug test and you want to be tested negative for Xanax, then have to try increasing your intake of fluid, especially water.

You should also get your metabolism going by performing intense exercise. Getting rid of Xanax within 24 hours is impossible. (1, 4, 7, and 8)