Can Xanax Be Taken For A Panic Attack Eight Hours After Taking Oxycontin For Excruciating Pain Due To Bursitis In My Shoulder?

Posted on Wed, 9 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 May 2018 Answered on

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a bursitis in my shoulder. The pain for the last two days has been excruciating, so I had some 10mg oxycontin from a back surgery last year. I took one and a half of them (15mg) 8 hours ago. I woke up about about two hours ago and I am having a panic attack. I have experienced this before after surgery with a narcotic. I have used Xanax before in similar circumstance, and it has take the edge off the anxiety, but I want to make sure it is okay for me to take a 5 mg Xanax having taken that 15 mg of oxycontin 8 hours ago.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would advice against it.

Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
In my view , I would not advise you to take Xanax 5 mg to take care of panic attack due to OxyContin. This may further potentiate the narcotic effect of OxyContin.
I would suggest you take rest for some time as the effect of OxyContin may not last long and anyway it will decrease after few hours.
I hope to have been helpful. Please feel free to ask any other question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana