Can Xanax Or Klonopin Be Taken For Panic Attack?

Posted on Sat, 17 Oct 2015

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

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 Answered on

Mon, 9 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I was in a room spray painting an appliance. You could see the overspray throughly the room. I'm sure I was breathing in some fumes. I suffer from panic attacks. After I was finished I thought I was dying. My breathing was slow couldn't catch my breath, my heart was racing and my fingers were numb and tingly as well as my lip and face. I'm walking and talking fine but feel out of it. I was able to shower afterwards. It's been about an hour my breathing still feels shallow. I'm I just having a panic attack. And if so can I take 1 milligram of doctor prescribed Xanax. I'm really scared. Keep thinking I'm dying.
Or maybe 1 mg of klonopin

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Panic attack, can take either xanax or klonopin.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

Paint fumes can trigger a panic attack.
The symptoms what you have described suggest that you are having a panic attack.

You can take either of xanax or klonopin (whichever is available with you).

This should help you immediately.

Drink a glass of cold water. Try to take slow and deep breaths.

You should be fine soon.

All the best.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (48 hours later)

Do you think I'm fine? I keep worrying that I did damage to my system by breathing in those paint fumes. Would I be dead all ready if it was to much. Or can it be a long term damage that I did?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are fine; it was just a panic attack

Detailed Answer:
Yes you are fine.

If you would have inhaled toxic amounts of fumes, you would have got some severe respiratory or neurological symptoms.

I think you just had a panic attack.

There would be no long-term damage. The body tends to excrete toxic materials by itself. Do not worry.

I wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar