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Does Intake Of Xanax Cause Crohn's Disease?
Question: I have a 73-year-old friend who has had Crohn's and psoriatic arthritis for a few years. Recently, both have become out of control. She is running to the bathroom 9 times per night and can't go anywhere during the day for the same reason. She has been on Xanax for years for anxiety. Could the Xanax be a cause of the Crohn's and psoriatic arthritis? I realize that the stats don't strongly support this conclusion; however, I am trying to help her and this seems strongly suspect. Also, might medical marijuana help her, since at least one study shows that it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the bowels - and would be a much safer option for her anxiety than Xanax? She also has Sjogren's disease, developing this after cataract surgery. Her eyes are constantly unbearably painful, and no Rx drops have helped whatsoever. She is ready to give up on life. :-(
When she must go out, she takes 2x the normal dose of Immodium, which lasts a maximum of 4 hours. She has also tried Cellulose and L-Glutamine. The L-Glutamine initially helped but then stopped being effective. For her Sjogren's, she has tried every medication from the doctor possible, with absolutely no relief. The psoriasis cleared with fish, primrose, and borage oil, but she is afraid to take anything now, so within 24 hours, she now has 1/2 inch of growth behind her ears already.
When she must go out, she takes 2x the normal dose of Immodium, which lasts a maximum of 4 hours. She has also tried Cellulose and L-Glutamine. The L-Glutamine initially helped but then stopped being effective. For her Sjogren's, she has tried every medication from the doctor possible, with absolutely no relief. The psoriasis cleared with fish, primrose, and borage oil, but she is afraid to take anything now, so within 24 hours, she now has 1/2 inch of growth behind her ears already.
Brief Answer:
Xanax is not the culprit
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through the description you have provided. Your friend has some major issues which need to be handled.
About Xanax- it is not the cause for Crohn's or the arthritis . There is no evidence linking the two so I would not consider this possibility at all.
Regarding Marijuana there are several studies on Marijuana and Crohn's Disease. The most recent was published in 2014 . It found a benefit in symptoms but had higher incidence of side effects and need for surgery. So I would not consider it as a replacement for xanax.
I would suggest you discuss other possibilities like azathioprine or biological agents with her doctor.
Sjogrens is difficult to treat and medications are unlikely to offer much relief
She also seems to have depression secondary to her multiple illness and a psychiatry consultant and anti depressant might help
Hope this helps
Do get back in case you have further queries
Regards
Dr Samir Patil
Xanax is not the culprit
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through the description you have provided. Your friend has some major issues which need to be handled.
About Xanax- it is not the cause for Crohn's or the arthritis . There is no evidence linking the two so I would not consider this possibility at all.
Regarding Marijuana there are several studies on Marijuana and Crohn's Disease. The most recent was published in 2014 . It found a benefit in symptoms but had higher incidence of side effects and need for surgery. So I would not consider it as a replacement for xanax.
I would suggest you discuss other possibilities like azathioprine or biological agents with her doctor.
Sjogrens is difficult to treat and medications are unlikely to offer much relief
She also seems to have depression secondary to her multiple illness and a psychiatry consultant and anti depressant might help
Hope this helps
Do get back in case you have further queries
Regards
Dr Samir Patil
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Regarding the Xanax, according to the WebMD information, there were over 1500 patients who were taking Xanax and developed Crohn's. This seems to be a very high incidence to me: On what basis do you state that there would be absolutely no possibility of a link?
Please clarify your statement that MJ had a "benefit in symptoms but had higher incidence of side effects and need for surgery"? Also, please describe the biological agents that you would recommend she discuss with her doctor.
I will be going to bed now, since it is almost 1 a.m. I will check for your response in the morning. Thank you for your help.
Please clarify your statement that MJ had a "benefit in symptoms but had higher incidence of side effects and need for surgery"? Also, please describe the biological agents that you would recommend she discuss with her doctor.
I will be going to bed now, since it is almost 1 a.m. I will check for your response in the morning. Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
remicade
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There is no published literature linking crohns disease and xanax. Some websites mention that 55000 people had side effects of xanax an of them 187 had crohns disease. And some sites speculate this but there is no good quality material and data.Hence I would say there is no data to show a cause and effect relationship. And the proposed link is pure speculation.
A recent (and the largest till date)study published in 2014 showed that people had improved symptoms with use of marijuana , but the need for surgery was high in those people on follow up.
There was increased side effects like anxiety, confusional state, increased heart rate an blood pressure in people who used marijuana.
You should discuss the possibility of using biologicals like remicade, humira or cimzia to treat crohns.or adding azathioprine to prednisone.
Hope this helps
Do get back in case you need further clarifications
Regards
Dr Samir Patil
remicade
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There is no published literature linking crohns disease and xanax. Some websites mention that 55000 people had side effects of xanax an of them 187 had crohns disease. And some sites speculate this but there is no good quality material and data.Hence I would say there is no data to show a cause and effect relationship. And the proposed link is pure speculation.
A recent (and the largest till date)study published in 2014 showed that people had improved symptoms with use of marijuana , but the need for surgery was high in those people on follow up.
There was increased side effects like anxiety, confusional state, increased heart rate an blood pressure in people who used marijuana.
You should discuss the possibility of using biologicals like remicade, humira or cimzia to treat crohns.or adding azathioprine to prednisone.
Hope this helps
Do get back in case you need further clarifications
Regards
Dr Samir Patil
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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