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Xanax (alprazolam)
Short-acting, high-potency benzodiazepine that enhances GABA-A receptor activity, providing rapid anxiolytic relief.
Alprazolam (Xanax) is the most prescribed benzodiazepine, developed by Upjohn and approved in 1981. Effective for panic disorder but carries significant dependence and withdrawal risks. Schedule IV controlled substance. Available generically.
At a glance
| Generic name | alprazolam |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Xanax, Xanax XR |
| Sponsor | Generic (originally Upjohn/Pfizer) |
| Drug class | Benzodiazepine (triazolobenzodiazepine) |
| Target | Bromodomain-containing protein 4, Platelet-activating factor receptor, Cytochrome P450 3A4 |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neuroscience |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1981-10-16 (United States) |
Mechanism of action
Alprazolam is the most prescribed benzodiazepine and one of the most prescribed psychiatric medications overall. Its rapid onset provides fast anxiety relief but its short half-life (6-12 hours) and high potency create significant dependence potential. Discontinuation requires slow tapering to avoid seizures. Schedule IV controlled substance with high abuse potential.
Approved indications
- Anxiety
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder
- Panic disorder
Common side effects
- Impaired coordination
- Hypotension
- Dysarthria
- Increased libido
- Sedation
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination
- Fatigue
- Concentration difficulties
- Irritability
- Dystonia
- Transient amnesia or memory impairment
Serious adverse events
- Seizures
- Withdrawal seizures
- Hallucinations
- Depersonalization
- Jaundice
- Hepatic failure
- Hepatitis
- Mania
- Hypomania
- Aggressive or hostile behavior
Key clinical trials
- Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise Added to Alprazolam in Panic Disorder Treatment: a Clinical Randomized Trial (Phase 4)
- Safety and Efficacy of De-Novo Algorithm and Formula in the Treatment of Patients With Intractable Chronic Craniofacial Neuralgia, or Chronic Migraine Headaches. (Phase 1)
- A Randomized, Double Blind, Active and Placebo Controlled, 5 Way Crossover Study to Determine the Abuse Potential of Orally Administered Gabapentin Enacarbil Immediate Release Capsules in Healthy, Non (Phase 4)
- A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- And Active-Controlled Single-Dose, Crossover Study To Evaluate The Abuse Potential Of Single Doses Of Dimebon (Latrepirdine) In Healthy Recreational Polydrug Users (Phase 1)
- A Phase IV, Open Label, Randomized, Two-way Crossover, Single Dose Study to Determine Relative Bioavailability of Alprazolam 0,75mg/ml (laboratórios Pfizer Ltda) in the Oral Solution-drops Form, Versu (Phase 4)
- Open-Label, Randomized, Single-Dose, 2-Way Crossover Pivotal Bioequivalence Study Comparing Alprazolam Immediate Release (IR) Tablets (Administered Orally) And Alprazolam Sublingual (SL) Tablets (Admi (Phase 1)
- A Relative Bioavailability Study of 2 mg Alprazolam Oral Disintegrating Tablets Under Fasting Conditions (Phase 1)
- Licorice Botanical Dietary Supplements - Metabolism and Safety in Women (Phase 1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Xanax CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Xanax updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Generic (originally Upjohn/Pfizer) portfolio CI