

Most evidence shows that the benefits of alprazolam in treating panic disorder last only four to ten weeks. Alprazolam is not recommended in Australia for the treatment of panic disorder because of concerns regarding tolerance, dependence, and abuse. Panic disorder Īlprazolam is effective in the relief of moderate to severe anxiety and panic attacks. The FDA label advises that the physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug. Alprazolam is indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults. Both Xanax (original Pfizer alprazolam product) and various generic forms of alprazolam are depicted here.Īlprazolam is mostly used in management of anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and nausea due to chemotherapy. Medical uses Alprazolam pills in boxes, as sold in France. In 2020, it was the 37th most-commonly-prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 16 million prescriptions. Alprazolam is a Schedule IV controlled substance and is a common drug of abuse. Īlprazolam was invented by Jackson Hester at the Upjohn Company and patented in 1971 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1981. Alprazolam, like other benzodiazepines, acts through the GABA A receptor, which is considered to be the main mechanism of action responsible for its primary effects and its physiologically inhibiting components on the body’s central nervous system. Cold turkey abstinence is therefore almost universally advised against for all benzodiazepines, with even tapering sometimes requiring attentive medical supervision and care. Alprazolam withdrawal may occur if use is suddenly decreased therefore, gradually decreasing the dosage over weeks or months may be required to mitigate the debilitating withdrawal symptoms or possible physical health complications of withdrawal. Some of the sedation and tiredness may improve within a few days. Ĭommon side effects include sleepiness, depression or suppressed emotions, mild to severe decreases in motor skills, hiccups, dulling or declining of cognition as well as alertness or general awareness of one’s surroundings or even behavior, dry mouth (mildly), decreased heart rate, suppression ( physiological inhibition) of general central nervous system activity (opposite of physiological excitation), impairment of judgment (usually in higher than therapeutic doses), marginal to severe decreases in memory formation, decreased ability to process new information, as well as partial to complete amnesia depending on dosage. GAD improvement occurs generally within a week. Other uses include the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea, together with other treatments. Alprazolam is most commonly used in management of anxiety disorders, specifically panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax, among others, is a fast-acting, potent tranquilizer of moderate duration within the triazolobenzodiazepine group of chemicals called benzodiazepines.
