Xanax

Alprazolam
Clinical data


Pronunciation	Alprazolam /ælˈpræzəlæm/ or /ælˈpreɪzəlæm/, Xanax /ˈzænæks/
Trade names	Xanax, Niravam
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a684001
Pregnancy category	US: D (Evidence of risk)
Dependence liability	Physical: Moderate Psychological: High
ATC code	N05BA12 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S8 (Controlled) CA: Schedule IV DE: Anlage III (Prescription only) UK: Class C US: Schedule IV UN: Psychotropic Schedule IV In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	80–90%
Metabolism	Hepatic, via
Biological half-life	Immediate release: 11.2 hours, Extended release: 10.7–15.8 hours
Excretion	Renal
Identifiers
IUPAC name 8-Chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a] [1,4]benzodiazepine
CAS Number	28981-97-7^Y
PubChem CID	2118
IUPHAR/BPS	7111
DrugBank	DB00404^Y
ChemSpider	2034^Y
UNII	YU55MQ3IZY
KEGG	D00225^Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:2611^Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL661^Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.044.849
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C₁₇H₁₃ClN₄
Molar mass	308.77 g·mol⁻¹
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES ClC1=CC2=C(C=C1)N3C(C)=NN=C3CN=C2C4=CC=CC=C4
InChI InChI=1S/C17H13ClN4/c1-11-20-21-16-10-19-17(12-5-3-2-4-6-12)14-9-13(18)7-8-15(14)22(11)16/h2-9H,10H2,1H3^Y Key:VREFGVBLTWBCJP-UHFFFAOYSA-N^Y

Alprazolam, available under the trade name Xanax, is a potent, short-acting anxiolytic of the benzodiazepine class. It is commonly used for the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially of panic disorder, but also in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder. It was the 12th most prescribed medicine in the United States in 2010. Alprazolam, like other benzodiazepines, binds to specific sites on the GABA_A receptor. It possesses anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, amnestic, and antidepressant properties. Alprazolam is available for oral administration in compressed tablet (CT) and extended-release capsule (XR) formulations.

Peak benefits achieved for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may take up to a week.Tolerance to the anxiolytic/antipanic effects is controversial with some authoritative sources reporting the development of tolerance, and others reporting no development of tolerance; tolerance will, however, develop to the sedative-hypnotic effects within a couple of days.Withdrawal symptoms or rebound symptoms may occur after ceasing treatment abruptly following a few weeks or longer of steady dosing, and may necessitate a gradual dose reduction.

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