Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). It is thought that alprazolam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
Xanax is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety disorders and anxiety caused by depression.
Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).
Usage
Xanax may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Xanax is usually taken for no longer than 4 months to treat anxiety disorder, and for no longer than 10 weeks to treat panic disorder.
Because of the danger of withdrawal, abrupt discontinuation of treatment should be avoided.
Side effects
Xanax may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death.
Being forgetful
Changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action
CNS agents of the 1,4 benzodiazepine class presumably exert their effects by binding at stereo specific receptors at several sites within the central nervous system. Their exact mechanism of action is unknown. Clinically, all benzodiazepines cause a dose-related central nervous system depressant activity varying from mild impairment of task performance to hypnosis.
Half-Life Elimination