• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is alprazolam?
Alprazolam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. Alprazolam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of alprazolam?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;

• depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

• hyperactivity, agitation, hostility, hallucinations;

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• seizure (convulsions);

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• muscle twitching, tremor; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• drowsiness, dizziness, feeling irritable;

• amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination, slurred speech;

• blurred vision;

• nausea, vomiting, constipation, appetite or weight changes;

• dry or watery mouth, increased sweating; or

• loss of interest in sex.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take alprazolam?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Alprazolam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Alprazolam should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

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What is the most important information I should know about alprazolam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to alprazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax). This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use alprazolam if you are pregnant. Before taking alprazolam, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect alprazolam?
Before taking alprazolam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: birth control pills; cimetidine (Tagamet); diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem); isoniazid (Nydrazid, Rifamate); propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); seizure medication; antibiotics such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or antidepressants such as fluvoxamine (Luvox), desipramine (Norpramin), or imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use alprazolam, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Alprazolam has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. An increased risk of congenital malformations in humans has been suggested with use of other benzodiazepines, although small studies have not implicated alprazolam. Withdrawal symptoms have been described in neonates whose mothers took alprazolam during pregnancy. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Alprazolam use is considered contraindicated during pregnancy.

Physicians are encouraged to register patients before fetal outcome is known (e.g., ultrasound, results of amniocentesis, etc) into the Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry at 1-888-233-2334 or 1-888-AED-AED4. This is an ongoing study at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. This study is designed to monitor the outcomes of pregnant women exposed to antiepileptic drugs in order to determine which therapies are associated with increased risk.

Alprazolam is probably excreted into human milk in small amounts. Withdrawal symptoms have been described in nursing infants whose mothers have withdrawn from alprazolam. The manufacturer recommends that, as a general rule, nursing should not be undertaken by mothers who must use alprazolam.

Chronic administration of another benzodiazepine, diazepam, to nursing mothers has been reported to cause their infants to become lethargic and lose weight.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines.
• Concurrent ketoconazole, itraconazole, or delavirdine therapy. (See Specific Drugs and Foods under Interactions.)
• Manufacturers state that alprazolam is contraindicated in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma but may be administered to patients with open-angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy; however, clinical rationale for this contraindication has been questioned.

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What does my medication look like?
Alprazolam is available with a prescription under the brand names Xanax and Niravam. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of alprazolam can be fatal. Symptoms of an alprazolam overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking alprazolam?
It is dangerous to try and purchase alprazolam on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of alprazolam purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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