If you’re looking at treatment options for anxiety, you may want to learn more about alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR).

Alprazolam is a generic prescription drug that’s used short term to treat:

Alprazolam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. They work for anxiety by increasing levels of a certain chemical in your brain called gamma aminobutyric acid.

Alprazolam comes in three forms, all of which are taken by mouth:

  • tablets
  • orally disintegrating tablets, which dissolve in your mouth
  • extended-release (ER) tablets, which release their contents into your body over time

Keep reading for information on alprazolam and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on alprazolam, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for alprazolam can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. Your cost can also vary based on the form of alprazolam you take (regular tablet, extended-release tablet, and so on).

To find out how much you’ll pay for alprazolam, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Below are answers to some common questions about alprazolam and cost.

How much does alprazolam cost without insurance?

Your cost for alprazolam can depend on the form you’re taking. For example, the cost for orally disintegrating tablets may be different than the cost for extended-release tablets. The cost can also vary based on the dosage and strength of the drug, and the pharmacy you choose.

To learn more about the cost of your alprazolam prescription, ask your pharmacist.

For resources to help with the cost of your prescription, see the “Can I get help paying for alprazolam?” section below.

Does alprazolam’s cost vary depending on the strength I take (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg)?

Maybe. Your cost for alprazolam may differ based on the strength in milligrams (mg) that you’re prescribed and how often you take it. But it depends on how you pay for your prescription.

If you have insurance, your cost may be the same for certain generic drugs regardless of the strength. But this depends on your insurance plan. Ask your insurance provider for specific cost information about your prescription.

If you don’t have insurance, your cost may be more for higher strengths of alprazolam or certain dosage forms.

To learn more about the different costs of alprazolam, ask your pharmacist. They can provide an estimate of your cost for the form of the drug you’ve been prescribed.

How do the costs for alprazolam and alprazolam extended release (ER) compare?

The cost of alprazolam and alprazolam ER can depend on:

  • if you have insurance
  • the strength of alprazolam you’re prescribed
  • how often you take the drug

Keep in mind that alprazolam ER is an extended-release form of the drug. This means the active ingredient of the drug is released slowly into your body over time. Alprazolam ER tablets are usually taken less often than regular alprazolam tablets. The form of alprazolam you take may affect your overall cost.

Your pharmacist can provide more information on any cost differences between alprazolam and alprazolam ER tablets.

Generic alprazolam is also available as the brand-name medications Xanax and Xanax XR. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.

To find out how the costs of Xanax, Xanax XR, and alprazolam compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed alprazolam and you’re interested in taking Xanax or Xanax XR instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend one version over the others for you. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider since they may not cover every version of this drug.

If you need help covering the cost of alprazolam or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how you can pay for alprazolam, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of alprazolam, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for alprazolam.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider include:

  • Will my dosage of alprazolam affect the cost?
  • Are there other lower-cost drugs to treat my condition?
  • Does one form of alprazolam cost less than another?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

If you take alprazolam for generalized anxiety disorder, consider signing up for Healthline’s anxiety newsletter for personal stories and helpful tips.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.