What is Xanax?

Brand Name: Xanax
Generic Name: Alprazolam
Other Brand Names: Alp, Alpram, Alprox, Anpra, Anxnil, Axal, Azolam, Azolex, Hilaxin, Lapranx, Nervin, Neuxam, Noxalam, Onax, Praz, Rosam, Xanax, Zenith, Zolarem, and many many others

Xanax tablets contain alprazolam which is a triazolo analog of the 1, 4 benzodiazepine class of central nervous system-active compounds.

The chemical name of alprazolam is 8-Chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-s-triazolo [4,3-a][1,4] benzodiazepine.

Alprazolam is a white crystalline powder, which is soluble in methanol or ethanol but which has no appreciable solubility in water at physiological pH.

What is it used for - Indications ?

Xanax is an anti anxiety agent. Xanax belong to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Xanax is used for the management of anxiety disorders or the short-term symptomatic relief of symptoms of excessive anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

Xanax is indicated for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and is also indicated for the management of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

Xanax is also effective in the treatment of activity depression or panic attacks. It can be useful in treating irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety due to a neurosis as well.

How it works

Xanax affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.

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.

Following oral administration, Xanax is readily absorbed. Peak concentrations in the plasma occur in 1-2 hours following administration. Plasma levels are proportionate to the dose given; over the dose range of 0.5 to 3.0 mg, peak levels of 8.0 to 37 ng/ml were observed. Using a specific assay methodology, the mean plasma elimination half-life of Xanax has been found to be about 11.2 hours (range: 6.3-26.9 hours) in healthy adults.