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Alprazolam
Benzodiazepine medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax and others, is a fast-acting, potent tranquilizer of moderate duration within the triazolobenzodiazepine group of chemicals called benzodiazepines.[15] Alprazolam is most commonly prescribed in the management of anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).[9] Other uses include the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea, together with other treatments.[14] GAD improvement occurs generally within a week.[16][17] Alprazolam is generally taken orally (by mouth).[14]
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Pronunciation | /ælˈpræzəlæm/ or /ælˈpreɪzəlæm/ |
Trade names | Xanax, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a684001 |
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Dependence liability | Very High[3] |
Addiction liability | High[3] |
Routes of administration | Oral |
Drug class | Benzodiazepine |
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Bioavailability | 80–90% |
Protein binding | 80% |
Metabolism | Liver, via cytochrome P450 3A4 |
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Onset of action | 30~60 minutes[13] |
Elimination half-life | Full release: 11~13 hours[14] Extended release: 11~16 hours[14] |
Duration of action | Full release: 6 hours[13] Extended release: 11.3 hours |
Excretion | Kidney |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.044.849 ![]() |
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Formula | C17H13ClN4 |
Molar mass | 308.77 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects include sleepiness, depression or suppressed emotions, mild to severe decreases in motor skills, hiccups, dulling or declining of cognition as well as alertness or general awareness of one's surroundings or even behavior, dry mouth (mildly), decreased heart rate, suppression (physiological inhibition) of general central nervous system activity (opposite of physiological excitation), impairment of judgment (usually in higher than therapeutic doses), marginal to severe decreases in memory formation, decreased ability to process new information, as well as partial to complete amnesia (anterograde amnesia[18]) depending on dosage.[14] Some of the sedation and tiredness may improve within a few days.[19]
Alprazolam withdrawal may occur if use is suddenly decreased.[14][16]
Alprazolam was invented by Jackson Hester Jr. at the Upjohn Company[20] and patented in 1971 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1981.[14][21] Alprazolam is a Schedule IV controlled substance and is a common drug of abuse.[3][22] It is available as a generic medication.[9] In 2021, it was the 42nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 15 million prescriptions.[23]