Alprazolam 0.4 mg tablets from Japan. Appearance varies by manufacturer and market.
HmanJp · Public domain
About Alprazolam
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine sold in products including Xanax and extended-release Xanax XR.
Also searched as: Xanax · Xanax XR
Available strengths
Strength is the amount in a tablet, capsule, liquid or patch. Different formulations are listed separately.
| Product & formulation | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Xanax / alprazolam Immediate-release oral tablet | 0.25 mg · 0.5 mg · 1 mg · 2 mgProduct label · Checked 2026-10-31 |
Dosages in the product label
Xanax immediate release — Generalized anxiety disorder
Population: Adults
Initial: 0.25–0.5 mg three times daily. Maximum recommended: 4 mg/day in divided doses.
Older adults and people with hepatic impairment use lower starting doses. Panic-disorder and XR instructions differ.
Prescribing information · Checked 2026-10-31
Buy Alprazolam: pricing & legal access
Alprazolam online: availability & product information
Saved U.S. price estimates from Drugs.com for the exact products and quantities below. These are dated estimates, not live pharmacy quotes or insurance copays. Discounts and local availability vary.
| Product / strength | Quantity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Generic alprazolam 0.5 mg Immediate-release oral tablet | 30 tablets | $8.45 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
| Generic alprazolam 2 mg Immediate-release oral tablet | 30 tablets | $10.83 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
| Generic alprazolam 0.5 mg Extended-release oral tablet | 60 tablets | $23.01 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
Prices refer to medication only; consultation, administration and monitoring costs may be additional. Prescription products require a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy. Check the exact formulation before comparing offers.
Alprazolam information
Uses and formulations
Used for anxiety and panic disorders. Immediate-release and extended-release tablets have different directions.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Alprazolam
Side effects and serious risks
Drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination can occur. Dependence and potentially severe withdrawal can develop.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Alprazolam
Dosage and directions
Use the prescribed dose and duration. Do not stop abruptly; a clinician may need to reduce treatment gradually.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Alprazolam
Interactions and precautions
Combining alprazolam with opioids or alcohol can cause life-threatening sedation and breathing problems. Review all sleep and anxiety medicines.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Alprazolam
U.S. federal classification
Listed federally in Schedule IV. Classification does not by itself establish that a particular product is approved or that an online transaction is lawful. State requirements and product-specific rules also apply.
Sources: DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
Pharmacology and mechanism
Alprazolam enhances inhibitory GABA signaling through benzodiazepine-sensitive GABA-A receptors. Sedation and impaired coordination can accompany its anti-anxiety effects.
Formulations and product identification
The active ingredient alone does not describe a finished product. These distinctions matter when reading a label or comparing prescriptions.
| Product or formulation | Important distinction |
|---|---|
| Immediate-release alprazolam | Different release characteristics from XR. |
| Extended-release alprazolam | Requires formulation-specific administration. |
Monitoring and treatment follow-up
Follow-up considers anxiety or panic symptoms, sedation, memory and coordination. Alprazolam is affected by CYP3A interactions, so adding or stopping another medicine can change exposure.
Dependence and stopping treatment
Physical dependence can develop with regular use. Abrupt cessation or rapid reduction can cause serious withdrawal, including seizures. Withdrawal symptoms can resemble returning anxiety but may require a different clinical response.
How it differs from related medicines
Xanax is a brand, while alprazolam is the active ingredient. An extended-release tablet is not simply another shape of the immediate-release product. A pill’s appearance or a seller’s Xanax label cannot verify authenticity.
Sources and editorial notes
Prepared by DrugRX using the references linked below. Sources were consulted on 2026-10-31. This page has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Research findings, medication approval and legal permission are separate questions.
- MedlinePlus — Alprazolam
- DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
- DailyMed — Xanax prescribing information
- Drugs.com — alprazolam price guide
Legal information is a dated U.S. reference. Product rules and local laws may change. Where the evidence does not establish a dose, interaction profile or price, the page states that limitation.