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Increase Your Awareness with Basic Facts about Xanax (Alprazolam)
Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ September 23, 2025
*Picture displayed is a general pill and should not be used as a pill identifier.
The following highlights the facts. More information can be obtained through the sites listed below as well as many other informational sites regarding prescription drugs. Medication facts can change. Make sure you have all up-to-date information.
Quick facts YOU Need to Know
Alprazolam, brand names:
- Xanax®
- Xanax® XR
Alprazolam (Xanax) is in a drug class called benzodiazepines.
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a controlled substance.
Street titles:
- Benzos
- Downers
Alprazolam (Xanax) FDA label indications:
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorders
Alprazolam Non-FDA-labeled Indications:
- Insomnia
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Depression
Possible side effects of Alprazolam (Xanax):
- drowsiness
- light-headedness
- headache
- tiredness
- dizziness
- irritability
- talkativeness
- difficulty concentrating
- dry mouth
- increased salivation
- changes in sex drive or ability
- nausea
- constipation
- changes in appetite
- weight changes
- difficulty urinating
- joint pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately:
- shortness of breath
- seizures
- severe skin rash
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- confusion
- problems with speech
- problems with coordination or balance
Alprazolam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Some cautions when taking Alprazolam (Xanax):
Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not chew, crush, or break them.
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
Important Warning
Alprazolam may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma if used along with certain medications. Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take certain opiate medications for cough such as codeine (in Triacin-C, in Tuzistra XR) or hydrocodone (in Anexsia, in Norco, in Zyfrel) or for pain such as codeine (in Fiorinal), fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys, others), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Astramorph, Duramorph PF, Kadian), oxycodone (in Oxycet, in Percocet, in Roxicet, others), and tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, in Ultracet). Your doctor may need to change the dosages of your medications and will monitor you carefully. If you take alprazolam with any of these medications and you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care immediately: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness. Be sure that your caregiver or family members know which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor or emergency medical care if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
Alprazolam may be habit forming.
Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have ever drank large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications. Do not drink alcohol or use street drugs during your treatment. Drinking alcohol or using street drugs during your treatment with alprazolam also increases the risk that you will experience these serious, life-threatening side effects. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness.
Alprazolam may cause a physical dependence (a condition in which unpleasant physical symptoms occur if a medication is suddenly stopped or taken in smaller doses), especially if you take it for several days to several weeks.
Do not stop taking this medication or take fewer doses without talking to your doctor. Stopping alprazolam suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms that may last for several weeks to more than 12 months. Your doctor probably will decrease your alprazolam dose gradually. Call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms: unusual movements; ringing in your ears; anxiety; memory problems; difficulty concentrating; sleep problems; seizures; shaking; muscle twitching; changes in mental health; depression; burning or prickling feeling in hands, arms, legs or feet; seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear; thoughts of harming or killing yourself or others; overexcitement; or losing touch with reality.
Asthma Warning:
Benzodiazepines and zopiclone may increase the likelihood of asthma exacerbation, and benzodiazepines may also increase the likelihood of mortality following exacerbation. Data suggest that caution should be exercised when prescribing benzodiazepines to patients with asthma.
Sources used:
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, Alprazolam, accessed September 15,
- American Addiction Centers, Xanax Addiction: How addictive is Xanax, accessed January 15, 2024
- National Library of Medicine, Alprazolam, George TT, Tripp J. Alprazolam. [Updated 2023 Apr 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538165/ accessed September 15, 2025.
- Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement, Benzodiazepines, Drug Fact Sheets, accessed September 15, 2025.
- Nakafero G, Sanders RD, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Myles PR. Association between benzodiazepine use and exacerbations and mortality in patients with asthma: a matched case-control and survival analysis using the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2015 Aug;24(8):793-802. doi: 10.1002/pds.3799. Epub 2015 May 27. PMID: 26013409, accessed September 15, 2025.
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