Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine sold in the U.S. under 4 brand and generic names. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
From the FDA label for Niravam (application NDA021726). Other alprazolam products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder : ( 2.1 ) Recommended starting oral dosage is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg three times daily. Dosage may be increased, at intervals of every 3 to 4 days, to a maximum recommended daily dose of 4 mg, given in divided doses. Use the lowest possible effective dose and frequently assess the need for continued treatment. Panic Disorder : Recommended starting oral dosage is 0.5 mg three times daily. The dosage may be increased at intervals of every 3 to 4 days in increments of no more than 1 mg per day. ( 2.2 ) When tapering, decrease dosage by no more than 0.5 mg every 3 days. Some patients may require an even slower dosage reduction. ( 2.3 , 5.2 ) See the Full Prescribing Information for the recommended dosage in geriatric patients, patients with hepatic impairment, and with use with ritonavir. ( 2.4 , 2.5 , 2.6 ) 2.1 Dosage in Generalized Anxiety Disorder The recommended starting oral dosage of alprazolam tablets for the acute treatment of patients with GAD is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg administered three times daily. Depending upon the response, the dosage may be adjusted at intervals of every 3 to 4 days. The maximum recommended dosage is 4 mg daily (in divided doses). Use the lowest possible effective dose and frequently assess the need for continued treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 2.2 Dosage in Panic Disorder The recommended starting oral dosage of…
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Effects on Driving and Operating Machinery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Patients with Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Neonatal Sedation and Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Risks in Patients with Impaired Respiratory Function [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] The most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder (incidence > 5% and at least twice that of placebo) include: impaired coordination, hypotension, dysarthria, and increased libido. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data in the two tables below are estimates of adverse reaction incidence…
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Typical price | |
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| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $1 | View → | |
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Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XANAX;0;25 | 0.25 mg | white | oval | — |
| X;2 | 2 mg | blue | round | — |
| X;3 | 3 mg | green | triangle | — |
| 2;1;Y | 2 mg | white | oval | — |
| XANAX;0;5 | 0.5 mg | orange | oval | — |
| XANAX;1;0 | 1 mg | blue |
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
The elimination half-life of alprazolam is about 11 hours (mean 11.2 hours; range roughly 6 to 27 hours) in healthy adults. The elimination half-life runs longer in older adults (mean about 16 hours) and in people with liver disease or obesity (means around 20 to 22 hours), so it varies widely by population; alprazolam's minor active metabolites are present at very low levels (under 4% of the parent) with lower potency and do not meaningfully extend its effect.
ALPRAZOLAM tablet — DailyMed (NIH) ↗Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Alprazolam tablets are contraindicated in patients: with known hypersensitivity to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines. Angioedema has been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . taking strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), except ritonavir [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) , Warnings and Precautions (5.5) , Drug Interactions (7.1) ] Known hypersensitivity to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines. ( 4 ) Concomitant use with strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors, except ritonavir. ( 4 , 5.5 , 7.1 )
Use with Opioids: Increase the risk of respiratory depression. ( 7.1 ) Use with Other CNS Depressants: Produces additive CNS depressant effects. ( 7.1 ) Use with Digoxin: Increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. ( 7.1 ) Use with CYP3A Inhibitors (except ritonavir): Increase the risk of adverse reactions of alprazolam. ( 4 , 5.5 , 7.1 ) Use with CYP3A Inducers: Increase the risk of reduced efficacy of alprazolam. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with Alprazolam Table 4 includes clinically significant drug interactions with alprazolam [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Table 4: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Alprazolam Opioids Clinical implication The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA A ) sites and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. When benzodiazepines and opioids are combined, the potential for benzodiazepines to significantly worsen opioid-related respiratory depression exists. Prevention or management Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of alprazolam and opioids, and monitor patients closely for respiratory depression and sedation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Examples Morphine, buprenorphine, hydromorphone,…
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| Prescription |
| Solution |
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| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $1 | View → |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $1 | View → |
| oval |
| — |
| XANAX;2 | 2 mg | white | oval | — |
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| XANAX;0;25 | 0.25 mg | white | oval | — |
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| XANAX;0;5 | 0.5 mg | orange | oval | — |
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| XANAX;1;0 | 1 mg | blue | oval | — |
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| XANAX;2 | 2 mg | white | oval | — |
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| GG258 | 1 mg | blue | oval | — |
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