alprazolam at a glance
Medicine class
Benzodiazepine anxiolytic
Licensed use
Severe anxiety symptoms in adults
Key safety issue
Can cause sedation, dependence, addiction and withdrawal
Driving
Do not drive until you know how it affects you; never drive if impaired
What is alprazolam used for?
The selected UK product has one licensed indication:
Short-term symptomatic treatment of anxiety in adults when symptoms are severe, disabling or causing extreme distress.
How does alprazolam work?
Alprazolam strengthens the calming inhibitory effect of GABA in the central nervous system. It can reduce anxiety but may also cause sedation, impaired coordination and memory effects.
alprazolam preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 250 micrograms, 500 micrograms
How to take alprazolam
Take the tablets by mouth exactly as directed on the dispensing label. Do not take extra tablets, share them or combine them with alcohol. Agree a stopping plan with the prescriber and do not stop suddenly.
Check with a pharmacist or prescriber if the label is unclear.
Do not drive or operate machinery if sleepy, dizzy or unable to concentrate.
Keep tablets secure and return unwanted tablets to a pharmacy.
alprazolam side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness, sedation or fatigue
- Dizziness, poor balance or uncoordinated movement
- Memory, attention or speech difficulties
- Headache
- Dry mouth or constipation
- Blurred vision or nausea
- Mood changes, including depression or irritability
Get urgent medical advice
- Call 999 for severe breathing difficulty, collapse, unresponsiveness or facial or throat swelling.
- Seek prompt medical assessment for hallucinations, marked agitation, aggression or other major behavioural changes.
- Seek prompt medical assessment for jaundice or significant memory loss.
- A seizure during sudden withdrawal is an emergency.
alprazolam in pregnancy
Alprazolam should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless the woman's clinical condition requires it after an individual risk–benefit assessment. Exposure late in pregnancy may cause newborn sedation, poor feeding, breathing problems or withdrawal. Contact the prescriber promptly if pregnant or planning pregnancy, but do not stop alprazolam suddenly.
alprazolam while breastfeeding
The product information does not recommend alprazolam while breastfeeding because it enters breast milk. If benzodiazepine treatment is needed, specialist review is appropriate. The infant may require monitoring for unusual sleepiness, slow breathing, poor feeding and inadequate weight gain.
alprazolam interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, non-prescribed and online medicines. Important interactions include:
Opioids
Additive sedation and respiratory depression can lead to coma or death.
Alcohol
Increases sedation, impaired coordination and breathing risk and should be avoided.
Other CNS depressants
Sleeping tablets, sedating antihistamines, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, anaesthetics and some antidepressants can increase drowsiness and impairment.
Azole antifungals
Ketoconazole, itraconazole and similar medicines can markedly increase alprazolam exposure; co-administration is not recommended.
Common questions about alprazolam
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is alprazolam used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for short-term symptomatic treatment of severe, disabling or extremely distressing anxiety in adults.
Can alprazolam cause addiction or dependence?
Yes. Dependence and addiction can occur with prescribed use.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.