XANAX (alprazolam)
XANAX is indicated for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Panic Disorder; Agoraphobia.
How XANAX Works
Alprazolam is a 1,4 benzodiazepine that exerts its therapeutic effects by targeting specific receptors within the brain. The drug binds to the benzodiazepine site of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA_A) receptors. This binding action enhances GABA-mediated synaptic inhibition, which produces the drug's clinical effects in treating anxiety and panic disorders.
Development Insights
Details
- Status
- Prescription
- First Approved
- 1981-10-16
- Routes
- ORAL
- Dosage Forms
- TABLET
XANAX Approval History
What XANAX Treats
3 indicationsXANAX is approved for 3 conditions since its original approval in 1981. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
XANAX Boxed Warning
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS • Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation [see Warnings and Pr...
WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS • Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . • The use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes. Before prescribing XANAX and throughout treatment, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . • The continued use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of XANAX after continued use may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening. To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue XANAX or reduce the dosage [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are ina
XANAX Competitive Set
ProThree rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.
Direct competitors
Same target(s) AND same indication — head-to-head.
MoA expansion candidates
Same target(s), different indications — where else is this mechanism being explored?
Indication competitors
Same indication, different mechanism — what else might this patient receive?
Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.
Drugs Similar to XANAX
3 of 12FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.
Clinical Trial Registry
24 trials| Trial | Sponsor ID | Phase | Status | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07154147 CatNAPS-2 | 25-43837 | Ph 4 | completed | Oral vs IV Sedation for Cataract Surgery in Older Adults |
| NCT05006079 MAP | IRB-21-07-3844 | Ph 2 | recruiting | Opioid/Benzodiazepine Polydrug Abuse: Aim 3 |
| NCT06757140 | 97946 R01DA016718 | Ph 1, Ph 2 | recruiting | Opioid Drug Interaction Study |
| NCT05602818 results posted | TAK-935-1012 | Ph 1 | completed | A Study of Soticlestat in Healthy Adult Nondependent Recreational Drug Users With Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant Experience |
| NCT03509285 | YKP3089C024 | Ph 1 | completed | A Study of the Abuse Liability Potential of Cenobamate in Recreational Drug Users |
| NCT06357104 | SCI-CT-0001 | Ph 4 | completed | Detoxification From the Lipid Tract |
| NCT04802746 | UP0099 | Ph 1 | completed | A Study to Assess the Pulmonary Safety of Staccato Alprazolam in Healthy Study Participants and in Study Participants With Mild Asthma |
| NCT03635437 | Regenerate-1 (G/P2/18/1) | Ph 1, Ph 2 | completed | Evaluation of Safety and Diabetes Status Upon Oral Treatment With GABA in Patients With Longstanding Type-1 Diabetes |
| NCT04857307 | UP0100 | Ph 1 | completed | A Study to Assess the Pharmacokinetics (PK) and Safety of Staccato Alprazolam in Adolescent Study Participants With Epilepsy |
| NCT00803400 AEIPDT results posted | UDHFMEDUBA0709 | Ph 4 | completed | Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise Added to Alprazolam in Panic Disorder Treatment |
| NCT04782388 | UP0101 | Ph 1 | completed | Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, And Pharmacokinetics of Staccato Alprazolam in Healthy Japanese, Chinese, and Caucasian Participants |
| NCT00810316 | A6131015 | Ph 1 | completed | Evaluate Pharmacokinetics Of Two Different Pharmaceutical Oral Formulations Of Alprazolam And A Clonazepam Tablet In Mexican Healthy Population |
| NCT01046162 | A6131021 | Ph 1 | withdrawn | A Study Of Two Oral Preparations Of 2 Mg Alprazolam In Healthy Volunteers Under Fasting Conditions |
| NCT03286218 results posted | 16853 H8H-MC-LAHB | Ph 1 | completed | A Study of the Abuse Potential of Lasmiditan in Participants Who Are Recreational Drug Users |
| NCT03012334 results posted | 16883 COL MIG-106, H8H-CD-LAHG | Ph 1 | completed | The Effects of Lasmiditan on Simulated Driving Performance - Healthy Participants |
| NCT03814733 | RAP-PK-18 | Ph 1 | completed | Assessment of Effect of Rapastinel on Driving Performance |
| NCT03398083 | NIDA-CBD-Phase1-001 | Ph 1 | completed | Evaluation of the Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) Compared to Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Alprazolam |
| NCT02374567 GAP | GAP-2014 | Ph 3 | terminated | Pharmacovigilance in Gerontopsychiatric Patients |
| NCT01546896 | bsp2010 | Ph 4 | withdrawn | Effects of Buspar on Depressive Symptom Improvement and Neuroprotection in Patients With Anxiety Disorder |
| NCT01549691 PREMED | PHRC 2011-20 2011-002553-65 | Ph 4 | completed | Reassessment of Premedication in Surgery |
| NCT00975481 results posted | B1451037 | Ph 1 | completed | A Study To Evaluate The Abuse Potential Of Single Oral Doses Of Dimebon (Latrepirdine) In Healthy Recreational Polydrug Users |
| NCT01546090 | 390553 390553, 390553 | Ph 4 | completed | Effect of Alprazolam on the Success of Inferior Alveolar Nerve (IAN) Block |
| NCT00878514 | 0228015 | Ph 1 | completed | Bioequivalence Study Comparing Two Alprazolam 1 mg Tablets Under Fed Conditions |
| NCT00878865 | 0228014 | Ph 1 | completed | Bioequivalence Study Comparing Two Alprazolam 1 mg Tablets |
Active Pipeline
Ongoing clinical trials by development phase
Key Completed Trials
Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance
Trial Timeline
Full development history with FDA approval milestones
Understanding FDA Approval Types
| Count | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| - | ORIG | Original approval - drug first enters market |
| - | SUPPL - Efficacy | New indication (new disease/condition approved) |
| - | SUPPL - Labeling | Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates) |
| - | SUPPL - Manufacturing | Production changes (new facility) |
| - | SUPPL - Chemistry | Formulation changes (new dosage strength) |
Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.
XANAX FDA Label Details
Indications & Usage
FDA Label (PDF)XANAX is indicated for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Panic Disorder; Agoraphobia.
WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS • Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patien...
Track XANAX with TheraRadar Pro
Watchlist alerts, full database access, CSV exports across 14,000+ drugs.
Data Sources
Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.
How We Calculate These Metrics
Trial Activity Stage
Measures the current development activity pattern based on trial phases, status, and trends. Important: This measures R&D activity, not commercial lifecycle.
Trial statuses: "Active" means recruiting or ongoing. "Completed" means reached planned endpoint. "Terminated" means stopped early—often due to safety, efficacy, or business reasons.
- Growth: High proportion of early-phase trials (Phase 1/2), active development
- Expansion: Significant Phase 3 activity, approaching or pursuing approvals
- Mature: Substantial Phase 4 post-marketing studies
- Stable: Mixed phase distribution, steady development
- Declining: Low active trial ratio, reduced R&D investment