Generic Name
Alprazolam
Brand Name
Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam
Class
Antianxiety agents, anxiolytics, benzodiazepines
Proposed Mechanism(s) of Action
Binds to benzodiazepine receptors at the GABA-A ligand-gated channel, thus allowing for neuronal hyperpolarization. Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory action of GABA via boosted chloride conductance.
Indication
Generalized anxiety and panic disorder
Off-Label Use
Other anxiety disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, adjunctive treatment in mania and psychosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Side Effects
Serious
Respiratory depression, hepatic dysfunction (rare), renal dysfunction and blood dyscrasias, grand mal seizures
Common
Sedation, fatigue, depression, dizziness, memory problems, disinhibition, confusion, ataxia, slurred speech
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences and Readings
Physicians’ Desk Reference (71st ed.). (2017). Montvale: Thomson PDR.
Stahl, S. M. (2007). Essential psychopharmacology: The prescriber’s guide (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Additional Information
Drug Interaction Effects: http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
Drug Molecule Images: http://www.worldofmolecules.com/drugs/
Free Drug Online and PDA Software.: www.medscape.com
Free Drug Online and PDA Software: www.epocrates.com
Gene-Based Estimate of Drug interactions: http://mhc.daytondcs.com:8080/cgibin/ddiD4?ver=4&task=getDrugList
Pill Identification.: http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this entry
Cite this entry
Courtney, J.C., Gonzalez, E.A. (2018). Alprazolam. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1624
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1624
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-57110-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-57111-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences