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Overview
This article explains how alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax if you’d like more information about these drugs.
Side effects of alprazolam and Xanax
Alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax. You can also check out these articles about alprazolam oral tablet side effects and Xanax side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax.
| alprazolam oral tablet | Xanax | |
| drowsiness | ✓ | ✓ |
| fatigue (low energy) | ✓ | ✓ |
| feeling dizzy or lightheaded | ✓ | ✓ |
| problems with balance and coordination | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax.
| alprazolam oral tablet | Xanax | |
|---|---|---|
| blurry or double vision | ✓ | ✓ |
| central nervous system depression | ✓ | ✓ |
| depression, which can cause suicidal thoughts or actions in rare cases | ✓ | ✓ |
| difficulty performing tasks that require coordination, including driving | ✓ | ✓ |
| heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat and chest pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| liver problems, including jaundice | ✓ | ✓ |
| hallucinations | ✓ | ✓ |
| seizures | ✓ | ✓ |
| movement problems, including uncontrolled muscle movements | ✓ | ✓ |
| serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
| boxed warning: risk of serious effects if taken with opioids, risk of misuse and addiction, and risk of dependence and withdrawal* | ✓ | ✓ |
* For details about these side effects, see the “Warnings for alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax” section below.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Dosage of alprazolam and Xanax
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax treat, see these articles about alprazolam oral tablet dosage and Xanax dosage.
Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Alprazolam’s dosage
Below is a summary of alprazolam oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | How it’s taken | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in adults | oral tablet | 0.25–0.5 mg, 3 times per day | 0.75 mg–4 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses | 4 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses |
| panic disorder in adults | oral tablet | 0.5 mg 3 times per day | 1 mg–10 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses | 10 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses |
Xanax’s dosage
Below is a summary of Xanax’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | How it’s taken | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in adults | oral tablet | 0.25–0.5 mg, 3 times per day | 0.75 mg–4 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses | 4 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses |
| panic disorder in adults | oral tablet | 0.5 mg 3 times per day | 1 mg–10 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses | 10 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses |
Uses of alprazolam and Xanax
Here’s a summary of the approved uses of alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax.
| alprazolam oral tablet | Xanax | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder • panic disorder | • short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder • panic disorder |
| Prescribed to | adults | adults |
If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax is an option to consider.
Questions about alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax.
Can alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax be used for sleep?
No, these drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sleep, and they should not be used for this purpose. A reason for this is alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax have a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and addiction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Warnings for alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax” section below.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, check out these tips. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Between alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax, is one a better treatment for panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder?
Doctors may prescribe either alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax to treat panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. In studies, alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax were both effective for this purpose.
Keep in mind that your results from taking alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax may differ from those seen in studies.
In most cases, the decision to prescribe alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax will come down to whether your insurance coverage prefers one or the other.
Alprazolam is the active ingredient in Xanax. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Alprazolam is also the generic version of Xanax. They cause the same side effects, have the same dosage, and work the same way. (For more information about generics and brand-names, see the “Generic or biosimilar versions” section below.)
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
Cost of alprazolam and Xanax
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax can vary. Their price may be affected by:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
- the quantity you’re prescribed
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for alprazolam oral tablet and this coupon page for Xanax. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
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Generic versions
Alprazolam oral tablet is the generic version of Xanax. Xanax is a brand-name drug.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
If your doctor prescribed alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax, but you’d like to know about taking the other version, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine whether the generic or brand-name version is right for you.
Warnings for alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax are summarized below. Before using either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
Boxed warnings for alprazolam and Xanax
Alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax have boxed warnings about the risk of serious effects if taken with opioids and risk of misuse and addiction. The drugs also have a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Risk of serious effects if taken with opioids: Like Xanax and alprazolam, opioids can depress activity in your central nervous system (CNS). This can lead to slowed heart rate, difficulty breathing, and even coma, among other serious side effects. It can even be fatal in extreme cases.
Because of this risk, doctors avoid prescribing Xanax or alprazolam with an opioid unless there are no other treatment options suitable for your symptoms. If this is the case, they’ll prescribe the lowest possible dose of both drugs necessary to treat your symptoms. And they’ll closely monitor for side effects throughout treatment.
Risk of misuse and addiction: With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed, such as taking a drug to feel “high.” Misusing a drug, including alprazolam or Xanax, can lead to addiction. With addiction, you’re unable to stop taking a drug even when it’s causing harm. You may neglect work, school, or social responsibilities due to taking the drug.
Misusing alprazolam or Xanax can lead to serious or even fatal side effects, such as respiratory depression.
Because of these risks, Xanax and alprazolam are controlled substances. This means there are strict rules regarding how these drugs may be prescribed and dispensed. These rules are in place to help prevent misuse and addiction.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal: With dependence, your body needs a drug in your system for you to function as usual. (Drug dependence and addiction are not the same. It’s possible to be physically dependent on a drug without being addicted to it.) Because of this, stopping treatment with Xanax or alprazolam can cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that begin after you stop taking a drug that your body is dependent on.
Because of these risks, do not stop taking Xanax or alprazolam unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor. If you and your doctor agree that you’ll stop treatment with Xanax or alprazolam, your doctor will likely slowly decrease your dose over time. They’ll do this until it’s safe for you to stop taking the drug entirely.
Other warnings
In addition to the boxed warnings above, alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax have other warnings. These are summarized in the table below.
| alprazolam oral tablet | Xanax | |
|---|---|---|
| bipolar disorder | ✓ | ✓ |
| breathing problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| depression | ✓ | ✓ |
| kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| liver problems, such as chronic liver failure | ✓ | ✓ |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re age 65 years or older | ✓ | ✓ |
You can view more detailed articles about alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for alprazolam oral tablet and Xanax.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether alprazolam oral tablet or Xanax is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Would Xanax or alprazolam interact with any other drugs I’m taking?
- How long should it take before I feel a difference from Xanax or alprazolam?
- Are there reasons why my insurance might prefer Xanax over alprazolam or vice versa?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.