Alprazolam is a prescription medicine that's used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder. It's in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines and works by lessening abnormal excitement in the brain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved alprazolam in 1981. It's sold under the brand name Xanax.

Yes, alprazolam is exactly the same chemical compound as Xanax; the only difference is the naming convention. Alprazolam is the "generic" name of the drug, whereas Xanax is the "brand" name created by the pharmaceutical company Upjohn (now a part of Viatris/Pfizer). They both belong to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which work by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical in the body (GABA) to produce a calming effect. In 2026, many healthcare providers prescribe the generic alprazolam because it is significantly cheaper than the brand-name Xanax, even though the active ingredient, dosage, and efficacy are identical. Both medications are used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, and they carry the same risks of dependency and withdrawal. In a clinical or pharmacy setting, if a prescription is written for Xanax, a pharmacist may often substitute it with generic alprazolam unless "dispense as written" is specified, though the actual physical appearance of the pill (color, shape, or imprints) may vary depending on the manufacturer.