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10.9: Antianxiety Medications

  • Page ID
    87204
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    • Main ChemSpider page
    • Molecular formula: C17H13ClN4
    • Molar mass: 308.765
    • CAS Registry Number: 28981-97-7
    • Appearance: Not available
    • Melting point: 228 to 2290 °C
    • Boiling point: Not available
    • Solubility: Not available
    • Safety sheet: Not available

    From Wikipedia

    Alprazolam, available under the trade name Xanax, is a potent, short-acting anxiolytic of the benzodiazepine class. It is commonly used for the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially of panic disorder, but also in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) or social anxiety disorder. Alprazolam, like other benzodiazepines, binds to specific sites on the GABAA receptor. It possesses anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, and amnestic properties. Alprazolam is available for oral administration in compressed tablet (CT) and extended-release capsule (XR) formulations.

    Peak benefits achieved for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may take up to a week. Tolerance to the anxiolytic/antipanic effects is controversial with some authoritative sources reporting the development of tolerance, tolerance will, however, develop to the sedative-hypnotic effects within a couple of days. The first approved use was panic disorder and within two years of its original marketing Xanax became a blockbuster drug in the US. Presently, alprazolam is the most prescribed and the most misused benzodiazepine in the US. The potential for misuse among those taking it for medical reasons is controversial with some expert reviews stating that the risk is low and similar to that of other benzodiazepine drugs Compared to the large number of prescriptions, relatively few individuals increase their dose on their own initiative or engage in drug-seeking behavior. Alprazolam is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

    Other names

    Alprax; Anxyl; Panistat; Panix; Xanax; Xanor


    This page titled 10.9: Antianxiety Medications is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Elizabeth Gordon.

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