Alprazolam vs Xanax: Difference and Comparison

Certain drugs and medicines are used to cure several disorders in the human body. All of these medicines are derived from their parent class of drugs.

They contain several binding molecules that have a resistive property against a certain disorder. Alprazolam is the generic name of the drug Xanax. 

Key Takeaways

1. Alprazolam is the generic name for the drug, while Xanax is the brand name for the same drug.
2. Alprazolam and Xanax are prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.
3. Since Xanax is a branded version, it may be more expensive than generic Alprazolam, but its effectiveness and side effects are the same.

Alprazolam vs Xanax

The difference between Alprazolam and Xanax is that Alprazolam is a medicinal drug that serves the purpose of anxiety and panic attacks treatments that are caused by worry, whereas Xanax is just a brand name under which Alprazolam is sold. Besides Xanax, several brand names are used to sell Alprazolam. 

Alprazolam is a drug that belongs to the class of Benzodiazepines. It is consumed to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks by acting over the brain and the nerves to spread a calming effect in the body.

It relieves anxiety, nervousness, depression and panic attacks, etc.

Xanax is the parent name of Alprazolam, whose drug class is Benzodiazepine. It is also a medication that relieves anxiety and panic attacks.

Unlike Alprazolam and other drugs, Xanax is just an oral-taking tablet that does not have disintegrating properties and extended release but less interacting power. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Alprazolam	Xanax
Definition	Alprazolam tablets are independent/child tablets for relieving panic and anxiety.	Xanax is a parent drug of Alprazolam and serves the same purpose.
Other prescriptions	Alprazolam can also be used to cure dysautonomia, tinnitus, depression, etc.	Xanax is involved in treating anxiety and panic attacks only.
Side effects	Alprazolam is harder and causes reactions in extreme cases like an allergy.	Xanax is less sensitive than Alprazolam and other drugs.
Drug interactions	Alprazolam tablets can be made to interact with a large number of drugs which include minor, moderate, and major drugs.	Xanax can interact with a total of 507 drugs less than Alprazolam and they also range between minor and major.
Production	Alprazolam tablets are manufactured and produced by several pharmaceutical companies.	Xanax is licensed under the name of Pfizer company exclusively.

What is Alprazolam?

Alprazolam is a type of drug which is derived from the class of Benzodiazepine.

Alprazolam tablets are taken orally to prevent anxiety issues and panic attacks that are caused due to stress, less or more release of specific hormones in the body, or several other medical reasons. 

It has some effective molecules that attack the affected brain and nerve areas. They produce a calming effect on the nervous system.

The Alprazolam tablets are multi-purpose. Besides dealing with anxiety and panic strikes, Alprazolam tablets are also used to cure several disorders, including depression, tinnitus, etc.

However, Alprazolam drugs have several side effects also because it is more extreme towards the body. Moreover, tablets also come in the addiction zone.

If taken inhabit, they can be proven to be very addictive and, thus, will influence several metabolic activities of the body. 

Overuse of every drug is harmful. These tablets must strictly be taken within the prescription limits given by the doctor. In scientific terms, they work by functioning a certain chemical (GABA) within the body.

The interaction power of Alprazolam tablets is also very high. It can interact with almost 945 minor, moderate, and major drugs. 

What is Xanax?

Xanax is a vivid term. Xanax is a parent drug of Alprazolam and belongs to the same class as Benzodiazepine. Xanax tablets have some differences from Alprazolam because they have some benefits and drawbacks in usage and dosage.

 Xanax also serves the same purpose as Alprazolam. It also relieves stress, panic attacks, and anxiety out of the body. However, the working mechanism of Xanax is different.

This drug is less sensitive and harsh towards several aspects of the body. Xanax tablets mainly cure panic and anxiety but with a more advanced approach.

The side effects of Xanax on the body are a little less and more manageable than other competitive drugs. It is also trusted with a nice compatible factor because the drug is exclusively manufactured and sold by the Pfizer company. 

Thus, it is alone on the track. Like other drugs, Xanax tablets are also addictive, like Alprazolam, when taken in larger amounts than the prescription, but the side effects in the body are manageable.

Xanax molecules also bind with the receptors of the brain and the nerves such that the body’s actions are calmed. Moreover, Xanax’s interactive power with other drugs is also less.

Main Differences Between Alprazolam and Xanax

1. Alprazolam tablets can be taken with or without food and have disintegrating and extended-release properties, whereas Xanax does not.
2. Alprazolam is less potent and effective in some cases and depends upon the medical history of the person, whereas Xanax is always a better drug than Alprazolam in quality and effectiveness.
3. Alprazolam tablets are cheaper, whereas Xanax is an exclusive product from a reputed brand and is made much more expensive than Alprazolam.
4. Alprazolam is more toxic than Xanax and other drugs, whereas Xanax is less toxic and more effective.
5. Alprazolam is a generic name, whereas Xanax is the parent drug.

References

1. https://journals.lww.com/americantherapeutics/Fulltext/2006/09000/Pharmacokinetics_of_an_Extended_Release.8.aspx
2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/106002808101500901

Last Updated : 21 June, 2023