A short-acting benzodiazepine medication that enhances GABA neurotransmitter activity, used to treat panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Known for rapid onset but high potential for dependence.
Developed by Upjohn (now Pfizer) in the 1970s, the name reflects its chemical structure as a triazolobenzodiazepine. The suffix '-lam' is used in benzodiazepine nomenclature to distinguish structural variants.
Alprazolam (Xanax) is the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the US, but it's also one of the most problematic - it works within minutes for panic attacks but can cause severe withdrawal seizures if stopped abruptly. Its short duration means patients often need multiple doses daily, increasing addiction risk compared to longer-acting benzodiazepines.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.