FAQs

If you or a loved one think you see the warning signs of benzodiazepine abuse, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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• XANAX is a prescription medicine used:
  • to treat anxiety disorders
  • for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety
  • to treat panic disorder with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia)
• XANAX is a federal controlled substance (C-IV) because it contains alprazolam that can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep XANAX in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away XANAX may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs
• It is not known if XANAX is safe and effective in children
• Elderly patients are especially susceptible to dose-related adverse effects when taking XANAX
• It is not known if XANAX is safe and effective when used to treat anxiety disorder for longer than 4 months
• It is not known if XANAX is safe and effective when used to treat panic disorder for longer than 10 weeks

• XANAX is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death. Get emergency help right away if any of the following happens:
  • shallow or slowed breathing
  • breathing stops (which may lead to the heart stopping)
  • excessive sleepiness (sedation)

  Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how taking XANAX with opioids affects you.

• Risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction. There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with benzodiazepines, including XANAX, which can lead to overdose and serious side effects including coma and death.
  • Serious side effects including coma and death have happened in people who have abused or misused benzodiazepines, including XANAX. These serious side effects may also include delirium, paranoia, suicidal thoughts or actions, seizures, and difficulty breathing. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you get any of these serious side effects.
  • You can develop an addiction even if you take XANAX as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
  • Take XANAX exactly as your healthcare provider prescribed.
  • Do not share your XANAX with other people.
  • Keep XANAX in a safe place and away from children.
• Physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. XANAX can cause physical dependence and withdrawal reactions.
  • Do not suddenly stop taking XANAX. Stopping XANAX suddenly can cause serious and life-threatening side effects, including, unusual movements, responses, or expressions, seizures, sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes, depression, seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, an extreme increase in activity or talking, losing touch with reality, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you get any of these symptoms.
  • Some people who suddenly stop benzodiazepines, have symptoms that can last for several weeks to more than 12 months, including, anxiety, trouble remembering, learning, or concentrating, depression, problems sleeping, feeling like insects are crawling under your skin, weakness, shaking, muscle twitching, burning or prickling feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, and ringing in your ears.
  • Physical dependence is not the same as drug addiction. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical dependence and drug addiction.
• Do not take more XANAX than prescribed or take XANAX for longer than prescribed.

• Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide.
• Do not use XANAX for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
• Do not give XANAX to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
• You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about XANAX that is written for health professionals.

• In some cases, patients have noticed a different taste, consistency, or appearance of medicines that are later identified as being counterfeit, or they may have a different reaction to the counterfeit drug.
• However, in more cases, many consumers may not know that the medicines they’ve purchased are counterfeits. That’s why it’s important to purchase prescription medicine from a legitimate pharmacy and pharmacist with whom you are familiar.
• If you suspect the Viatris medicine you have purchased may be counterfeit, contact us at 1-877-446-3679 (US only).

XANAX is not intended for recreational use. There may be serious risks if XANAX is taken by someone for whom it is not prescribed.

Do not take XANAX if:

• you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in XANAX. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in XANAX
• you are taking antifungal medicines including ketoconazole and itraconazole

The most common side effects of XANAX include:

• problems with coordination
• hypotension
• trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria)
• changes in sex drive (libido)

These are not all the possible side effects of XANAX. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.