alprazolam

IPA/ælˈpreɪ.zə.læm/
IPA/ælˈpreɪ.zə.læm/

alprazolam — noun

1. A medicine that helps reduce feelings of worry, fear, or panic. It belongs to a

1.nounC1
Definition

A medicine that helps reduce feelings of worry, fear, or panic. It belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines and is also sold under the brand name Xanax.

Example

Dr. Chen prescribed alprazolam to help with Lin's anxiety before her surgery.

prescribed alprazolam + for pre-surgery anxiety

The pharmacist explained that alprazolam should not be taken with alcohol.

warning: not to be taken with alcohol

Common collocations
  • prescribe alprazolam
  • take alprazolam
  • a low dose of alprazolam
  • alprazolam tablet
  • stop taking alprazolam
Synonyms
  • Xanax

    brand name for alprazolam, very widely used in everyday conversation

  • benzodiazepine

    the general drug class that alprazolam belongs to; less specific

Grammar Patterns

alprazolam + verb

Usage Note

Alprazolam is a controlled substance that can cause dependence if used for a long time. Doctors usually prescribe it for short-term use. The brand name Xanax is very common in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

I took an alprazolam yesterday.
I took alprazolam yesterday.
alprazolam is an uncountable noun; to refer to a single tablet, say 'a Xanax' or 'one alprazolam tablet.'

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three are anti-anxiety medications, but they differ in how fast they work and what they are used for. Alprazolam (Xanax) has a quick onset — it starts working within 30-60 minutes — and is often used for panic attacks or short-term anxiety relief. Diazepam (Valium) lasts longer in the body and is also used for muscle relaxation. Lorazepam (Ativan) has a medium duration and is common in hospital settings. Buspirone is not a benzodiazepine at all; it takes weeks to build up in the system and does not cause the drowsiness or dependence that alprazolam can. For everyday acute anxiety, alprazolam is the fastest-acting choice, but it carries a higher risk of dependence.

diazepam ↗lorazepambuspirone

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • take alprazolam as needed
  • a prescription for alprazolam
  • a low dose of alprazolam
  • stop taking alprazolam suddenly

Etymology

English

The name 'alprazolam' was created by pharmaceutical chemists in the 1970s. It combines parts from the drug's chemical structure: 'al-' refers to the triazolo ring, 'prazol-' comes from the diazepine core, and '-am' is a common ending for benzodiazepine drugs. The compound was first made in 1971 by the Upjohn Company and approved for medical use in the United States in 1981.