xanax

IPA/ˈzæn.æks/
KK[zˈænæks]IPA/ˈzæn.æks/

xanax — noun

1. a brand-name medicine (the drug alprazolam) that doctors prescribe to reduce int

1.nounB2
Definition

a brand-name medicine (the drug alprazolam) that doctors prescribe to reduce intense worry, nervousness, or sudden panic attacks by calming the brain and the nervous system

Example

Dr. Chen prescribed Camille a low dose of Xanax for her severe anxiety.

collocation: prescribe + [dose] + Xanax + for [condition]

Tomás took a Xanax tablet an hour before his flight to stay calm.

take + Xanax + [time] + before [event] — common pattern

Common collocations
  • take Xanax
  • prescribe Xanax
  • Xanax prescription
  • be on Xanax
  • a low dose of Xanax
  • Xanax tablet
  • come off Xanax
  • Xanax withdrawal
Synonyms
  • alprazolam

    the generic (non-brand) name of the same drug; used in medical or formal contexts

  • Valium

    a different brand of benzodiazepine (diazepam), longer-lasting in effect; often compared with Xanax

  • benzodiazepine

    the class of drugs to which Xanax belongs; used when discussing the drug family rather than the specific brand

Grammar Patterns

take + Xanax

be on + Xanax

Xanax + prescription

Usage Note

Xanax is a trademarked brand name (owned by Pfizer), though English speakers often use it to refer to the generic drug alprazolam. Frequently used in the pattern 'be on Xanax' to describe someone receiving the drug as ongoing treatment. The word is usually uncountable ('she takes Xanax') but can be countable for a single tablet ('she took a Xanax').

Common Mistakes

I feel nervous, can I borrow your Xanax?
I feel nervous, can I get some help from a doctor?
Xanax is a prescription-only medicine and should never be shared with others.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Xanax is the best-known brand name for alprazolam, a fast-acting benzodiazepine used mainly for panic disorder and generalised anxiety. Valium (diazepam) is an older, longer-lasting benzodiazepine often used for muscle relaxation and alcohol withdrawal rather than quick panic relief. Ativan (lorazepam) is similar to Xanax but slightly longer-acting and commonly used in hospital settings. The term 'benzodiazepine' covers the entire drug class, which also includes less common names like Klonopin. For a learner, the key difference is speed: Xanax works within fifteen to thirty minutes, making it the usual choice for sudden panic attacks, whereas Valium builds up more slowly and stays in the body longer.

alprazolam ↗Valium ↗benzodiazepine ↗Ativan

Etymology

coined English

Xanax is a coined trademark name created by the Upjohn Company (now part of Pfizer) in the 1970s. Unlike most drug names, it has no direct roots in Latin or Greek — it was invented as a short, modern-sounding brand that would be easy for doctors and patients to remember across different languages.