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.
Alprazolam vs Xanax
The main 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 Benzodiazepine. It is consumed to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks by actioning over the brain and the nerves so that a calming effect can be spread 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 its interacting power is less.
Comparison Table Between Alprazolam and Xanax
| 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 the 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 areas in the brain and the nerves. They produce a calming effect on the nervous system. The Alprazolam tablets are multi-purposed. 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, the 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 the functioning of a certain chemical (GABA) within the body. The interaction power of Alprazolam tablets is also very high. It can interact with almost 945 drugs of minor, moderate, and major categories.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a vivid term. Xanax is a parent drug of Alprazolam and belongs to the same class of Benzodiazepine. Xanax tablets have some differences from Alprazolam because they have some benefits and drawbacks of 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 are used to cure panic and anxiety mainly 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 manufactured and sold by the Pfizer company exclusively.
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
- Alprazolam tablets can be taken with or without food and have disintegrating and extended-release properties whereas Xanax does not.
- 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.
- Alprazolam tablets are generally cheaper whereas Xanax is an exclusive product from a reputed brand and is made much more expensive than Alprazolam.
- Alprazolam is generally more toxic than Xanax and other drugs whereas Xanax is less toxic and more effective.
- Alprazolam is a generic name whereas Xanax is the parent drug.
Conclusion
Drugs and medications have several benefits and drawbacks but they are totally fine if taken under the prescription limits as mentioned by the doctor itself. However, both Alprazolam and Xanax serve the same purpose but their mechanism and way of behaving with the body’s processes are different. In some cases, Alprazolam is proven to be more effective than Xanax rather than having several disadvantages in functioning and action. Medications and allowance should only be taken if prescribed by the doctor.
They should not be taken forcefully or intentionally as complexity occurs. Moreover, Xanax is considered more effective than Alprazolam because the mechanism of Xanax is more tuned than Alprazolam. Anxiety attacks and panic strikes in the body can be carried more smoothly if the drugs are used in the proper manner and prescribed dosage. Yet both the drugs can prove to be severe and fatal.
References
- https://journals.lww.com/americantherapeutics/Fulltext/2006/09000/Pharmacokinetics_of_an_Extended_Release.8.aspx
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/106002808101500901