Alprazolam
- Class: Benzodiazepine
- Used for: anxiety
- Say it: al-PRAY-zoh-lam
- Forms: tablet, oral liquid
Mnemonic: A benzo boosts GABA — it cannot replace it
A benzodiazepine only amplifies GABA that is already there. That ceiling is why it is relatively safe alone — and why it becomes lethal once alcohol or an opioid is added.
A benzodiazepine only amplifies GABA that is already there. That ceiling is why it is relatively safe alone — and why it becomes lethal once alcohol or an opioid is added.
Suffix -ZOLAM / -AZEPAM: A -ZOLAM or -AZEPAM name turns up the brain's own brake.
The stem marks a benzodiazepine: it makes GABA, the brain's main inhibitory signal, more effective. Fast relief of anxiety — and tolerance, dependence and a hard withdrawal if it runs past a few weeks. Flumazenil is the reversal agent. All drug suffixes ›
The stem marks a benzodiazepine: it makes GABA, the brain's main inhibitory signal, more effective. Fast relief of anxiety — and tolerance, dependence and a hard withdrawal if it runs past a few weeks. Flumazenil is the reversal agent. All drug suffixes ›
Side effects
Common: drowsiness, poor memory, unsteadiness
Serious: dependence, breathing depression with opioids
Typical dose
0.25–0.5 mg three times daily
Short-term use only — weeks, not months. Taper to stop.
Check yourself
Why is a benzodiazepine far more dangerous alongside an opioid?
- Both suppress breathing, and the effects add together
- The opioid blocks the benzodiazepine's metabolism
- They compete for the same receptor
- The benzodiazepine makes the opioid last much longer
Show answer
A. Both suppress breathing, and the effects add together
Each drug depresses respiration by a separate route, so there is no shared ceiling to protect the patient. This pairing is behind a large share of prescription overdose deaths.
See it, don't memorize it
The app has the mechanism comic and a patient case for Alprazolam – plus the name link, the class mnemonic, pronunciation you can hear, and a self-check, for the top 100 drugs. One purchase, no subscription, no account.