{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"alprazolam","kind":"medication","name":"alprazolam","aliases":["Xanax"],"brands_sg":["Xanax","Xanax XR","Zacetin","Apo-Alpraz"],"class":"benzodiazepine","tags":["mental-health"],"use_for":"prescribed short-term for anxiety or panic symptoms","use_after":"healthhub: with or without food, as the doctor directs","use_duration":null,"take_with":"water · healthhub: alcohol can cause excessive sleepiness","pros":["healthhub: for short-term anxiety or panic symptoms","healthhub: most side effects improve with time","healthhub: with or without food"],"cons":["healthhub: habit-forming at high doses or long use","hh: drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, unsteadiness","healthhub: abrupt stopping can trigger withdrawal fits"],"dose_note":"the us fda label for xanax states, for generalised anxiety disorder, 'The recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX for the acute treatment of patients with GAD is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg administered three times daily … The maximum recommended dosage is 4 mg daily (in divided doses)' and 'Use the lowest possible effective dose and frequently assess the need for continued treatment'. for panic disorder the same label gives a 0.5 mg three-times-daily start with increases 'in increments of no more than 1 mg per day' and states no separate ceiling. sg-registered strengths are 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg immediate-release tablets and 0.5 mg and 1 mg extended-release tablets. in singapore the prescriber sets the dose.","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"prescription-only","cautions":["lung, brain, kidney or liver disease (healthhub)","past drug or alcohol misuse (healthhub)","glaucoma, seizures, myasthenia gravis or sleep apnoea (healthhub)","pregnancy, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding (healthhub)"],"clashes":[{"src":["hh_alp_avoid"],"food":true,"note":"healthhub: it can cause excessive sleepiness","with":"alcohol"},{"src":["fda_xanax_dose"],"note":"the fda label directs prescribers to a separate recommended dosage for use with ritonavir","with":"ritonavir"},{"src":["hh_alp_precautions"],"note":"healthhub: some may affect how it works or cause serious drug interactions","with":"other medicines, supplements and herbal remedies"}],"sources":[{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084/view","label":"HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg open dataset, 5,511 rows, cached in full and filtered locally)","quote":"All 7 registered alprazolam products carry Forensicclassification 'Prescription Only' — SIN01984P XANAX TABLET 0.25 mg · SIN01985P XANAX TABLET 0.5 mg · SIN09173P XANAX XR 0.5 mg · SIN10458P ZACETIN 0.25 mg · SIN07871P APO-ALPRAZ 0.5 mg","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alp_uses","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alprazolam","label":"HealthHub (National Medication Information workgroup, SG) — Alprazolam: what is this medication for","quote":"Alprazolam belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. It can be used for short term treatment of anxiety or panic symptoms such as: Feeling constantly worried and helpless; Very fast heartbeat","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alp_howto","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alprazolam","label":"HealthHub — Alprazolam: how should I take this medication","quote":"Follow the instructions on your medication label and take this medication as prescribed by your doctor. This medication may be taken with or without food … obtain this medication from the same doctor or clinic whenever possible.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alp_side","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alprazolam","label":"HealthHub — Alprazolam: common side effects","quote":"Nausea or stomach discomfort … Constipation … Dizziness … Dry mouth … Drowsiness or feeling tired … Feeling clumsy or unsteady. Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alp_habit","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alprazolam","label":"HealthHub — Alprazolam: dependence and habit-forming potential","quote":"This medication may be habit-forming when taken excessively or for a prolonged duration (especially at high doses) … On a short-term basis (2 - 4 weeks); At the lowest effective dose; Intermittently","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alp_withdrawal","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alprazolam","label":"HealthHub — Alprazolam: stopping the medication","quote":"do not stop taking it abruptly as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as increased sweating, increased heart rate, tremors, trouble sleeping, increased agitation, hallucinations … and in severe cases, medical emergencies such as fits.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alp_precautions","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alprazolam","label":"HealthHub — Alprazolam: what precautions should I take","quote":"Lung, brain, kidney or liver disease; Previous drug or alcohol abuse; Glaucoma (high pressure in the eyes), seizures (fits), Myasthenia Gravis … or sleep apnea … Some of them may cause serious drug interactions","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alp_avoid","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alprazolam","label":"HealthHub — Alprazolam: what food or medication should I avoid","quote":"Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Alprazolam as it can cause excessive sleepiness.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"fda_xanax_dose","url":"https://api.fda.gov/drug/label.json?search=openfda.brand_name:%22XANAX%22&limit=1","label":"US FDA label for XANAX (alprazolam), section 2.1 Dosage in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, via openFDA (Pharmacia & Upjohn, effective 2023-01-18)","quote":"The recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX for the acute treatment of patients with GAD is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg administered three times daily … The maximum recommended dosage is 4 mg daily (in divided doses).","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"fda_xanax_panic","url":"https://api.fda.gov/drug/label.json?search=openfda.brand_name:%22XANAX%22&limit=1","label":"US FDA label for XANAX (alprazolam), section 2.2 Dosage in Panic Disorder, via openFDA","quote":"Recommended starting oral dosage is 0.5 mg three times daily. The dosage may be increased at intervals of every 3 to 4 days in increments of no more than 1 mg per day.","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:10.48466+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}