Xanax won FDA approval in 1981 and remains among the 25 most prescribed drugs and the most frequently used drug in the benzodiazepine family. Indications for Xanax include moderate to severe anxiety and panic, although in clinical practice it seems widely distributed to combat almost any stress in everyday life.

By itself Xanax may be misused and abused but the likelihood of a fatal overdose appears remote. Unfortunately in today’s times with widespread opioid abuse and excessive alcohol consumption, people tend to combine drugs. In these circumstances Xanax dramatically increases the potential for unintended but nevertheless lethal overdoses.

Estimates suggest an 800% increase in the number of opioid deaths involving benzodiazepines of which Xanax remains the most frequent example. Approximately 9 out of every 10 deaths related to benzodiazepines also involve at least 1 opioid or other psychoactive substance. And in more than 1 in 3 opioid related deaths, benzodiazepines were a complicating factor.

Currently in the midst of the opioid epidemic, the government appears intent to discourage prescriptions for Xanax and related drugs in favor of SSRIs such as Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro and their various generic equivalents.

Xanax gained notoriety as a street drug. Known as Xannies, Blue Footballs, Ladders, Bricks, Z Bars and Benzos the contents may be quite varied without any guarantee of the presence or purity of Xanax or its generic alprazolam. Not infrequently these tablets are actually manufactured by dealers with the aid of pill presses utilizing ingredients of uncertain nature.

When used appropriately Xanax offers the potential for significant benefit. Unfortunately its short half life compared to other benzodiazepines increases risks for dependence, withdrawal and addiction.