Effects of Xanax

Xanax^® (

alprazolam) is a prescription medication approved to treat panic disorder and anxiety. The effects of Xanax on the body can include:

Reducing anxiety
Causing sleepiness
Relaxing muscles
Stopping seizures
Impairing short-term memory.

Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine, and all medications in this group of medications can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific benzodiazepine that is being taken. These medications work in the brain by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Xanax and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).

(Click Xanax for a more in-depth look at the effects of Xanax, including information on how it works and how it can help treat various conditions in adults.)