Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax among others, is a fast-acting, potent tranquilizer of moderate duration within the triazolobenzodiazepine group of chemicals called benzodiazepines. Alprazolam is most commonly prescribed in the management of anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).Other uses include the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea, together with other treatments.GAD improvement occurs generally within a week. Alprazolam is generally taken orally