Alprazolam is used for treatment of anxiety or panic symptoms. Learn how to use the medication, its common side effects, special precautions to watch out for, and more.

What is this medication for?

Alprazolam belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines.

It can be used for treatment of anxiety or panic symptoms such as: 

• Feeling constantly worried and helpless
• Very fast heartbeat
• Uncontrolled shaking of body parts such as hands (tremors)
• Sweating
• Nervousness 

It may also be used for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.

How should I take or use this medication?

• 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.
• If you feel that the medication is not working well, please consult your doctor. 
• You should obtain this medication from the same doctor or clinic whenever possible.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

• If you are directed by your doctor to take the medication regularly but forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if more than half of the time to the next dose has passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual timing.
• For example, for a medication to be taken two times daily at 8am and 8pm, and you missed your first dose at 8am, skip the first dose if it is after 2pm, and take your second dose at the usual timing at 8pm. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your doctor would have discussed the potential benefits and side-effects with you and should you have further questions or concerns, do consult your doctor.
• You are taking any other medications (including those that can be bought without a prescription), supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. Some of them may affect how this medication works or cause serious drug interactions.
• You have or have ever had:
  • Other drug allergies
  • Other mental health conditions such as depression (low mood)
  • Medical conditions such as:
    • Lung, brain, kidney or liver disease
    • Previous drug or alcohol abuse
    • Glaucoma (high pressure in the eyes), seizures (fits), Myasthenia Gravis (an autoimmune condition that affects the nerves and muscles) or sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)

This medication may be habit-forming when taken excessively or for a prolonged duration (especially at high doses). This may result in:

• Unintentional, regular use of the medication
• Dependence or over-reliance on the medication
• Decreased effectiveness of the medication

      This can be prevented by taking the medication:

• On a short-term basis (2 - 4 weeks)
• At the lowest effective dose
• Intermittently (for example, taking it once every 2 or 3 nights for the relief of sleep difficulty)

If you have been taking the medication on a long-term basis or at high doses, 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 (hearing or seeing things that do not exist), increased anxiety, nausea or vomiting, and in severe cases, medical emergencies such as fits.

If you wish to cut down, discuss with your doctor to come up with a plan to help you on this. It is often best to reduce the dose gradually over a few weeks.

If you are prescribed this medication for other conditions, consult your doctor or specialist for further advice about the appropriate dose and duration.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Nausea or stomach discomfort
  • Take the medication with or after food
  • Take small but frequent meals, and avoid fatty or spicy food
• Constipation
  • Drink more water (if not on fluid-restricted diet), eat more high-fibre foods, and exercise regularly
  • Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you need a medication to help with your constipation
• Dizziness
  • Get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position
• Dry mouth
  • Chew sugar-free gum, suck on sugar-free hard candies or ice chips, sip water regularly
• Drowsiness or feeling tired
• Avoid driving or taking part in activities that require concentration
• Discuss with your doctor if you can take your medication at a different time of the day
• Feeling clumsy or unsteady

Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time. Speak with your doctor if any of them continues, worsens or affects your daily life.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Rarely this medication may cause:

• Memory loss (amnesia)
• Abnormal thinking
• Hearing or seeing things that do not exist (hallucinations)
• Unusual excitement, irritability, or agitation (disinhibition)
• Changes in mood or behaviour
• Unusual sleep-related activities such as walking, eating or cooking
• Confusion
• Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
• Dark brown urine, light coloured stools (pale grey/clay-coloured), yellowing of skin and eyes (symptoms of liver problems)

If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop your medication and inform your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Alprazolam as it can cause excessive sleepiness.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Feb 2025