Alprazolam, commonly known by its brand name Xanax, is a prescription medication primarily used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which act on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This neurotransmitter inhibits the activity of nerve cells in the brain, leading to a reduction in anxiety, relaxation of muscles, and sometimes sedation.