Alprazolam: Review of pharmacological,pharmacokinetic, and clinical data

Alprazolam is a recently marketed triazolobenzodiazepine. The animal pharmacological data reviewed here suggest a potent anxiolytic action. But, in addition, an antidepressant activity was revealed in clinical studies and subsequently studied in animal assays. As an extension of these activities, alprazolam also displays efficacy in panic and phobic disorders. Data relating to a wide range of pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of alprazolam are also reviewed.