Two medicines, side by side
Alprazolam vs diazepam
Alprazolam and diazepam are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of alprazolam since 1981 and of diazepam since 1963. Pharmacies paid $0.0236 per alprazolam 0.25 mg tablet and $0.0283 per diazepam 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the alprazolam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 18, 2023); the diazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 11, 2026).
Highlights of the alprazolam record
Alprazolam (Xanax) · label of January 18, 2023
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS
Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsXANAX is indicated for the: • acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. • treatment of panic disorder (PD), with or without agoraphobia in adults. XANAX is a benzodiazepine indicated for the: • Acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in adults. ( 1 ) • Treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 16, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0236 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 23
Highlights of the diazepam record
Diazepam (Valium) · label of August 11, 2026
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsValium is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short- term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. In acute alcohol withdrawal, Valium may be useful in the symptomatic relief of acute agitation, tremor, impending or acute delirium tremens and hallucinosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 1963
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0283 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Alprazolam label of January 18, 2023, Diazepam label of August 11, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do alprazolam and diazepam differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class benzodiazepines.
Half-life, in each label's words: Alprazolam, “Elimination The mean plasma elimination half-life (T 1/2 ) of alprazolam is approximately 11.2 hours (range: 6.3 to …”; Diazepam, “The initial distribution phase has a half-life of approximately 1 hour, although it may range up to >3 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: alprazolam since 1993; diazepam since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Alprazolam | Diazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | Anxiety, Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Benzodiazepine | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | Alprazolam is a 1,4 benzodiazepine. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination The mean plasma elimination half-life (T 1/2 ) of alprazolam is approximately 11.2 hours (range: 6.3 to 26.9 hours) in healthy adults. | The initial distribution phase has a half-life of approximately 1 hour, although it may range up to >3 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 16, 1981 | November 15, 1963 |
| First generic approved | October 19, 1993 | September 4, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0236 per tablet (Alprazolam 0.25 mg tablet) | $0.0283 per tablet (Diazepam 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -1% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 23 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 204,916 | 121,010 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | CIV |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Alprazolam label, drug interactionsCNS Depressants Clinical implication The benzodiazepines, including alprazolam, produce additive CNS depressant effects when coadministered with other CNS depressants.
Diazepam label, drug interactionsCentrally Acting Agents If Valium is to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of Valium, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, sedative antihistamines …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to alprazolam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions