What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Alprazolam and ritonavir
Alprazolam's FDA label of January 18, 2023 names ritonavir in its contraindications section; the ritonavir label PlainMeds reads does not name alprazolam. The alprazolam label: “Use with CYP3A Inhibitors (except ritonavir): Increase the risk of adverse reactions of alprazolam.”
Check it at the source: the alprazolam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 18, 2023, PHARMACIA & UPJOHN COMPANY LLC); the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.).
What does the alprazolam label say about ritonavir?
Alprazolam label, contraindications• taking strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), except ritonavir [see Dosage and Administration (2.6), Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Drug Interactions (7.1) ] Known hypersensitivity to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines.
Alprazolam label, drug interactionsUse with CYP3A Inhibitors (except ritonavir): Increase the risk of adverse reactions of alprazolam.
Alprazolam label, warnings and precautionsStrong CYP3A Inhibitors XANAX is contraindicated in patients receiving strong inhibitors of CYP3A (such as azole antifungal agents), except ritonavir [see Contraindications (4) ].
Alprazolam Xr label (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., February 11, 2025), contraindications• taking strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), except ritonavir [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Known hypersensitivity to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines.
Alprazolam Xr label (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., February 11, 2025), warnings and precautionsDosage adjustment is necessary when alprazolam XR and ritonavir are initiated concomitantly or when ritonavir is added to a stable dosage of alprazolam XR [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Drug Interactions (7.1) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Alprazolam Xr, NDA021434), Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective February 11, 2025 (SPL set 1338d1c9-7c75-42ed-95f3-9eb1b6fc51d3), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Xanax), PHARMACIA & UPJOHN COMPANY LLC, effective January 18, 2023 (SPL set 388e249d-b9b6-44c3-9f8f-880eced0239f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the ritonavir label say about alprazolam?
Ritonavir's label (effective July 23, 2026) does not name alprazolam in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Norvir), AbbVie Inc., effective July 23, 2026 (SPL set 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Alprazolam | Ritonavir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | HIV |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0236 per tablet 0.25 mg tablet | $0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once