Drug/Small Molecule:
alprazolam

2D structure

Overview

Generic Names: TUS-1; alprazolam
Trade Names: Alplax; Alpronax; Alviz; Bestrol; Cassadan; Constan; D 65MT; Esparon; Frontal; Intensol; Niravam; Restyl; Solanax; Tafil; Tranax; Trankimazin; Tranquinal; Xanax; Xanax XR; Xanor
PharmGKB Accession Id: PA448333

Description

A triazolobenzodiazepine compound with antianxiety and sedative-hypnotic actions, that is efficacious in the treatment of panic disorders, with or without agoraphobia, and in generalized anxiety disorders. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p238) (source: Drug Bank)

Indication

For the management of anxiety disorder or the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety and for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. (source: Drug Bank)

ATC Therapeutic Category

  • N05BA:Benzodiazepine derivatives

Pharmacology, Interactions, and Contraindications

Mechanism Of Action

Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptors BNZ1, which mediates sleep, and BNZ2, which affects affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptors are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA<sub>A</sub>) receptors, this enhances the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA receptor. Binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell. (source: Drug Bank)

Pharmacology

Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, is used to treat panic disorder and anxiety disorder. Unlike chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, and prazepam, alprazolam has a shorter half-life and metabolites with minimal activity. Like other triazolo benzodiazepines such as triazolam, alprazolam may have significant drug interactions involving the hepatic cytochrome P-450 3A4 isoenzyme. Clinically, all benzodiazepines cause a dose-related central nervous system depressant activity varying from mild impairment of task performance to hypnosis. Unlike other benzodiazepines, alprazolam may also have some antidepressant activity, although clinical evidence of this is lacking. (source: Drug Bank)

Food Interactions

Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive quantities of coffee or tea (Caffeine).
Avoid taking with grapefruit juice.
Take with food. (source: Drug Bank)

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination & Toxicity

Biotransformation

Hepatic. Hydroxylated in the liver to α-hydroxyalprazolam, which is also active. This and other metabolites are later excreted in urine as glucuronides. (source: Drug Bank)

Protein Binding

80% (mainly to albumin) (source: Drug Bank)

Absorption

Readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Bioavailability is 80-90%. (source: Drug Bank)

Toxicity

Oral, mouse: LD<sub>50</sub>=1020 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include confusion, coma, impaired coordination, sleepiness, and slowed reaction time. (source: Drug Bank)

Isomeric SMILES Code:

Cc1nnc2n1-c3ccc(cc3C(=NC2)c4ccccc4)Cl (source: Drug Bank)

The following genes are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Gene Relationship Evidence
No phenotype data Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Not annotated
CYP1A2
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP2C19
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP2C9
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP2D6
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Not annotated
CYP3A
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP3A4
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Not annotated
CYP3A43
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP3A5
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
GABRA1
  •   
  • PD
  •   
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
GABRB2
  •   
  • PD
  •   
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
GABRG2
  •   
  • PD
  •   
  •   
  •   
Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other genes is available.

Drug Targets

Gene Description
GABRA1 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
GABRA2 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
GABRA3 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
GABRA4 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
GABRA5 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
GABRA6 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
TSPO Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)

The following drugs are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Drug Relationship Evidence
Phenotype data available No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
fluoxetine
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
fluvoxamine
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other drugs is available.

Drug Interactions

Drug Description
amprenavir Uncurated Annotation Increases the effect and toxicity of benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
carbamazepine Uncurated Annotation Reduces the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
cimetidine Uncurated Annotation Increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
clarithromycin Uncurated Annotation The macrolide increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
clozapine Uncurated Annotation Increased risk of toxicity (source: Drug Bank)
delavirdine Uncurated Annotation The antiviral agent increases the effect and toxicity of benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
digoxin Uncurated Annotation The benzodiazepine increases the effect (source: Drug Bank)
efavirenz Uncurated Annotation The antiviral agent increases the effect and toxicity of benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
erythromycin Uncurated Annotation The macrolide increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
erythromycin Uncurated Annotation The macrolide increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
fluconazole Uncurated Annotation Increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
fosamprenavir Uncurated Annotation Amprenavir increases the effect and toxicity of benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
indinavir Uncurated Annotation The protease inhibitor increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
itraconazole Uncurated Annotation The imidazole increase the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
ketoconazole Uncurated Annotation The imidazole increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
mephenytoin Uncurated Annotation Possible increased levels of the hydantoin, decrease of benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
nelfinavir Uncurated Annotation The protease inhibitor increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
omeprazole Uncurated Annotation Increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
phenytoin Uncurated Annotation Possible increased levels of the hydantoin, decrease of benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
ritonavir Uncurated Annotation The protease inhibitor increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
saquinavir Uncurated Annotation The protease inhibitor increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
telithromycin Uncurated Annotation Increases the effect/toxicity of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)
voriconazole Uncurated Annotation The imidazole increases the effect of the benzodiazepine (source: Drug Bank)

Curated Information

The following diseases are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Disease Relationship Evidence
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Anxiety Disorders
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • FA
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Depression
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Panic Disorder
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • FA
  •   
Publications

Non-Curated Information

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other diseases is available.

Additional Datasets

These datasets are minimally curated and are sorted alphabetically by title.

  1. Physicochemical determinants of human renal clearance

LinkOuts

Web Resource:
Wikipedia
DrugBank:
DB00404
KEGG Compound ID:
C06817
KEGG Drug ID:
D00225
PubChem Compound ID:
2118
PubChem Substance ID:
176116

Common Searches

Search PubMed
Search Medline Plus
Search PubChem
Search CTD

Non-Curated Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug is available.

PharmGKB integrates drug information from different sources: DrugBank, Open Eye Scientific Software.
Add New Alternate Name
Add New ATC Term
Add Cross Reference
Add a metabolite
Add a text annotation
Add a drug target
hint: enter a gene
    Add a drug interaction
    hint: enter a drug
    PharmGKB® is a registered trademark of HHS and is financially supported by NIH/NIGMS. It is managed at Stanford University (GM61374).
    ©2001-2010 PharmGKB.