A triazolobenzodiazepine, alprazolam is. The precise mode of action has not yet been identified. Clinically speaking, all benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in symptoms ranging from minor agitation to hypnosis.

Alprazolam is quickly absorbed following oral treatment, with serum levels peaking 1 to 2 hours later. The administered dose is proportional to the plasma levels. Alprazolam has an elimination half-life of 12 to 15 hours.

Alprazolam is transported in vitro 80% bound to proteins.

Alprazolam penetrates the placental barrier and is eliminated in breast milk like the other benzodiazepines.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4) is the enzyme that metabolizes alprazolam most thoroughly, and as a result, two main metabolites, 4-hydroxyalprazolam and -hydroxyalprazolam, are produced in the plasma. Humans also produce a benzophenone derived from alprazolam. Its half-life resembles Alprazolam’s in many ways. Plasma levels of 4- and -hydroxyalprazolam are comparable to those of unmodified alprazolam, which were less than 4%. These negligible concentrations imply that they don’t contribute significantly to Alprazolam’s pharmacological effects. Metabolites of benzophenone are largely inert.

Numerous disorders, such as alcoholism, decreased liver and kidney function, have been linked to changes in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of benzodiazepines. Geriatric patients have also demonstrated changes. In healthy senior people, alprazolam had a mean half-life of 16.3 hours (range: 9.0-26.9 hours, n = 16), compared to 11.0 hours (range: 6.3-15.8, n = 16) in healthy adult subjects.

The half-life of alprazolam was lengthened when oral contraceptives were also administered to healthy women (mean: 12.4 hours, n = 11 vs. 9.6 hours, n = 9).

The same healthy people who were also given cimetidine experienced a lengthening of the mean alprazolam half-life, which was 12.4 hours (range: 7.2-18.4 hours; n = 9). The half-life of alprazolam ranged from 5.8 to 65.3 hours (mean: 19.7 hours, n = 7) in individuals with alcoholic liver impairment, as opposed to between 6.3 and 26.9 hours (mean 11.4 hours, n = 17). in wholesome subjects. Alprazolam’s half-life in a sample of obese participants ranged from 9.9 to 40.4 hours (mean: 21.8 hours, n = 12) as opposed to between 6.3 and 15.8 hours (mean: 10.6 hours, n = 12) in healthy participants.