Popular pills similar to Xanax (alprazolam) are other benzodiazepines (benzos) like Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Valium (diazepam), all used for fast anxiety relief but carry addiction risks, alongside other options like non-addictive antidepressants (SSRIs) or beta-blockers (Propranolol) for longer-term management, notes HelpGuide.org and RedBox Rx.
The closest prescription drug to Xanax (alprazolam) is another benzodiazepine, such as:
The Top 10 Medications for Anxiety
Anti-anxiety medications help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks or extreme fear and worry. The most common anti-anxiety medications are called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a group of medications that can help reduce anxiety and make it easier to sleep.
Alprazolam (oral route)
The gendered cultural meanings of diazepam (Valium®), a well-known benzodiazepine, was cemented in the 1966 Rolling Stones' song “Mother's little helper”. Benzodiazepines are recommended for the short-term treatment of anxiety and insomnia (Baldwin et al., 2013).
For those who only need relief during specific events, propranolol can be a game-changer, as this is a good alternative to riskier medications like Xanax, Klonopin and Valium which are often used for in the moment anxiety control.
Benzodiazepines are sometimes called minor tranquillisers or sleeping pills. They're a class of drug commonly prescribed in the short term to help manage anxiety conditions. Benzodiazepines promote relaxation and reduce tension, but are not recommended for long-term use.
Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures. The most common benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs Valium®, Xanax®, Halcion®, Ativan®, and Klonopin®.
Medications for anxiety
An anti-anxiety medication called buspirone may be prescribed. In limited circumstances, your doctor may prescribe other types of medications, such as sedatives, also called benzodiazepines, or beta blockers. These medications are for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms and are not intended to be used long term.
An anti-anxiety medicine with a milder effect is Buspirone (Buspar). Buspar is good for mild anxiety but doesn't appear to have an effect on panic attacks.
Doctors often prefer Ativan because it lasts longer, has a slower onset, and carries a lower risk of rapid dependence compared to fast-acting Xanax.
Due to the potency of Xanax, 1 mg of Xanax is equal to 20 mg of Valium. Because of the range in potency between different benzodiazepines, a health care professional would prescribe varying dosages based on the drug a person needs.
“Happy pills” — in particular the anxiolytic drugs Miltown and Valium and the antidepressant Prozac — have been spectacularly successful “products” over the last 5 decades, largely because they have widespread off label use. Miltown, launched in the 1950s, was the first “blockbuster” psychotropic drug in the US.
"Happy pills" typically refer to antidepressants, a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Valium (diazepam), are fast-acting medications that can provide immediate relief for anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can increase the calming effect of certain chemicals in your brain. When you take a benzodiazepine, it can reduce anxiety and may help you sleep. Examples are diazepam and lorazepam. Other benzodiazepines have a sedative action.
Commonly prescribed types of antidepressants are:
The following are some more commonly prescribed anxiety medications.
Today, celebrities including Robert Downey Jr. and Katy Perry have admitted to using beta-blockers to calm nerves before public appearances. Yet, according to the UK-based Pharmaceutical Journal, some experts warn that evidence supporting propranolol's use for anxiety is limited.
When you are anxious, your brain makes chemical messengers called adrenaline and noradrenaline. These make your heart rate faster and make you sweat or shake. Propranolol helps block the effects of these chemical messengers. This reduces the physical signs of anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative medication. This means they slow down the body and brain's functions. They can be used to help with anxiety and insomnia (difficult getting to sleep or staying asleep).