Xanax the brand name for alprazolam, is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It is widely used to manage anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and short-term relief of anxiety symptoms. Xanax works by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to calm the nervous system and promote a sense of relaxation and mental clarity.