Xanax

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a medication used primarily to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which act on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect.

The brand was originally developed by the Upjohn Company in the United States during the late 1960s and received FDA approval in 1981. Following a series of pharmaceutical mergers, specifically the merger of Upjohn with Pharmacia and the subsequent acquisition of Pharmacia by Pfizer, the brand became a staple of Pfizer's portfolio.

Today, Xanax remains under the ultimate ownership of Viatris Inc., a global healthcare company formed in 2020 through the merger of Mylan and Upjohn (a former division of Pfizer). While corporate headquarters are in the United States, manufacturing facilities for Xanax are strategically located globally, with significant production centers in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, and various sites across North America.