Xanax is a brand name for the prescription medication alprazolam, which belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Xanax is primarily used for the treatment of anxiety disorders and panic disorder. Xanax is prescribed to manage symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety about various aspects of life. Xanax is often used to treat panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder characterized by sudden and recurrent episodes of intense fear or panic attacks.