Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam. It’s a benzodiazepine ( Antianxiety Agents, Anxiolytics) that acts on the brain and central nervous system to produce a smoothening effect. Benzodiazepine is prescribed by a doctor to give relief from insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks with or without agoraphobia, anxiety disorder, and nausea due to chemotherapy. It is a short-term medication. Alprazolam comes in several forms, like in a liquid, a disintegrating tablet, or a pill. Xanax bars are rectangular alprazolam pills that weigh usually 2 milligrams. Brand-name Xanax bars are white. Generic alprazolam bars are generally yellow, green, or blue. There are also purple, pink, and orange Xanax pills that normally come in round shapes. A purple Xanax weighs 1 mg, while pink and orange Xanax pills weigh only 0.5 mg. The heavier a Xanax bar, the more content of alprazolam it contains.