Xanax, a brand name for the drug alprazolam, is a prescription medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class, often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which slows down brain activity, producing a calming effect. Xanax is typically fast-acting, providing relief from symptoms of anxiety, nervousness, and restlessness within 30 minutes to an hour.