What is Xanax and who takes it?

The coroner for NI has highlighted the "escalating crisis" of deaths linked to fake versions of the anti-anxiety drug, Xanax.
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Xanax

Joe McCrisken said that now he is signing off an alprazolam-related death nearly once a week.

He says "most of the deaths" are caused by counterfeit versions of Xanax, the brand name for the drug alprazolam.

Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.

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It is not available on the NHS and it is a powerful tranquiliser.

According to NHS Choices the drug is prescribed for General Anxiety Disorder.

The site says: "The name Xanax is a brand name for the drug, which is actually called alprazolam.

"It is part of the benzodiazepine group of prescription drugs, which also includes diazepam and lorazepam.

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"Xanax isn't available on the NHS, and can only be obtained on a private prescription in the UK."

They add: "Xanax is a trade name for the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam.

"It is one of a group of addictive prescription medications known as benzodiazepines.

"Although Xanax is a prescription medication, it is also a controlled drug, which means it is illegal to take Xanax without a prescription from a medical doctor."