Biochemical Background on the Molecule or Class of Molecules

Xanax Medication
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Xanax Medication
Introduction
Like Valium, Xanax or Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, which is commonly prescribed psychotropic treatment for insomnia and anxiety disorders (Ait-Daoud et al., 2018). Xanax is highly addictive and can lead to death, especially when it is administered with opioids or alcohol. This is an interesting molecule to learn about because between 1999 and 2017, there has been an increase in the number of overdose deaths due to benzodiazepines such as Xanax by 830 percent, only second after overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids or heroin among women between the age of 30 and 64 (VanHouten, et al., 2019). To put this in context, the United States witnessed 10,684 overdose deaths due to benzodiazepines in 2016 compared to 1,135 deaths in 1999 (Cunningham, 2019). Among all drugs in the class of benzodiazepines, Xanax is the most prescribed and has continued to attract most attention globally. Opioids are always prescribed together with benzodiazepines, and opioids cause 75% of all overdose deaths. Researchers claim that in combination of with opioid or alcohol, Xanax causes people to sleep, confused and a feeling of drowsiness (Chowdhury et al., 2016). However, in the face of increased deaths due to benzodiazepines, prescriptions of the drug class is on record high as reported by the American Journal of Public Health report. The 2016 report shows that prescriptions for the drug rose from 8.1 million to 13.5 million from 1996 to 2016, a 67 percent increase (Cunningham, 2019). Understanding the biochemical and chemical properties of Xanax will reveal interesting information regarding its high prescription in the midst of increased deaths in the United States.
Chemistry & Biochemical Background on the Molecule or Class of Molecules
Fig 1. Xanax or Alprazolam (Drawn)
Xanax or Alprazolam is chemically, 8-chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4-H-s-triazolo [4, 3-α] [1, 4] benzodiazepine. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine with a molecular formula C17H13ClN4. Alprazolam is a triazolo analog of the parent compound or class of psychoactive drugs known as 1,4 benzodiazepines. The functional groups of the molecule are methyl-, phenyl-, triazolo-, and chrolo- groups that can take part in any reaction based on the reactants and the conditions available.
How did you learn about this molecule? What is its function?
I first learned about the molecule from the media since it is a commonly abused drug. On April 16, 2019, the New York Times published a story of three men from New Jersey who were charged in Manhattan with setting up a clandestine online shop where they could sell illicit drugs. The trio arrested were said to manage a shop that shipped drugs to online buyers from 43 states, including Washington and Puerto Rico. Among the products the men sold, included counterfeit Xanax tablets, heroin-laced fentanyl, LSD, ketamine methamphetamine, and date-rape drug GHB (Winston, 2019).
Is this molecule in the media? Site articles, advertisements, claims. Marketed?
The molecule is found in several educational websites, news websites, and academic books and journal articles. The American Chemical Society contains important information about the molecule that describes the chemical and physical properties. Journal articles published online contain information how the drug interacts with the body (pharmacodynamics) and how the body metabolized the drug (pharmacokinetics). Content on addiction is also covered widely in these journal articles and the materials provide important information on addiction signs, risks, and treatment. While the drug is not sold to the public through online if one does an Internet search, special portals such as the “Dark” web hosts vendors and users who would be interested to trade or buy the molecule. However, Xanax is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be given to patients upon a physician’s prescription. It is a common treatment for panic disorders and anxiety (American Chemical Society 2014).
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