Benzodiazepines have been used for around 20 years as means for treating anxiety; Valium is one of the best known. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine which has recently received a lot of attention from researchers into panic attacks. Its biggest advantage over the other two types of treatment is that it is fast-acting. Improvements can be felt within the first week or two of treatment. It also reduces the anticipatory anxiety, which the other types of drugs can’t do.

However, because the drug is metabolized quickly, it means that you have to take more than just one dose each day. It doesn’t appear to have as many side effects as the others: feeling drowsy is the main one while it is being taken, although long-term use can lead to cognitive problems (ability to think) and benzodiazepines can be potentially dangerous for elderly people.