Millions of people worldwide struggle with anxiety disorders. These conditions can really disrupt daily life.

When anxiety gets out of hand, doctors often turn to medications called benzodiazepines. They use these drugs to help patients find some relief from intense symptoms.

Alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) are two of the most widely prescribed benzodiazepines. They calm the brain’s activity, which can ease anxiety and panic.

Both belong to the same drug family, but they don’t work exactly the same way. Alprazolam and diazepam differ in how strong they are and how long their effects last, so doctors choose between them depending on the specific anxiety problem.