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Alprazolam (Xanax)
Legal Status
by Erowid
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution :   All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY
Alprazolam
REGULATED
Yes
STATUS
Scheduled
SCHEDULE
Schedule IV
CLASSIFICATION
Depressant
Alprazolam (Xanax) is Schedule IV in the U.S. This means it is illegal to sell without a license and illegal to possess without a valid license or prescription.

INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
Alprazolam is a prescription drug in Australia with special restrictions that move it into the S4 class if the doses are 1 mg or over OR if the prescription can be 'repeated', requiring a special authorization to possess legally. Maximum in-house consumption of alprazolam in Australia is 5 mg per day. (unconfirmed) (thanks SF)
Belgium #
Benzodiazepines (including alprazolam) are prescription drugs in Belgium. We have not been able to find the official listing nor been able to control structure under which violations of the law would be punished. See . (thanks km) (last updated Sep 29 2012)
Benzodiazepines (including alprazolam) are Schedule IV under Canadian law. See http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/page-26.html#h-29. (thanks e) (last updated Jul 30 2012)
Chile #
We received a report that Alprazolam is available by prescription only in Chile. (unconfirmed) (thanks RS) (last updated Aug 24 2010)
Ecuador #
Alprazolam is controlled as a precription-only medicine in Ecuador and prescriptions reportedly have only 72 hour validity. However, we have received reports that Alprazolam is available without prescription in Ecuador. (unconfirmed) (thanks i, RS) (last updated Mar 7, 2013)
France #
We received a report that Alprazolam is available by prescription only in France. (unconfirmed) (thanks M)
Germany (Deutschland) #
Alprazolam is available by prescription only in Germany. It is a schedule 3 C Drug (BtmG). It is available as 0,25 ; 0,5 ; and 1 mg Tablets (which is the highest dosage in Germany which is available). The law specifies that a maximum of 50 dosage units can be sold together and the maximum dosage per unit is 1mg. (thanks J) (last updated Mar 27, 2011)
Hungary #
Alprazolam is available by prescription in Hungary. (unconfirmed) (thanks E) (last updated May 29, 2007)
India #
Alprazolam (brand name Alprax) is sold without prescription in Kashmir at subsidized rates. (unconfirmed) (thanks E)
Mexico #
Although Alprazolam (Xanax) is a Schedule II controlled substance that requires a prescription, multiple visitors have told us that it can be purchased from some pharmacies without prescription. (unconfirmed) (thanks r, T) (last updated May 22, 2013)
Peru #
We received a report that Alprazolam is available without prescription in Peru. (unconfirmed) (thanks RS) (last updated Aug 24 2010)
S. Africa #
Alprazolam (brand name Zopax) is Schedule 5 in South Africa, making it available by prescription only.
Switzerland #
Alprazolam available by prescription only in .25, .5, 1 mg, and 2 mg dose units. (thanks b) (last updated apr 5 2010)
U.K. #
Alprazolam is Schedule 4/Class C in the U.K., making it available by prescription.
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.

CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.