According to the Food and Drug Administration, a popular anxiety medication might not be safe to use at the moment. Xanax, which is a fast-acting benzodiazepine that calms the nervous system, has been recalled nationwide.
People reported that “3-milligram tablets of Xanax XR, the brand name for the drug alprazolam, sold in 60-tablet bottles were initially recalled by the distributor Viatris on March 17. On Wednesday, April 15, the pills were recalled nationwide.”
The affected batches were prescribed between August 27, 2024 and May 29, 2025. The pills are part of the lot number 8177156 with the expiration date 02/28/2027. At this time, it is unclear how many bottles were in the recalled lot.
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This recall is considered a Class II, which means that “the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” Class I is the most severe, indicating that exposure to a product has a high likelihood of causing adverse side effects of death. Class III is the lowest-risk, which indicates the product violates regulations but is unlikely to cause any harm.
Class II falls in between the two, so if you have been prescribed any pills that have been impacted by the recent recall, then you should stop taking them immediately and safely dispose of them. This is ideally done through drug take-back locations, which are typically available at locations like Walgreens and CVS.
Although there have been no known reports of adverse reactions from the recalled lot, the recall is happening out of an “abundance of caution.”
The batch failed dissolution specifications, which means it was not dissolving at the standard rate. According to the FDA, “the dissolution is the test that checks how well a drug dissolves and releases when placed in a liquid. Failure to meet specifications could mean a less effective medication or incorrect dosage.”
Xanax is one of the most widely distributed medications that is used in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. Although it can be dangerous and addictive when it is misused, it is generally considered safe when it is taken as directed by a doctor.