FDA recalls popular anxiety med: Here’s what’s affected

WASHINGTON — Bottles of a popular anxiety medication are under recall nationwide for failing to meet dissolution requirements, the Food and Drug Administration said.

In a recall notice on April 8, pharmaceutical company Viatris Specialty LLC. recalled one lot of Xanax XR bottles for failing to meet dissolution specifications. According to the FDA guidance, 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. 

The recall was classified as a Class II, meaning temporary adverse health consequences are possible. 

Viatris first initiated the recall on Mar. 17. It’s unclear how many bottles are included in the recalled lot. 

Xanax XR, also known by its generic name alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine prescribed to treat panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults. Alprazolam is one of the most widely prescribed benzodiazepines in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health. 

According to the California State Board of Pharmacy, the recall was done “out of an abundance of caution” after testing produced dissolution results outside the specifications needed. There have been no reports of adverse reactions in relation to the recall. 

The recalled bottles are from Lot #8177156, with an expiration date of Feb. 28, 2027, according to the FDA notice. 

The Xanax XR bottles impacted are the extended-release tablets, which are available through prescription only. It impacts the 3 mg 60-tablet bottles. 

According to the California State Board of Pharmacy, the lot was distributed in the U.S. between Aug. 27, 2024 and May 29, 2025.