Xanax Maker Recalls One Batch of Common Anxiety Drug

A single batch of the widely prescribed antianxiety drug Xanax has been recalled, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The drug’s distributor, Viatris, said it was recalling one lot containing 51 bottles of 3 milligram extended release tablets because of concerns that they might not dissolve in the body as expected. This can affect how much of the drug is released and absorbed over time, making the effects less predictable. The pills were sold nationwide under the brand name Xanax XR.

The company said that the “risk to the patient associated with this event is considered to be negligible,” and that it had not received any reports of adverse events.

The recalled pills were distributed in 60-pill bottles between August 2024 and May 2025, according to Viatris. Bottles of the affected pills are labeled with the lot number 8177156 and have an expiration date of Feb. 28, 2027.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. The drug, which works by calming activity in the brain, is considered highly addictive.

No other doses or batches of Xanax are affected by the recall, the company said. Most patients taking the benzodiazepine in the United States are prescribed a generic version of the drug, alprazolam, which is also not affected by the recall.

A spokesperson for Viatris noted that the recall is directed at pharmacies, which are being asked to take the medication off their shelves. “Patients do not need to take any action,” he added.

If you are taking Xanax XR and are concerned, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Experts generally advise against stopping prescription medication on your own.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

By Simar Bajaj/Hiroko Masuike
c. 2026 The New York Times Company

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