The short answer, between 2 days and 2 weeks. For a more detailed answer read on.

Xanax, also known as Alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, convulsions and depression. It is also used as a muscle relaxant.

How long Xanax stays in your system depends on your dosage, weight, age and your body’s ability to metabolize the drug. Generally, it remains detectable in your body for 2 days to 2 weeks after ingestion. It will be detected in a drug test as long as a week after consumption. If you are elderly, the clearance time will be longer. Your liver is primarily responsible for metabolizing Xanax, so if you have any impaired liver function, you probably shouldn’t be taking this drug without the advice of a physician, but nonetheless, your degree of liver functioning will affect how long this drug stays in your system.

This drug’s clearance time can be delayed when taken with other medications such as some anti fungals, antibiotics, and SSRI antidepressants.  Xanax can also have a synergistic effect, meaning the two (or more) drugs taken together will increase or prolong each others’ effect; when taken with alcohol, imipramine and desipramine.

When taken by pregnant women, Xanax can affect the developing fetus. Babies can develop withdrawal symptoms after birth if exposed to Xanax prenatally. It is also excreted in breastmilk and can cause lethargy and delayed growth in breastfeeding infants.