Clonazepam and Xanax(alprazolam) are benzodiazepines, they work by increasing the concentration of GABA and treat similar conditions. It's reasonable to question what differentiates them. There are two main differences, peak plasma concentration and dosing. Alprazolam reaches peak plasma concentration at 1-2 hours compared to clonazepam at 1 -4 hours. Alprazolam is also dosed more frequently than clonazepam. Both drugs are anxiolytics which accounts for the similarity in drug indications and both are capable of producing similar withdrawal symptoms.