Experts have warned of a spike in the number of sudden or accidental deaths involving the anti-depressant Xanax.
Figures show a jump in deaths linked to the drug Alprazolam, from three in 1997 to 86 in 2012.
Xanax is the trade name for Alprazolam, a commonly prescribed drug used to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and panic.
The drug is thought to have played a part in the accidental deaths of several celebrities, including singer Whitney Houston and Australian actor Heath Ledger.
But researchers estimate as many as 250 Australians a year could be accidentally dying as a result of combining Xanax with other drugs and alcohol.
Many of those dying are chronic pain sufferers who take the highly addictive drug in combination with strong pain medications.
And experts are warning more and more Australians are taking Xanax, especially at the highest dose of 2 milligrams.
The number of scripts written for the drug have jumped from more than 130,000 in 2007 to more than 200,000 scripts in 2011.
Researchers at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales looked at all sudden deaths involving the drug Alprazolam.
NDARC researcher Professor Shane Darke said most users taking prescription medications for chronic pain were combining Xanax, with alcohol and opioid medication such as Oxycodone.
Opioid medications suppress breathing, and when taken in combination with Xanax and alcohol users are at risk from accidental death or overdose.
“Imagine you are a 50-year-old with chronic pain, you are off work, depressed and anxious, taking Xanax, pain killers and drinking alcohol,” Professor Darke said.
“When you put these drugs in combination, your risk of death is substantially higher.
“Pain patients need to realise what they are taking is a potentially lethal combination.”
Xanax belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, central nervous system depressants which work by enhancing the effect of a particular neurotransmitter.
It works quickly, with most patients experiencing effects within 20 minutes of taking it.
Experts warn misuse of the drug is widespread
Professor Darke says the misuse of Xanax is occurring across Australia.
The drug is only supposed to be used for a short time but some patients often end up taking it for longer periods.
Angela Rintoul from Monash University has found the use of Alprazolam is widespread and a major factor in heroin-related deaths.
In February 2014, the Therapeutic Goods Administration tightened restrictions on the use of Alprazolam by rescheduling it as a Schedule 8 or a controlled drug.
Professor Darke believes the change will reduce the number of accidental deaths.
Since the rescheduling, Pfizer which makes Xanax, announced it will no longer supply the drug in Australia but the generic version Alprazolam is still available with the tighter restrictions.
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