Xanax may be legally prescribed, but Xanax bars are also associated with drug slang, misuse, illegal sales, and counterfeiting. Fake pills may contain fentanyl, designer benzodiazepines, or other harmful substances.
Quick Answer: What Are Xanax Bars?
Xanax bars are typically 2 mg rectangular alprazolam tablets, named for their bar-like shape and score lines. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that slows central nervous system activity, producing calming and sedative effects.
Use Xanax only as prescribed. Misuse can cause blackouts, dependence, withdrawal, and overdose. Combining it with alcohol, opioids, or other sedatives increases the risk of life-threatening complications.
You may start taking it because of your anxiety. But after some time, you may find that you can’t function without it. If you try to stop, you may have rebound effects, such as panic attacks.
It is also possible to develop a tolerance. You’ll need to take higher doses to get the same effect. Higher doses can be dangerous and may lead to an accidental overdose.
Guide To Xanax® Bars
The other colors for Xanax® include blue, purple, peach, pink, yellow, and green. Some of these pills may also have different shapes. These colors and shapes have different dosages. They make it easier to distinguish one dosage from another.
Some Xanax® bars are fake. Fake bars can be dangerous as they can be mixed with harmful ingredients. Purple pills are small and round. They contain 2 mg of alprazolam, the same as the white bars. Doctors may recommend that patients cut these pills to take smaller daily doses.
Green Xanax are 2 or 1 mg. Green Xanax that are 3mg, also known as Hulk Xanax, are black market Xanax that should be avoided. Hulk Xanax can be laced with other dangerous substances such as fentanyl.
Yellow Xanax® is 2 or 1 mg and is rectangular with numbers stamped on the front.
Peach Xanax® is usually oval, and the typical dose is 0.5 mg. These pills are often prescribed for those who have never tried Xanax® before. Starting with a low dose and upping it, if necessary, is a safe approach. This dose is also useful for those weaning off the medication.
Blue Xanax® pills are 1 or 2 mg. They are oval or round. A vertical dent in the middle of each pill makes it easy to split.
Pink Xanax® is usually 0.25mg or 0.5mg. The 3mg variation is sold on black market and is common among those who abuse benzos. The higher dose makes it easier to experience a strong feeling of euphoria when abusing the pills.
Red Xanax® bars are always fake. You may see them sold on the street or dark web. They have different effects than Xanax® and can be very dangerous due to their unregulated ingredients and unknown dose.
How To Spot Fake Xanax® Tablets
Real Xanax® will always be etched with its name brand/numbers on the front of the pill. If the pill is blank, it is fake. The Xanax® print on the pill should be 3D. If it isn’t, it’s a fake. If you get a white Xanax® bar that has a strange shade, you should be suspicious. A light peach color or dark gray, the pill may be fake.
You can also test your Xanax® by putting it in water. Real Xanax® will always dissolve within a few minutes. There are also more obvious fakes, such as red Xanax® bars. Taking fake Xanax® is dangerous because it may be mixed with unknown fillers. Common fillers include cat litter, battery acid, rat poison, talcum powder, and other illicit substances like fentanyl.
Fake Xanax® can cause rashes, nausea, vomiting, headaches, heart palpitations, and sweating. More serious interactions include allergic reactions, seizures, and respiratory depression.
Is Xanax® Addictive?
There were 48 million alprazolam prescriptions provided in 2013 in the United States.[2] This makes it one of the most common prescription medications in the country. While most people use Xanax® as prescribed, many will eventually abuse it. Many teenagers and young adults will abuse the drug to experience euphoria.
Those with substance use disorders may be more likely to abuse this drug. It is also sometimes used to enhance the euphoria of other drugs. All benzos have the potential for abuse and addiction. Benzos are Schedule IV drugs, and according to the DEA, they are not as addictive as opioids and similar drugs, but they can still be dangerous.
Snorting or injecting Xanax® will cause a powerful high. This causes feelings of relaxation and happiness. It is followed by a crash or dysphoria, which makes a person feel ill. This spurs the person to abuse more Xanax®. The more a person chases a Xanax® high, the more tangled they will become in their addiction.
Xanax® Side Effects
The most common side effects are drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, and headaches. Some may experience amnesia, irritability, unusual dreams, and hostility.[3] Some people do not develop any side effects. Others may have minor side effects that go away after a week or two.
Some may have serious side effects. These may include slowed heartbeat, slowed breathing, fainting, and seizures. An overdose is also a concern in those who take high doses. This could lead to respiratory depression, hypoxia, brain damage, and death. Always talk to your doctor if you experience long-lasting side effects from Xanax®.
Risks of Long-Term Xanax® Use
You could experience rebound symptoms when you stop taking Xanax®. This could cause increased anxiety and panic attacks. Some may experience mood changes, depression, increased anxiety, and low libido. Others may feel fatigued all the time. Long-term use with moderate or higher doses may also cause liver damage in some people. Snorting Xanax® can cause lung problems.
Xanax® Addiction Treatment
Detox placement is a great place to start overcoming your addiction to Xanax®. It will help you get the drug out of your system in a safe and supportive environment. Partial care and intensive outpatient programs can help those with severe and long-term addictions. They involve many hours of therapy. These include CBT, family, group, art, and individual therapy.
Treatment for co-occurring disorders will help if you have anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Treating your mental health will also help you overcome your addiction. Giving yourself a firm foundation with these programs will give you the strength and wisdom you need to get beyond your addiction.
The Beginning of A New Journey Starts Today
Dependence on Xanax® can be difficult. You may feel that you can’t live a normal life without it. But getting a professional treatment can help you get beyond this problem
FAQs
What are white Xanax bars?
White bars are usually 2mg alprazolam tablets, the highest common strength. They are scored so they can be split into four 0.5mg pieces.
What does a real white Xanax bar say on it?
Brand Xanax 2mg bars are imprinted ‘XANAX 2’, and a common generic carries the imprint ‘G 3722’. Always confirm with a pharmacist or pill identifier because imprints can be faked.
Are there 10mg white Xanax bars?
No. Alprazolam isn’t manufactured as a 10mg bar. A pill sold as a ’10mg Xanax bar’ is a strong sign it is counterfeit.
Can white Xanax bars be fake?
Yes. The DEA warns that pressed bars sold illegally often contain no alprazolam and may contain fentanyl or other potent sedatives, which can be deadly.
How long do Xanax bars last?
The effects of a 2mg dose usually last about 4–6 hours, while alprazolam’s half-life averages around 11 hours.
Is it dangerous to stop taking Xanax bars suddenly?
Yes. After regular use, stopping abruptly can cause severe withdrawal, including seizures. Tapering should be done under medical supervision.
