Identifying Real vs Counterfeit Xanax Pills and the Potential Risks

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Some people take Xanax recreationally, using it to relax at parties or in social situations, while others seek it out for anxiety relief and get it from their doctor or psychiatrist.

This resource is aimed at recreational Xanax consumers, since, unfortunately, when you buy a Xanax pill from the streets, there’s a high risk of buying counterfeit medications that mimic its effects.

In many cases a fake Xanax pill even contains dangerous ingredients that are not the drug you are expecting and can have very adverse effects, even causing overdose in some cases.

The best way to protect yourself is knowing how to spot fake Xanax. Things like the color, stamp on the medication, weight, and texture all give you clues about whether the pills are authentic.

In our guide to this crucial topic, we’ll take a closer look at what fake pills look like, the potential dangers, and when to seek medical treatment.

We’ll also talk about treating undiagnosed anxiety and when to reach out to South Shores Recovery for help with mental health, dual diagnosis, and Xanax abuse, dependence, or addiction.

What Does Fake Xanax Look Like?

It can be hard for the untrained eye to know how to spot fake Xanax. Illegal manufacturers of the drug most often try to pass off counterfeit pills for the real deal.

They may use pill presses, stamps for numbers and letters, and similar color powders to mimic the appearance of authentic Xanax.

Weight

Counterfeit Xanax can look like the real deal, but it weighs more than the average fake pill. A real Xanax pill weighs 0.5 grams and feels heavier.

Often, the weight difference will be so minuscule that you’ll need to use a scale. Many people do not have this handy, but some of these other methods can help determine if you have a fake Xanax.

Texture When Crushed

Crushing an authentic Xanax pill takes a significant amount of pressure. You shouldn’t be able to crush it with just your fingers against a flat surface.

The coating on the outside of the pill is also harder to break apart, a mechanism to prevent misuse.

Rather than breaking into pieces, fake Xanax often crumbles or shatters because it is made of a finer powder. It can also leave behind a chalky residue on your fingers from whatever substances are used to cut the active ingredients.

Color of the Coating

Xanax comes in several colors including white, yellow, blue, green, pink, and red. So many colors can make it hard to tell if you have an authentic pill, but comparing the color of the pill to its coating can help you spot fake Xanax bars.

Most commonly, counterfeit Xanax has a powdery, dark gray coating. This coating makes fake pills look darker on the outside.

By contrast, authentic Xanax pills have a transparent coating that looks white or peach. While not transparent, it mimics the color of the inside of the pill. If the coating does not match the inside of the pill, you likely have fake Xanax.

Logo and Font

The stamped “XANAX” on a pill has a three-dimensional appearance and should be written in all capital letters. When the XANAX stamp looks flat, it’s a good indication of counterfeit pills.

The logo should be smooth, without any bumps, jagged edges, or missing letters. It should have a gradient appearance, going from dark to light, and the letter “X” should be slightly bigger than other letters in the logo.

There are also pharmaceutical markings on the inside of the pill. You have to cut the Xanax bar open to see these markings, making them hard for illicit drug manufacturers to fake.

Some also won’t go to the trouble of faking these markings, since many of their customers do not know how to determine if a pill is authentic.

Reaction to Water

Another way to spot fake Xanax pills is to place them in water. Genuine Xanax pills start dissolving immediately and eventually dissolve in water completely. If a pill only partially dissolves, it likely only contains a small amount of water-soluble alprazolam.

What Does Authentic Xanax Look Like?

While Xanax comes in different colors, authentic pills will be a consistent color on the inside and outside. They are diamond-shaped with a stamp on one side of the pill and have a smooth, oily coating on the outside. Authentic Xanax does not have any other markings.

True prescription medication also comes in a pill bottle from the pharmacy. While pill bottles vary slightly, they shouldn’t have odd dimensions or unusual labels. Illicit drugs are rarely sold in the same bottles you would get from the pharmacy.

What Does Xanax Do?

Xanax is the brand name of the medication alprazolam. As a benzodiazepine, it has relaxing effects and is prescribed to treat anxiety including everything from generalized anxiety disorder to panic disorder.

Xanax increases the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, decreasing brain activity and inducing a state of relaxation. The way it helps people relax is one of the reasons it’s used as a party drug.

What is in Counterfeit Xanax Pills?

Counterfeit prescription drugs often contain ingredients that mimic the effects of the prescription medications that they are being passed off as.

It’s not uncommon for counterfeit alprazolam to contain some amount of Xanax or another benzodiazepine and then be cut with something else.

This means that when you encounter fake Xanax, it’s nearly impossible to know what is in the pills without testing them. Some pills contain benzos, antihistamines, opioids, and other substances.

One report showed the presence of bromazolam and protonitazene, a newer benzo and a powerful opioid. These fake Xanax pills were related to deaths in Queensland.

Another common additive to counterfeit Xanax is etizolam. This is a central nervous system depressant. While some countries use it to treat insomnia or anxiety, it is not approved for use in the US medical system.

Counterfeit tablets can also contain dangerous chemicals and other drugs, including opioids.

One study from the DEA showed that 6 out of 10 counterfeit prescriptions contained a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Less harmful substances added to mimic the powdery texture of Xanax include chalk, baking soda, aspirin, condensed milk, and other powdered ingredients. It’s not uncommon for fructose and dextrose to be used to mimic the coating of real Xanax pills.

How Do Counterfeit Pills Get on the Streets?

Illicit drug dealers and manufacturers prioritize making money above all else. It’s not uncommon for several powdered substances to be mixed and pressed in a way similar to the pharmaceutical markings found on a real Xanax bar. This can be done in at-home operations or laboratories, inside and outside of the United States.

Many drug dealers purchase black-market Xanax to distribute, marking up the price for profit and unaware of what is inside these pills. They are then sold illegally on the street.

Are Fake Xanax Pills Dangerous?

Any kind of designer or counterfeit drugs have the potential to be dangerous. They may contain powerful benzos or opioids. Since they are not regulated like pure alprazolam, it’s also impossible to know the dosage strength you are getting.

Some dangerous symptoms that may require medical attention include:

Excessive sweating or becoming flushed
Extremely itchy skin
Dry mouth
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach cramps
Constricting pupils
Fainting

Long-term use also has health risks including increased risk of infection and liver problems, with pills often containing ingredients unfit for human consumption including chemicals and other dangerous substances.

What Should I Do if I Took Fake Xanax?

Taking fake Xanax does not always cause life-threatening complications, but there is a serious risk. Allergic reactions or overdose both require immediate medical attention to avoid death.

Signs of an overdose include slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, extreme fatigue, and loss of consciousness.

Unfortunately, with the increase of fentanyl in tested street drugs, the risk of fatal overdose is higher than ever. Medical attention aside, when you continue to use counterfeit drugs without a prescription, regardless of the consequences, it may be time to consider Xanax detox and addiction treatment.

Get Help for Xanax Dependence

Even when you are taking fake Xanax, it’s possible to develop a mental and physical dependence on these dangerous drugs. This means that if you use it for an extended time and suddenly stop, there’s a chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms from alprazolam and other drugs in the benzodiazepine group include:

Headaches
Sweating
Tremors and muscle spasms
Heart palpitations
Sweating
Anxiety and panic attacks
Muscle pain
Seizures

We offer medical detox as part of addiction treatment at South Shores. During medical detox, you’ll have a safe, supportive environment to go through some of the worst withdrawal symptoms.

You’ll also have 24/7 medical supervision and may be prescribed medication to manage these symptoms, as benzo withdrawal can be dangerous.

Treat Undiagnosed Anxiety or Trauma

For some people obtaining Xanax bars illegally, the pill is a way to manage anxiety or panic disorders, unresolved trauma, or PTSD. Unfortunately, even Xanax bought from illegal drug dealers to resolve these problems has the potential to be a counterfeit pill.

The safer route is to seek treatment for these underlying problems. While your doctor may not recommend taking Xanax if you have a history of use, other medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms. Therapy may also be recommended to overcome the thought patterns and events that cause anxiety or PTSD symptoms.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Anxiety and Substance Abuse

In cases where Xanax dependence is caused by unresolved trauma or untreated anxiety, one of the best ways to combat drug addiction is to treat that underlying disorder. Without treating what caused Xanax dependence in the first place, it’s impossible to expect lasting sobriety.

At South Shores, we offer dual diagnosis care and intense support across all our programs. By treating co-occurring anxiety disorders, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders, we set our clients up for long-term success.

During inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs, you’ll begin to understand how addiction has impacted your life and why you turned to taking Xanax for relief.

You’ll be provided with coping mechanisms and tools for overcoming the underlying issues that made benzos so attractive and helpful when you first began taking them.

Get Help Overcoming Xanax Addiction at South Shores

Being able to identify fake Xanax pills of all kinds is important if you (or someone you care about) are buying this drug online or from ‘street’ sources.

There’s a very high risk of adverse effects, especially because it’s hard to tell whether you have real Xanax or fake drugs, potentially laced with high doses of benzos, opioids like fentanyl, and other harmful substances.

When you are ready to stop worrying about the dangers of fake Xanax, as well as put your dependency and anxiety in the past, we are here.

At South Shores, our caring team understands the importance of treating both your substance use disorder and the underlying condition that led to Xanax.

Please seize the opportunity and make the confidential call for help today!

Knowing How to Spot Fake Xanax