In recent years, the number of counterfeit prescription drugs has radically increased. As it becomes more difficult to get popular prescription meds from doctors, recreational users have turned to the streets or online sources to get them.
Here’s the problem: Not all of the drugs on offer, however, are real. In fact, according to then Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials, if a drug is not coming from the pharmacy or it was not prescribed by a doctor then it’s highly likely that it’s counterfeit.
Xanax is one of the most popular drugs that is being counterfeited. Also known as Xans, Xannies, or the brand name of alprazolam, it’s a prescription medication that belongs in the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It’s prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Some use it for recreational purposes while others take it to calm down in stressful situations.
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Alprazolam comes in different colors and shapes. One variety that is often counterfeited is the yellow alprazolam bar by Actavis Pharma. This drug is often called in the streets as “yellow Xanax bar” or “school bus Xanax” due to the pill resembling a yellow school bus.
So how do you know if you got cheated into buying fake yellow Xanax bars? Are there obvious signs that can point to a drug being fake?
Use this guide and learn how to identify the authenticity of your drugs.
1) Compare it to the original bar
The first step is knowing what the authentic yellow alprazolam bar looks like. What is known as the yellow Xanax bar is a 2mg bar-like pill that has three lines – dividing the bar into 4 sections. It has an imprint that shows R039 on the surface with each character printed on one section. It does not have the XANAX imprint because it is not made by Xanax.
If the pill that you have does not look like this or has the wrong imprint, there is a high probability that it is fake.
2) Inconsistent colors
If you are sold a bunch of pills, take a look at the color of the different pills. If you find that some pills are lighter or darker than the others, you need to be wary. Authentic pills will have the same color.
3) Imperfections
Another way to spot a fake yellow Xanax bar is by looking for any imperfections on the surface of the pill. Is the imprint faded or barely distinguishable? Are there any extra markings that are not supposed to be there? These are signs that the pill is fake.
4) Rough edges and uneven appearance
Most counterfeits are made in an unsanitary environment, which is why they often appear lopsided or uneven. The edges will also be rough instead of smooth and flawless. Take a good look at the pill and check whether the lines are straight or the sides of the pill itself are even.
6) Very low price
The saying “if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is” applies to fake drugs as well. You might think that you are getting a steal of a deal because the pills you bought look and feel like the original ones you used to get from the pharmacy but if the price seems significantly lower than usual then there’s a likely chance the yellow Xanax bar is counterfeit.
The Dangers of Taking Fake Yellow Xanax
If you notice that the pills are not the same as the original yellow alprazolam bar, the seller might convince you that the reason is that it’s a generic version. Don’t fall for this excuse. As authorities warned, unless you’re getting the drug from a pharmacy or your doctor, the chances of the pills being fake is very high. You might be wondering: Is there really a danger to getting fake yellow Xanax bars? The answer is YES. Authorities have discovered that many of these counterfeit pills contain the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. Fentanyl is an opioid that’s 50 times more powerful than heroin. It can lead to serious toxicity, cardiac arrest, or even death.
The alarming thing about fake yellow Xanax bars is that if the fake pill is produced in a sophisticated manner, it will be almost impossible to tell the difference. You will not really know what’s in that pill and if it contains the deadly fentanyl substance until it’s too late. It’s like taking a gamble on your own life every time you take a suspicious pill.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
