Is Blue Xanax Different Than Regular Xanax?

Blue-colored Xanax is not actually Xanax.

It is alprazolam, a generic form of the drug that has the same effects as Xanax, a powerful benzodiazepine drug approved for use by the FDA to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and panic disorders.

Blue Xanax is similar to other drugs such as Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam).

All benzodiazepines, including the various types of Xanax, affect the central nervous system and GABA receptors in the brain to produce a calming effect, and they can all be abused, especially at high doses.

How Blue Xanax Is Different From Other Types Of Xanax

Blue Xanax is usually a generic form of alprazolam, with the same effects as Xanax. Several different pharmaceutical companies produce alprazolam pills.

There are a few characteristics which make blue Xanax different from the brand name version of the prescription drug.

Dosage

Blue Xanax pills can be elliptical or oval-shaped and contain 1 mg of alprazolam. Alternatively, a bar-shaped pill of blue Xanax might contain 2 mg of alprazolam.

The standard starting dose for alprazolam is .25 mg when it is being used to treat anxiety. Xanax 0.25 mg doses might be bumped up .25mg at a time as someone’s tolerance to the drug increases.

Eventually, the medication could be prescribed 1 or 2 mg.

Color And Shape

Blue Xanax can be light blue or pasty blue. The 1 mg pills tend to come in an elliptical or oval “blue football” shape, while “bars” of 2 mg blue Xanax will look like a small rectangle.

Weight

Blue Xanax pills will weigh more than the included dose of alprazolam. Filling agents like sugar and coloring additives usually weigh a lot more than the included dose of alprazolam.

Weighing Xanax pills is not a reliable way of trying to figure out how much alprazolam they contain.

Is Blue Xanax Stronger Than Regular Xanax?

The largest allowed daily dose of Xanax is 4 mg, spread out over three doses. Since the starting dose for Xanax is .25 mg, a 1 mg or 2 mg dose is quite large.

People who are using Xanax to get high might seek blue Xanax pills because they contain a relatively high dose.

Side Effects Of Blue Xanax

The side effects of blue Xanax are the same as any pill containing alprazolam.

Common side effects of blue Xanax include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• upset stomach
• dry mouth
• blurred vision
• trouble concentrating
• slurred speech

Most of the side effects of Xanax abuse are not life-threatening. Still, taking Xanax without medical advice is dangerous and overdose can occur.

Risks Of Blue Xanax Abuse

Xanax abuse can quickly turn into an addiction. Because Xanax has a high potential for addiction, it is listed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a controlled substance.

Still, Xanax is prescribed millions of times per year, and it is relatively easy to get for people who have become addicted to the drug.

Long-term risks of Xanax abuse include:

• memory problems
• liver disease
• depression
• worsened anxiety
• suicidal thoughts
• Xanax withdrawal, if the person stops taking the drug
• decreased sex drive
• social isolation
• chest pain and respiratory infections

How To Tell The Difference Between Blue Xanax And Fake Xanax

Although there are alprazolam pills made by pharmaceutical companies that are blue, there is also fake Xanax on the black market.

Fake Xanax is even more dangerous than abusing real Xanax, because you don’t know what’s in the pill. There could be adulterants like the deadly opioid, fentanyl.

Blue Xanax should have letters and numbers printed on it if it came from a real manufacturer. If you get a blue Xanax pill without any letters or numbers on it, it is probably fake.

Of course, some makers of fake Xanax go above and beyond to make their pills look realistic, including the imprinted letters and numbers.

The best way to avoid fake Xanax is to never buy alprazolam pills on the black market.

Treatment Programs For Xanax Addiction

Xanax addiction is serious and can lead to devastating side effects and even fatal overdose.

Treatment programs for Xanax addiction are the only viable option to address drug abuse.

Xanax treatment programs usually start with detox, where healthcare providers give around-the-clock medical supervision to people as they undergo Xanax withdrawal symptoms.

After detox, inpatient treatment is often recommended.

Find Substance Abuse Treatment At Bedrock Recovery Center

Bedrock Recovery Center is a premier inpatient detox and addiction treatment facility located just outside of Boston in Canton, MA.

Bedrock offers treatment programs for people facing drug and alcohol abuse. We use evidence-based treatment approaches to optimize our clients’ chances of recovery.

If you or a loved one is battling Xanax abuse, now is the time to act. Call our helpline today to learn more about our treatment programs.