What Is Orange Xanax?

Orange Xanax is a Schedule IV controlled substance that falls under the benzodiazepine class of prescription drugs. It goes by the generic name alprazolam and can cause serious health complications if abused.

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Dr. Manish Mishra, MBBS

Medically Reviewed By: Manish Mishra, MBBS

on October 10, 2022

Orange Xanax is a brand-name of the antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication alprazolam that has been identified as Xanax 0.5 mg.

Medical advice strongly recommends that all types and colors of Xanax only be taken as directed, since prolonged use alongside other substances can result in potentially life-threatening health complications.

Characteristics Of Orange Xanax Pills

The most obvious characteristic of orange Xanax pills is the color.

These pills differ from Xanax XR, as the lower-strength dosage levels are designed to treat less severe mental health disorders.

Generally classified as alprazolam 0.5 mg, these pills have also coined the street name ‘Peach Xanax’ and are either oval or football-shaped or come in the traditional Xanax bar form.

Dosage

Orange Xanax is widely produced by Pfizer in 0.5 to 2 mg dosage strengths and bears both the Xanax brand name and the milligram strength on the facing of the pill.

Elliptical/Oval Shape

The most common form for orange Xanax pills is elliptical or oval-shaped, which is known colloquially as the ‘football’ shape — making it easy to distinguish.

However, many street producers replicate the pill, which can make it difficult to distinguish from the genuine prescription.

Unless you have received your prescription from a certified healthcare provider, you ought not to accept or ingest any Xanax pill, no matter how legitimate it looks.

Long-Term Side Effects Of Orange Xanax Abuse

The long-term side effects of Orange Xanax abuse are similar to the symptoms which arise from the abuse or misuse of other benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan).

When people use benzodiazepines for extended periods of time, the brain forgets how to manage the distribution of its chemicals and hormones, since it is acclimated to artificial stimulation.

This is because benzodiazepines, like Orange Xanax, activate responses within the brain’s central nervous system (CNS) to inhibit the transmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

This causes drowsiness, inhibited motor function, and serves as a muscle relaxer to prevent tremors, seizures, and other uncontrollable motor functions caused by panic or anxiety attacks.

The more Xanax is used, the less the brain can function on its own without artificial stimuli, which can create dependence on and addiction to the drug.

Side effects of long-term Xanax use include:

  • turbulent behavioral changes, including violent or aggressive behavior
  • liver disease
  • fluctuations between weight loss and weight gain
  • mental health complications, characterized by behavioral changes and suicidal thoughts
  • physical addiction and dependence
  • painful, unpleasant, or potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms

How Orange Xanax Compares With Other Types Of Xanax

The main difference between Orange Xanax and other types of Xanax such as clonazepam (Klonopin) or lorazepam (Ativan) is the dosage strength.

Orange Xanax is most often prescribed as a treatment for moderate health complications, making it one of the less-potent forms of Xanax. It is also generally prescribed in immediate-release form.

Extended-Release Tablets

Extended-release tablets, also called Xanax XR, differ from orange Xanax in that they are designed to slowly release the medication into the body. This design ensures there is less of an ‘upshoot’ and ‘comedown’ associated with its use.

Medication guides recommend extended-release benzodiazepine medications only in situations where it is necessary, as the effects are felt for a longer period of time, and can lead to addiction.

Fake Xanax

Fake prescription medications such as sleeping pills or other opioid painkillers are, unfortunately, extremely prevalent today — fake Xanax pills are no different.

The physical form of the orange Xanax pill — as well its color additives and stamping — is easy to replicate, so it is unsurprising that it is illegally reproduced with substances such as fentanyl.

Higher Dose Xanax

Orange Xanax is usually prescribed in 0.5 or 1 mg doses, making it one of the lower doses of prescription benzodiazepine medication.

Higher-dose Xanax prescriptions, while they can begin at 0.25 mg, can also range up to 3 mg and are taken one to three times per day.

Addiction Treatment Programs For Xanax Abuse

Fortunately, there are many addiction treatment programs and services specifically designed to help treat Xanax abuse.

Some of these treatment services and Xanax addiction recovery programs are:

  • medically supervised detox
  • drug screenings
  • residential treatment programs
  • inpatient and outpatient treatment programs
  • therapy and counseling
  • telehealth services
  • educational and vocational activities
  • preventative care and relapse programs

Find Substance Abuse Treatment Services At Bedrock Recovery Center

If you or a loved one is currently in search of addiction treatment services for a benzodiazepine addiction, call our free helpline today to discuss enrollment at Bedrock.

  1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/benzodiazepine-drug-information#:~:text=Benzodiazepines%20are%20a%20class%20of,premedication%20before%20some%20medical%20procedures.
  2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-warns-about-serious-risks-and-death-when-combining-opioid-pain-or

Written by Bedrock Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Bedrock Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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