What Are Purple Xanax Bars Used For?

Purple Xanax (alprazolam) is generally prescribed to manage anxiety and panic disorders, but can also be used to reduce epileptic seizures. It is a controlled drug that can be abused.

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Dr. Manish Mishra, MBBS

Medically Reviewed By: Manish Mishra, MBBS

on October 10, 2022

Purple Xanax is a medication primarily used to manage anxiety and panic disorders. It does this by affecting neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS).

However, healthcare providers can also prescribe purple Xanax pills to treat and manage seizures, hyperactivity, and epilepsy.

Xanax is also a sedative and a depressant, which is why it effectively treats panic and anxiety disorders.

It does so by boosting the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a chemical that inhibits hyperactivity, dampens motor function, and lowers excitability levels in the brain.

However, abuse of all types and colors of Xanax can cause damaging effects in both the short and long term.

Why People Use Purple Xanax

People use purple Xanax to treat mental health disorders — such as panic, anxiety, and depression — due to its calming and sedative effects.

However, it can also be used to treat health complications that stem from hyperactive motor function, such as seizures and epilepsy.

Panic Disorder

Alprazolam, one of the benzodiazepine-class medications which are used to treat panic disorders, often is found under the brand name Niravam or Xanax XR.

Purple Xanax treats panic by increasing GABA activity in the brain, which produces a calm and relaxed feeling.

This is particularly helpful for people with anxiety disorders, too, as it helps them remain calm in stressful situations, reducing the potential for experiencing panic attacks.

Anxiety Disorder

In the same way that other benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan) calm people with panic disorders, purple Xanax can help relax people with anxiety.

The same inhibitory chemical, GABA, reduces activity in the part of the CNS which controls hyperactivity and paranoia, both of which are symptoms exacerbated by anxiety disorders.

Epilepsy

Purple Xanax has shown efficacy in clinical trials, specifically in lower doses than those prescribed for anxiety or panic, for treating intermittent seizures and epilepsy.

It achieves this by boosting the inhibitory amino acid that regulates motor function, thereby lowering hyperactivity and reducing the risk of experiencing seizures.

What Are The Side Effects Of Purple Xanax?

Purple Xanax or other types of alprazolam pills, specifically higher-dosage medications that come in the form of extended-release tablets, can have some potentially life-threatening side effects.

However, the majority of people who follow the advice of medical professionals on how often to take their prescription will not experience the more serious side effects.

The side effects of Xanax abuse may include:

  • slurred speech
  • impaired cognitive function
  • memory loss
  • confusion
  • paranoia
  • loss of appetite
  • headaches
  • sleeplessness
  • drowsiness

How People Abuse Purple Xanax

People can misuse or abuse purple Xanax by taking it more frequently than recommended, or more than it’s needed — or they can get a prescription from their doctor by misleading them.

However, people legitimately prescribed Xanax can also abuse it by using it to get high or to treat mental health disorders that it is not designed to effectively treat.

The drug can be swallowed, crushed into powder and snorted, or even mixed with drinks in order to abuse it.

Health Risks Of Purple Xanax Abuse

There are many health risks associated with Xanax abuse that can range from increased severity of pre-existing mental health disorders, up to liver disease and potential overdose.

Some of the health risks associated with Xanax substance abuse include:

  • physical dependence
  • addiction
  • Xanax overdose
  • memory loss
  • liver disease
  • severe withdrawal symptoms
  • respiratory depression and other breathing problems
  • confusion about identity, circumstance, and location
  • paranoia
  • decreased responsiveness

Some people prescribed higher doses of Xanax than necessary that also have pre-existing eye conditions, such as glaucoma, may experience worsening symptoms.

Additionally, fake Xanax, which is occasionally cut with fentanyl or other opioid substances, can result in overwhelmingly-onset drug overdose due to the dangerous interactive properties of the substance.

Treatment Programs For Xanax Addiction

Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options that exist to treat Xanax addiction, ranging from telehealth services to counseling groups and medically-assisted detox.

Addiction treatment programs, services, and methods for Xanax abuse include:

  • inpatient and outpatient treatment
  • residential treatment
  • drug screenings
  • behavioral therapy
  • general counseling and therapy programs
  • educational and vocational services
  • detox
  • medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

Find Substance Use Treatment Services At Bedrock Recovery Center

If you or a loved one is searching for addiction treatment for a substance use disorder, give our free helpline a call today to discuss enrollment at Bedrock Recovery Center.

  1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/018276s055lbl.pdf
  2. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html

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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