Xanax does come in the form of a bar, but it’s white. It also comes in a blue pill, but that’s an oval.[1] A blue generic alprazolam bar will be 2 mg strength, while the blue Xanax oval pill is 1 mg strength.
Are Blue Xanax Bars Real?
This question is actually multifaceted. First, Xanax comes in the form of a blue pill. It is a 1 mg pill, but this isn’t in the form of a bar. Instead, this pill is an oval shape.[1] While the lingo used to refer to drugs by everyday people is always evolving, this isn’t what people typically refer to when they discuss blue Xanax bars.
Instead, people who talk about these bars are actually using the term Xanax when referring to a specific type of alprazolam pill. This bar pill isn’t Xanax, which is a brand name, but it’s the same drug. Real versions of these bar pills are numbered B 7 0 7 across the sections of the pill, although we discuss more in our last section how these markings don’t guarantee that a pill is legitimate.[2]
Alprazolam is a controlled substance, and you should only take it as prescribed by a doctor. Typically, extended-release versions of the drug are taken once a day. Other versions are usually taken two to four times a day.[3]
Your doctor may have you take your medication in a way that is different from this usual dosing. In such cases, take it as instructed and consult your doctor if you have any questions.
How Is Blue Xanax Different From Other Types of Xanax?
If discussing the real oval-shaped blue Xanax pill, this type of Xanax is of middling potency, containing 1 mg of alprazolam. Xanax also comes in the form of a white bar pill, which is 2 mg strength, and two smaller pills, a 0.5 mg orange oval pill and a 0.25 mg white oval pill. All these drugs should be taken as prescribed, although higher-potency pills need to be handled with more care.[1]
Importantly, the blue alprazolam bar that many people seem to refer to as blue Xanax is of a different potency than the actual oval-shaped blue Xanax pill. This pill is of 2 mg strength, the same as the white Xanax bar. This makes it fairly strong. It’s twice as strong as an oval-shaped blue Xanax.[2]
All these medications have legitimate uses, but as described in the next few sections, they should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor and acquired from a reputable pharmacy. Taking these drugs recreationally or otherwise in a way different than prescribed can be dangerous.
How Do Blue Xanax Bars Impact the Mind & Body?
Alprazolam can have a variety of effects on the mind and body. When taken as prescribed, it can help to decrease abnormal excitement in the brain. It is commonly used as part of a treatment plan to tackle anxiety disorders and panic disorder.[3]
Alprazolam can cause several unwanted side effects, which are likely to become more severe if the drug is misused. These effects can include the following:[3]
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Talkativeness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry mouth
- Increased salivation
- Changes in sexual drive or ability
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Changes in appetite
- Weight changes
- Difficulty urinating
- Depression
The drug can also cause more serious effects, which should be treated as a medical emergency if noticed. These effects become much more likely if the drug is taken in high doses and include the following:[3]
- Shortness of breath
- Seizure
- Severe skin rash
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Confusion
- Speech difficulties
- Coordination or balance issues
Additionally, benzodiazepines like alprazolam can lead to physical dependence and addiction. A person may struggle to stop using these drugs, especially if they have routinely been abusing them, and may experience withdrawal if they suddenly stop taking them.
Withdrawal can even occur if you only take these drugs as prescribed, which is why you should talk to a doctor about gradually reducing your dose if you want to stop taking alprazolam (including if you want to stop taking Xanax).[4] Never attempt to simply stop taking a benzodiazepine after a period of sustained use. This can be dangerous and even life-threatening.[5]
Are Blue Xanax Bars More Addictive?
Assuming a pill isn’t counterfeit (discussed in the next section), the 2 mg blue alprazolam bar is arguably more addictive than most other forms, but only in the sense that most other pills are of a lower strength. Two 1 mg pills taken together will have the same effect as one 2 mg pill.
When considering how addictive your use of alprazolam is likely to be, focus less on the specific pills being taken and more on the total strength of all pills being taken. The more alprazolam you take, the more intense the effect and the more likely you are to develop physical dependence and addiction.
Dangers of Counterfeit Blue Xanax Bars
One very important detail to discuss regarding any type of alprazolam, but especially Xanax, is that counterfeit pills are a major problem on the black market.[6] If you purchase any type of pill on the black market, there is almost no way to check if a drug is legitimately what was marketed to you without performing some kind of chemical test.
Some signs of counterfeit pills might be obvious, such as a pill being the wrong color or having the wrong markings. For example, no blue bar pill exists that would actually be labeled Xanax. However, getting the small details right isn’t very difficult for a large criminal operation. It’s relatively easy to dye and press pills, so they’re identical to legitimate pills.
Of major concern is that counterfeit pills are often designed to be more powerful and addictive than real pills. They may even contain the opioid fentanyl. Additionally, some pills can use cheap and dangerous cutting agents that may represent health hazards not present in real versions of the pills.
It’s never safe to use a counterfeit version of a prescription drug. When you purchase drugs on the street, it’s likely that you are getting counterfeit pills.
- Xanax pill images. Drugs.com. Accessed February 22, 2024.
- B 7 0 7 Pill – blue rectangle, 15mm. Drugs.com. Accessed February 22, 2024.
- Alprazolam. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Published May 15, 2021. Accessed February 22, 2024.
- Tan KR, Brown M, Labouèbe G, et al. Neural bases for addictive properties of benzodiazepines. Nature. 2010;463(7282):769-774. doi:10.1038/nature08758
- Brett J, Murnion B. Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence. Australian Prescriber. 2015;38(5):152-155.
- Arens AM, van Wijk XMR, Vo KT, Lynch KL, Wu AHB, Smollin CG. Adverse effects from counterfeit alprazolam tablets. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2016;176(10):1554-1555.