Xanax does come in the form of a white bar, although one needs to be wary of any pill purchased on the black market as counterfeit pills are very common. A legitimate Xanax pill of this kind will contain 2 mg of alprazolam, which is a relatively high dose but has legitimate medicinal uses.
Because alprazolam can be addictive, these pills should only ever be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
White Xanax bars are real. Xanax comes in several forms, including a bar-shaped pill that is split into four sections. This particular pill is labeled “XANAX” on one side and “2” on the other. The “2” represents its strength. White Xanax bars contain 2 mg of alprazolam.[1]
Discussed in more detail in the final section, it’s important to note that none of these details mean a specific pill is definitely real. Counterfeit pills are quite common on the black market. Just because a pill looks like a white Xanax bar doesn’t mean it actually is. Typically, you can only safely assume a pill is real if it was obtained from a reputable pharmacy.
White Xanax bars are the highest strength Xanax available, containing 2 mg of alprazolam. There is a smaller oval-shaped Xanax that is also white and contains 0.25 mg of alprazolam. This second kind of white Xanax is the lowest strength Xanax comes in.[1]
Two other types of Xanax exist as well. There is a blue oval-shaped Xanax that contains 1 mg of alprazolam. Finally, there is an orange oval-shaped pill that contains 0.5 mg of alprazolam.[1]
It’s also worth mentioning that Xanax is a brand name. Other alprazolam medications are available in similar dosages, with the colors and shapes of pills potentially varying. One of the most well-known examples is a bar-shaped blue pill. This 2 mg strength pill is commonly referred to as blue Xanax on the street, despite not actually being of that brand.
The only thing relatively unique about white Xanax bars is their strength. Otherwise, these pills will only affect a user the way alprazolam, the active ingredient in Xanax, generally would. If you took an equivalent dose of different alprazolam pills (such as two 1 mg Xanax), the effect would be more or less identical to taking one of these white bars.
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine. By decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain, this class of drug can be used to help treat anxiety and panic disorders.
Alprazolam is associated with the following side effects:[2]
Changes in appetite
Changes in sex drive or ability
Constipation
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty urinating
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Headache
Increased salivation
Irritability
Joint pain
Lightheadedness
Nausea
Talkativeness
Tiredness
Weight changes
These side effects can be worse if one misuses the medication. In some cases, the side effects from using alprazolam can be severe enough to be considered a medical emergency. If a user experiences any of the following symptoms, call 911:[2]
Confusion
Problems with coordination or balance
Problems with speech
Seizures
Severe skin rash
Shortness of breath
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Counterfeit or illegally produced bars of Xanax are the primary risk for anyone seeking white Xanax bars outside of a pharmacy. These bars are known as “pressies” and they aren’t produced in safe or controlled environments. They’re made in illicit spaces that can lead to serious, potentially fatal changes to the drug’s makeup.
Pressies don’t typically contain alprazolam as advertised. They’re typically filled with dangerous synthetic drugs and fillers and may even contain opioids. Pressies can be laced with lethal amounts of fentanyl and are especially dangerous.
An increasing concern is how similar these counterfeit substances are to the real thing. Drug traffickers use a machine called a pill press to press Xanax into pills. They can also use special tools, including punches and dies, to imprint the pills with unique logos and markings. As a result, the pills look deceivingly like actual prescription medication.
“Mexican Xanax” is a type of Xanax that’s often sold illegally. Known by the brand name Farmapram, it’s a legitimate drug in Mexico but it isn’t approved or inspected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means there’s a high potential for counterfeit sales and misuse. These pills could contain unknown ingredients and come with serious health risks.
It’s important to know how to spot a pressie to ensure the Xanax you’re taking is legitimate. Signs of a fake Xanax bar include uneven scoring, a chalky texture or a strong chemical odor.
Some of the street names that you might hear when discussing Xanax include:
Sticks
Planks
Totem Poles
Barz
White Boys
All of these terms are slang for Xanax but they differ slightly in their definition. Sticks, Planks, Totem Poles and Bars describe the standard 2mg, rectangular and bar-shaped pills. White Boys refers to 2mg white alprazolam bars.
It’s important to know the correct terminology for Xanax . Street slang is often used to mask the presence of certain chemicals, like etizolam and fluoralprazolam which are added to “designer” benzodiazepines. These give Xanax a higher potency and increase overdose risk.
Did you just find questionable white bars in your loved one’s possession? We understand that this discovery can be unnerving and we’re here to help.
Helping a loved one with Xanax addiction starts with taking a calm, measured approach. You may begin with a non-judgmental intervention to help the individual come to terms with their drug use and understand its effects on their friends and family members. You can also use this time to discuss harm reduction strategies, such as how to obtain Xanax safely through a doctor’s prescription and how to avoid harmful interactions with other depressant drugs, including alcohol.
If they’re willing to seek help, you can help them find a professional detox center that offers 24-hour care and medical supervision throughout every phase of the withdrawal process. This step is especially important with benzo withdrawal which can lead to serious and even life-threatening symptoms, including an increased risk of seizures.
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs associated with causing physical dependence and with significant abuse and addiction potential if misused. For this reason, these drugs have legitimate medical uses but should only ever be used as prescribed. If a person struggles to use them as prescribed, addiction treatment is likely warranted.
Beyond the strength of a white bar of Xanax, nothing makes it uniquely addictive. However, these bars are the strongest type of Xanax available. They’re two times as strong as the next highest strength Xanax.
It should also be said that not everything about alprazolam is understood. While we know it causes dependence and can lead to addiction, the actual neural basis for what can lead one to become addicted isn’t known. Research has suggested, however, that the drug’s addictive nature is likely linked to benzodiazepines causing an increased firing of dopamine neurons and a variety of related effects.[3]
When acquired from a reputable pharmacy, a white Xanax bar actually is Xanax. However, many pills purchased on the black market that look legitimate are actually counterfeit.
Illegal drug distributors can print and dye a pill more or less any way they want. Because their business is already illegal, there’s no real reason they shouldn’t try to mimic whatever shape and color they think customers are looking for. If white Xanax bars are in demand, they may sell pills that are white and labeled “XANAX” regardless of who produced the pill or what it actually contains.
Counterfeit pills are often cut with substances to make them more profitable. These agents may make a pill more toxic, or it may just contain inert, useless materials that reduce the drug’s potency.
Counterfeit drugs can also be laced with powerful opioids like fentanyl, which criminals often use because it is cheap and causes a potent high, while also making a drug more addictive. Plenty of people have purchased white Xanax bars on the street, only to later overdose because the drug didn’t actually contain what it was purported to be.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with Xanax misuse, help is available. Our compassionate team is here to guide you toward recovery and a healthier life. Reach out today to explore your treatment options.
