Xanax is an antianxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family. This is the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. Xanax works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in October 1981.
Benzodiazepines act on the brain and central nervous system (CNS) to produce a calming effect. Xanax slows down the movement of brain chemicals that may have become unbalanced, resulting in a reduction in nervous tension and anxiety. Xanax works by boosting the effects of a natural chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is made in the brain.
The proliferation of fake Xanax in recent times is endangering public health and safety. Fake Xanax in the United States and most other countries contain fentanyl a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent or in some cases, etizolam.
In Canada, in addition to the two deadly substances listed above, authorities are also reporting the presence of a new substance known as Adinazolam. The drug was first developed to enhance the antidepressant effects of alprazolam. It has never been approved by the FDA for clinical use.
According to Canadian health authorities “Adinazolam is not a legally prescribed benzodiazepine and very little is known about its safety,” commented Dr. Jennifer Loo, associate medical officer of Health at Algoma Public Health. Adinazolam overdose can lead to muscle weakness, diminished reflexes, confusion, and coma. As with any counterfeit medicine, the dose of the drug in each tablet may be highly variable and that makes it hard to avoid taking too much in error. In Scotland, unlicensed benzodiazepines were involved in 85 percent of 792 deaths in 2018 where this type of drug was implicated.
How to Avoid Fake Canadian Xanax
Recently 20,000 pills of fake Xanax worth two million dollars was seized in Montreal the largest city in Canada’s Québec province following the arrest of eight suspects — including 27-year-old Georges Sarakinis, the alleged head of the network. While manufacturers of fake drugs may produce them to look just like the real ones, there are certain nuances that give them away. Here are proven ways to avoid purchasing a counterfeit Xanax:
Know your Drug. Do you know how a genuine Xanax medication looks like? This is the first step in avoiding a counterfeit medication – Visual inspection. When you receive your medication, pay attention to the physical details – the appearance of the drug, the packaging, and the instructions about its usage. Here are things to look out for when inspecting the drug.
Examine the package and check for any defects in its appearance. Is the lettering difficult to read? Are the prints flat rather than raised? Are the expiry dates missing? Is the batch number missing? Are there spelling errors? Are the manufacturer’s address and contact details missing? Are the manufacturer’s license and registration numbers missing? A positive response to these questions are clues that the medication may be fake.
Check for the security seal of the package. Drugs whose package seals have been broken or tampered with are more likely to be counterfeit.
Check for the drug’s registration number. A Xanax with no registration number of the appropriate drug agency (Drug Identification Number ( DIN ) is a computer-generated eight-digit number assigned by Health Canada to a drug product prior to being marketed in Canada.) is likely to be fake. Also, if this number is present but not clearly printed, it may be fake.
Check the appearance of the Xanax. Do not overlook unusual crystals on the wall of the containing bottle or on the tablet. These may be signs that the medication is counterfeit. Also, if the drug looks crushed, broken, or abraded, it may be fake. Furthermore, if you notice an abnormal discoloration on the tablet, this may also suggest foul play. Fake Xanax also has abnormal softening, hardening, or swelling.
Price of Xanax. The price may also be a sign that the Xanax is fake. If you come across an unusually cheap brand of Xanax or a medication you use, the brand may be fake. Although some fake drugs may cost as much or even more than genuine ones.
Buy from a Reputable Pharmacy. Chances are slim that you will be given a counterfeit drug from a reputable pharmacy. Avoid buying your medications from unregistered drug stores or open markets. The chances are very high that you will purchase a fake drug from these dealers. This is because these sources are unregulated and unsupervised, therefore, can easily partake in the fake drug business.
Online pharmacy stores are not exempted from this scrutiny. Ensure you order drugs from approved online pharmacies. Approved online pharmacy sites carry standard seals, such as the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) for online drug stores.
Report any Suspicious Drugs
If your drug tastes differently from previous ones you have used or if you develop unusual side effects such as allergic reactions, the drug may be counterfeit. If you have these concerns, discontinue the drug and report to your healthcare provider and contact your local drug control agency.
Drugs are designed to help us fight off illnesses and diseases but with counterfeits infiltrating the market, it may be difficult for people to get rid of these diseases. With the recommendations in this article, you not only increase your chances of buying standard, high-quality drugs, but you also reduce or even eliminate your chances of using counterfeit medications. This keeps you safe and healthy at all times. SEE: How To Spot Fake Green Xanax Bars [S 90 3 Fake]
