Xanax comes in different dosage strengths, each one made identifiable by different color codes. Taking this anti-anxiety medication, which is also a benzodiazepine, is important for the many people who are battling some kind of anxiety disorder or panic attacks. Xanax is highly potent and the drug treatment is highly effective when the right dosage information is followed. Taking more than required or less than the recommended amount can have varying consequences like increased risk or side effects or no therapeutic effects on the condition itself. If you have been prescribed to take Xanax, it can be very useful to learn what each dosage strength looks like so you do not have to be confused at the time of taking the medication. Also, keenly observing the pill can help weed out any fake or counterfeit pills that you may receive.
Identifying the different Xanax colors and dosage
Xanax, one of the most well-known anxiety medications, is easy to identify once you learn a little more about it. The drug comes in four different dosage strengths and each one is described below:
- Xanax 0.25mg – This tablet is white and oval, with a scored line on one side to split the pill if required. The drug contains 0.25mg of Alprazolam, the active ingredient of Xanax. The pills has ‘XANAX 0.25’ imprinted on the other side.
- Xanax 0.5mg – This dosage strength is an orange colored oval shaped tablet. The 0.5mg dose has a scored line on one side to facilitate easy splitting, and ‘XANAX 0.5’ on the other.
- Xanax 1mg – The Xanax 1mg dose is light blue in color and oval in shape. The drug has ‘XANAX 1.0’ imprinted on one side and a scored line on the other for easy splitting.
- Xanax 2mg – The 2mg white Xanax dose is referred to as a Xanax bar as it is rectangular in shape. The tablet has ‘XANAX’ imprinted on one side and ‘2’ on the other. There are four scored lines that can help divide the 2mg dose according the dosage prescribed or the severity of the anxiety symptoms.
What if my Xanax comes in other forms or shapes?
While the popular shaped, colors and dosages of Xanax have been mentioned above, it is quite possible that the pills you receive are nothing like the description. However, this does not necessarily mean that the pills are either fake or counterfeit. It could simply mean that the drug you have with you is the generic version of Xanax, which contains the same active ingredient. Other manufacturers of Alprazolam generally use different color codes and even have other dosage strengths available. Read the product label carefully and if Alprazolam is listed as the first ingredient then the drug can be taken in the same way that you would take Xanax.
What is the safest way to take Xanax?
Apart from checking the Xanax pills and making sure they are authentic, the prescription anxiety medication is safe to use only if you follow your doctor’s dosage recommendations. Do not share the drug with anyone else, take more than the prescribed dose, or abuse the drug in any manner. Discontinuing Xanax should be done by tapering the doses so as to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. The benzo drug Xanax should be taken with suitable precautions so as to get the maximum benefit from it.
