What Are Xanax Bars? (2024)

Author: Amy Keller, RN, BSN | Last Updated: 3/20/23 | 12 sources

A Xanax bar is a street name for alprazolam, a prescription medication that’s used to relieve anxiety.

Like other benzodiazepines, Xanax calms a person by slowing the central nervous system. Because the drug works quickly and effectively, it can be a godsend for individuals suffering from panic attacks and other debilitating types of anxiety.

But the drug’s relaxing effects have also made it a popular recreational drug, contributing to high rates of Xanax addiction and abuse.

How Many Milligrams Are in a Bar of Xanax?

Xanax, which is a name brand of alprazolam manufactured by Pfizer, comes in several different strengths. Xanax bars usually refer to 2-milligram-strength tablets of the drug.

Name brand Xanax bars are white and rectangular tablets imprinted with “XANAX” on one side and the number “2” on the other side. They are scored, or indented, in three places, so one pill can be broken into four 0.25-mg pieces.

There are also a number of similar looking generic versions of the drug. Par Pharmaceuticals distributes pale green Xanax bars. The 2-mg rectangular pills — which are imprinted with “S 90 3” — have two scores, instead of three, so they can be broken into three equal 0.66mg squares.

Actavis Pharma markets a yellow version of the drug. The 2-mg tablets are sometimes referred to as “yellow school buses” on the street. Other common slang terms for Xanax bars include: “sticks,” “planks,” “bricks,” “bars,” “zbars,” “handlebars,” “totem poles” and “zanies.”

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What Color Xanax Pill Is the Strongest?

Color, along with the shape of a tablet, can provide some clues about the strength of alprazolam tablets — but it’s not a perfect indicator. That’s because different manufacturers use different colors for their formulations.

The lowest dose of alprazolam, 0.25 mg, usually comes as an oblong, white pill that is scored down the middle — and most manufacturers pills look relatively the same, according to a search of the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s pill identification database.

But while most 0.5-mg alprazolam tablets, for instance, are football-shaped and pink or peach in color, some manufacturers sell 0.5-mg tablets that are yellow. And although 1-mg tablets are usually blue, some are green. As mentioned above, 2-mg Xanax bars are usually white, yellow or light green.

The highest strength dose of Xanax is a 3-mg extended-release tablet. That pill is triangular — not bar-shaped — and green.

Because of the wide variety of strengths and manufacturers, you should never take alprazolam unless it’s been specifically prescribed to you and came from its original prescription pill bottle.

What Does a Bar of Xanax Do to You?

Most people take alprazolam for its relaxing and euphoric effects, otherwise known as a Xanax high. But reactions Xanax can differ from person to person, depending on the dose taken and whether they have taken it before.

The 2-mg dose of alprazolam in a Xanax bar is a heavy dose of the drug. A person who uses alprazolam regularly and has built up a tolerance to it, might feel euphoric or extremely mellow, but someone who is not used to the drug may become heavily sedated.

Other common Xanax side effects include:

  • Difficulty speaking
  • Problems with coordination
  • Drowsiness
  • Depression
  • Memory problems

Dangers of Xanax Bars

Overdosing on Xanax only is rare. But mixing alcohol and Xanax or combining the drug with other central nervous system depressants increases the risk of a fatal Xanax overdose.

Signs and symptoms of a Xanax overdose include:

  • Extreme sleepiness
  • Confusion
  • Impaired coordination
  • Diminished reflexes
  • Coma and death

Counterfeit Xanax tainted with fentanyl and carfentanil is also cropping up the street. One dose of the fake drug could kill a person.

Using Xanax regularly can also lead to physical dependence and addiction. Xanax withdrawal can be uncomfortable and often requires a medical detox.

Rap References to Xanax Bars

Abuse of Xanax is so widespread that references to the drug have invaded popular culture and the rap music scene in particular.

In 2013, rapper Ricky Hil, Tommy Hilfiger’s son, came out with a song about Xanax addiction called “Xanax Bars.” And when South Florida rapper Lil Pump reached one million followers on Instagram in 2017, he celebrated by slicing a “Xan cake” make to look like a green Xanax bar.

California rap artist Diego Leanos, who goes by the stage name Lil Xan, had a breakout hit with his 2017 song “Betrayed,” about his two-year addiction to Xanax. The artist’s music video has garnered more than 211 million hits on YouTube.

Lil Xan says he decided to give up Xanax following the 2017 death of his friend and fellow rap artist Lil Peep, who died after overdosing on a combination of Xanax and fentanyl.

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Medical Disclaimer:DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

Author

What Are Xanax Bars? (1)

Amy Keller, RN, BSN,

Content Writer, DrugRehab.com

As a former journalist and a registered nurse, Amy draws on her clinical experience, compassion and storytelling skills to provide insight into the disease of addiction and treatment options. Amy has completed the American Psychiatric Nurses Association’s course on Effective Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder and continuing education on Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Amy is an advocate for patient- and family-centered care. She previously participated in Moffitt Cancer Center’s patient and family advisory program and was a speaker at the Institute of Patient-and Family-Centered Care’s 2015 national conference.

[emailprotected]

@DrugRehabAmy

editor

What Are Xanax Bars? (2)

Kim Borwick, MA,

Editor, DrugRehab.com

Other Addiction Topics

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  • Co-Occurring Disorders
  • Substance Abuse Treatment
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What Are Xanax Bars? (2024)

FAQs

How many Xanax equal a Xanax bar? ›

Each Xanax bar has 2-milligrams per dose, but when broken in half, becomes 2, 1-milligram pieces of a bar. Smaller doses include 0.5 milligrams and 0.25 milligrams, which is the smallest dose. People who have developed a tolerance to a quarter of a Xanax bar often double their dosage to 2 small quarter-sized squares.

What is the meaning of Xanax bars? ›

A Xanax bar refers to the pill's shape. It's long and thin, containing about 2mg dosage amounts. It means most bar-shaped tablets have high doses of alprazolam. These bars have some of the highest dosages around. The highest one is the 3mg tablet with extended-release.

Do Xanax bars help with anxiety? ›

Xanax bars are also informally known as “zanies” or “planks.” As mentioned earlier, Xanax bars are used to treat anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety.

What is the real name for Xanax bars? ›

Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax and others, is a fast-acting, potent tranquilizer of moderate duration within the triazolobenzodiazepine group of chemicals called benzodiazepines.

What is the highest prescription for Xanax? ›

Adults—At first, 0.5 milligram (mg) 3 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 10 mg per day.

How much Xanax to take for panic attacks? ›

Dosage in Panic Disorder

Controlled trials of XANAX in the treatment of panic disorder included dosages in the range of 1 mg to 10 mg daily. The mean dosage was approximately 5 mg to 6 mg daily. Occasional patients required as much as 10 mg per day.

Which is better, Xanax or Xanax XR? ›

Unlike the short-acting version that must be taken three times a day, alprazolam ER (Xanax XR) is just taken once daily. But alprazolam ER (Xanax XR) is only approved to treat panic disorder, whereas the short-acting alprazolam (Xanax) is approved to treat both anxiety and panic disorder.

What's so special about Xanax? ›

Xanax increases the number of neurotransmitters in the brain that can help a person become relaxed, calm and feeling better. It is very safe and effective when it is taken correctly.

How does Xanax make you feel? ›

Taking Xanax may make a person feel tired, relaxed, or calm. However, the medication can also cause side effects like dizziness, memory problems, and dry mouth. Xanax is a benzodiazepine, which is a class of drugs that can treat anxiety and panic attacks.

Is 1 mg of Xanax a lot? ›

Is 1 mg of Xanax a Lot? A normal starting dose of Xanax is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg, but it may be up to 1 mg depending on what it is being used for. In unusual cases, people may be increased to doses as high as 10 mg per day, although this is not taken all at once.

What is the most common side effect of Xanax? ›

Xanax Effects

The most common adverse effects of alprazolam include impaired coordination, low blood pressure, difficulty speaking, and increased libido. Additional adverse effects of Xanax include: Decreased mental alertness.

Does Xanax help you sleep all night? ›

Although alprazolam, the active ingredient in Xanax, will probably make you feel tired, it isn't a good medication for treating insomnia. Not only does it reduce the amount of time you'll spend in deep sleep (causing you to function poorly the next day), but it's also potentially addictive.

What is a blue pill with B707 on it? ›

The B707 variant of Xanax bears a blue color, resembling standard Xanax tablets. Xanax bars come in various types, each distinguished by a unique identifier: B704 pill: Encompasses 0.25 mg of alprazolam. B705 pill: Comprises 0.5 mg of alprazolam.

What does alprazolam 0.5 mg do to you? ›

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

What is a white bar pill with Y 21 on it? ›

Pill with imprint Y 2 1 is White, Rectangle and has been identified as Alprazolam 2 mg. It is supplied by Aurobindo Pharma Limited. Alprazolam is used in the treatment of Anxiety; Panic Disorder and belongs to the drug class benzodiazepines.

How much Xanax is equivalent to? ›

Benzodiazepine equivalency tables state that 0.5mg of alprazolam (Xanax) is approximately equivalent to 1mg lorazepam (Ativan).

What is 1mg of Xanax equivalent to? ›

Due to the potency of Xanax, 1 mg of Xanax is equal to 20 mg of Valium. Because of the range in potency between different benzodiazepines, a health care professional would prescribe varying dosages based on the drug a person needs.

Is alprazolam 0.5 mg a Xanax? ›

Alprazolam (Xanax) dosage forms

Panic disorder: The typical starting dose is 0.5 mg by mouth three times a day.

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