NSW Health’s Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs is warning consumers against counterfeit anxiety medication currently circulating around the State.
Issuing the warning, the Centre said counterfeit alprazolam (commonly sold under the brand name ‘Xanax’) in NSW rarely contained alprazolam.
“These products contain other drugs (mostly unregistered benzodiazepines) in variable combinations and dosages,” the Centre said.
“Counterfeit benzos have been associated with serious harm and death,” it said.
“The tablets have variable appearance and can look like a variety of local or overseas alprazolam 2mg brands, such as Kalma, Xanax, Mylan, Sandoz.”
The Centre said products not purchased at pharmacies were a high risk of being counterfeit.
It said counterfeit alprazolam was often poorly manufactured, and the ingredients and amounts could vary substantially, even within the same batch.
“Testing of counterfeit alprazolam has shown that most counterfeit tablets do not contain alprazolam, instead they contain unregistered, illicit benzodiazepines and other drugs (e.g. stimulants), which can be more harmful.”
The Centre said people should be on the lookout for unexpected effects and signs of overdose, such as difficulty speaking or walking, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slow breathing/snoring and skin turning blue.
It advised people who saw the warning signs of overdose to seek help immediately from their nearest emergency department or call Triple Zero (000), and start CPR if someone isn’t breathing.
For free and confidential advice is available from the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015 at any time 24/7.
