Drug Alert: Counterfeit Alprazolam (Xanax/Kalma)
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released a warning about numerous batches of fake alprazolam/Xanax currently circulating in Australia.
Counterfeit alprazolam 2mg tablets have tested positive for substances other than alprazolam/Xanax, including illicit benzodiazepines and hayfever medication.
These counterfeit pills have been pressed to look like branded alprazolam tablets and have been sold in counterfeit pill containers/boxes, which may lead people to believe they are taking pharmaceutical grade pills. NSW Health has confirmed that there are counterfeit Kalma, Xanax, Mylan and Sandoz brand tablets in circulation.
These counterfeit tablets contain no alprazolam and are likely to contain unwanted or dangerous ingredients. Some substances in these pills, such as etizolam and flubromazepam, may still be dependence-forming.
Undeclared substances that may be present in these tablets include: etizolam, flubromazepam, cyproheptadine, promethazine, and amantadine. These substances have been found in counterfeit alprazolam in Australia recently, in various doses and combinations
Etizolam and flubromazepam are benzodiazepines, meaning they are chemically related to alprazolam/Xanax. However, these drugs have different effects than alprazolam, and their effects are likely to be different between people. 👬
Things to look out for:
• unusually alert/energetic after dosing
• time to come on may differ from Xanax
❌ You're more likely to have a bad time or do something you'll regret if you mix benzos with alcohol or other drugs.
❌ Mixing benzos with alcohol, opioids, GHB, pregabalin/Lyrica, and other downers greatly increases your risk of overdose.
✅ Remember to stay safe!
💊 Don’t redose - Multiple doses are dangerous💊
🥃🍺💉Avoid mixing with alcohol or other drugs 🥃🍺💉
👭 Don’t use alone 👬
🚐🏩 Seek medical help ASAP, call 000 if feeling unwell
Counterfeit products bough online are not regulated. They could contain the wrong amount of the active ingredient, or none of what you want at all. An up-to-date guide on identifying counterfeit alprazolam in NSW is available to view here: https://www.tga.gov.au/…/counterfeit-alprazolam-2mg-and-kal…