Drug: Counterfeit Alprazolam (Xanax/Kalma)
NSW Health 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. QLD & NSW Health has confirmed that there are counterfeit Kalma, Xanax, Mylan and Sandoz brand tablets in circulation. The tablets have been illegally sold online or on the street (not in pharmacies).
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.
Avoid mixing with alcohol or other drugs. Mixing benzos with alcohol, opioids, GHB, pregabalin/Lyrica, and other downers greatly increases your risk of overdose.
Don’t redose – Multiple doses are dangerous
Don’t use alone
Seek medical help ASAP, call 000 if feeling unwell.
IMAGE NOTE: the legally supplied version of Kalma 2 has the manufacturer’s image on it (Mylan) whereas the counterfeit version is missing the manufacturer’s image on the label.
Full warning here:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/public-drug-alerts/Pages/counterfeit-alprazolam-july.aspx
