Alprazolam, the brand name for Xanax, is also sold in Mexico, commonly called Mexican Xanax, but the medication’s official name is Farmapram.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported counterfeit medications from Mexico laced with fentanyl, represented as Percocet, OxyContin, Xanax, and others.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is the deadliest drug threat this country faces. It is 50 times as powerful as heroin and extremely fatal. In 2022, the DEA tested and found that six out of ten fentanyl-laced pills contained a lethal dose.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, over 107k Americans died of drug poisonings, and 66% of those deaths involved fentanyl.
Criminal organizations advertise on social media to sell these counterfeit pills. They are sold in small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico, especially in tourist areas along the border. The US Customs and Border Protection and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate the transportation of all medication into the United States and require a prescription or letter from your doctor if your medication isn’t in the original packaging. Additionally, real Mexican Xanax only comes from a Mexican doctor with a valid prescription.
Mexican Xanax Bars: Farmapram
Mexican Xanax Bars, or Farmapram, are solid white bars with no imprint. Mexican brick-and-mortar pharmacies sell counterfeit pills as authentic Mexican Xanax because it is almost impossible to distinguish between fake versions based only on appearance.
Mexican Xanax vs. US Xanax
Mexican Xanax and US Xanax both contain the same active ingredient, alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Therefore, there is no difference between these drugs.
In the United States, Mexican Xanax, or Farmapram, is known by its generic name, alprazolam, or by Xanax. In Mexico, the brand name Farmapram is well-known and commonly used to refer to alprazolam.
Like benzodiazepines in America, Mexican Xanax pills are classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US that causes physical dependence and addiction.
Side Effects
The alprazolam in Mexican Xanax is a sedative, and if the pill contains fentanyl, it combines two depressants that significantly increase the risk of drug overdose deaths.
The side effects of Mexican Xanax include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Appetite or weight changes
- Decreased alertness
- Dry mouth
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Blurred vision
The Dangers of Xanax from Mexico
Medicines requiring a prescription in the United States are usually readily available in a Mexican pharmacy without regulation. However, the CDC urges us to exercise caution when purchasing medication in Mexico because counterfeit medication is so common and can easily be the wrong strength and contain harmful ingredients.
The US State Department warned that these counterfeit pills often contain fatal doses of fentanyl. A study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) reported that two out of three Northern Mexican tourist town pharmacies that sold mainly to US tourists sold at least one controlled substance without a prescription. Additionally, 27% of those pharmacies had fake pills containing fentanyl, heroin, or methamphetamine. A Los Angeles Times investigation independently confirmed UCLA researchers’ findings.
“These counterfeit pills represent a serious overdose risk to buyers,” said Chelsea Shover, assistant professor of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Get Xanax Addiction Treatment with Northridge Addiction Treatment Center
If you are addicted to Farmapram or another type of benzodiazepine, compassionate addiction treatment is available to live a drug-free life.
The repeated use of alprazolam, like all benzodiazepines, causes severe physical dependence, fueling substance abuse and addiction to avoid experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
The first step toward sobriety is getting help and going through detox. At Northridge Addiction Treatment Center, we off a comprehensive medical detox program in our residential treatment center. We know benzodiazepine withdrawal can be severe and sometimes dangerous, allow us to ensure your safety and comfort surrounded by medical care and support.
NATC is committed to your recovery. Reclaim your life today. Reach out to speak with one of our caring treatment specialists.
