What are the Different Types of Xanax Bars?

Medically Verified: 2/1/24

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All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Xanax is the brand name for a prescription benzodiazepine drug called alprazolam which is primarily used to treat anxiety conditions and seizure disorders. While Xanax is highly effective in managing these conditions, it can be addictive when abused or used long-term.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), 17.2% of all people who use benzodiazepines like Xanax are abusing them.[1]

When people buy Xanax pills illicitly, they may ask for “bars” or “Xanax bars.” Xanax bars can come in a variety of colors and markings. If you are worried that your loved one is abusing Xanax, it’s important to be aware of all of the different types of Xanax pills.

Why Do People Abuse Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine, which means it slows down the central nervous system in your brain. This can cause a rush of euphoria and drowsiness that can become highly addictive.

Oftentimes, people who abuse Xanax mix it with alcohol to create a more potent effect. Mixing Xanax with alcohol or other drugs is incredibly dangerous and increases the risk of respiratory depression or overdose.

The effects of Xanax include:[2]

• A rush of euphoria
• Drowsiness and dizziness
• Sedation
• Impaired coordination
• Decreased mental alertness
• Lessened anxiety
• Increased sociability
• Confusion

What is a Xanax Bar?

Xanax comes in many different shapes, sizes, and doses. Typically, the Xanax pills that have the highest dosage come in a rectangular shape with indentations on the pill so they can be broken into three pieces.

Xanax bars come in a few different colors and are usually 2mg. When compared to other Xanax pills, these are incredibly potent. Other Xanax pills come in .25mg, .5mg, and 1mg.

Common street names and slang terms for Xanax bars include:

• Zannies
• Bars
• Sticks
• School buses
• Hulks
• Zanbars
• Plankies
• Handlebars

Understanding the Different Types of Xanax Bars

Various pharmaceutical companies manufacture alprazolam, so Xanax bars come in many different colors.

Additionally, if you are buying Xanax off of the street, it can be incredibly difficult to determine whether it is counterfeit or not, and fake Xanax pills may contain lethal doses of fentanyl. Being aware of what each Xanax bar looks like can prevent you from consuming a counterfeit pill.

White Xanax Bars

White Xanax bars are 2mg and rectangular in shape. One side of the pill should have the word “XANAX” printed while the other side should have the number “2” to display the dose. Pfizer is the manufacturing company for legit white Xanax bars.

Yellow Xanax Bars

Yellow Xanax bars are also rectangular in shape and 2mg in potency. These are the most commonly prescribed Xanax bars. The only difference is the color and manufacturer, which is Actavis Pharma.

Yellow Xanax bars will have the word “XANAX” printed on one side and a series of numbers like “039” on the other. Because of their color, yellow Xanax bars are often called “school buses” on the street.

Green Xanax Bars

Green Xanax bars are the most potent type of alprazolam. These pills are 3mg, green, and rectangular in shape. They have 3 indents on them so that the pill can be broken up into 4 pieces.

Green Xanax bars are manufactured by Dava Pharma and usually have “S 90 3” imprinted on one side.

Counterfeit Xanax Bars

Counterfeit Xanax bars can come in all different colors, including white, yellow, green, and more. One of the most common colors to be used for counterfeit Xanax bars is red. If you purchase Xanax from a drug dealer and receive a red Xanax bar, it is counterfeit and not safe to consume.

Oftentimes, counterfeit Xanax bars have been laced with fentanyl. You should never consume Xanax bars without a prescription, as fentanyl is known to cause life-threatening overdoses in even the smallest of doses.

Find Help for Xanax Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one regularly abuse Xanax, you could be suffering from addiction. Xanax addiction can be incredibly dangerous, especially if you are buying off of the street or mixing them with other substances like alcohol. Anyone struggling with a Xanax addiction should seek help from a professional drug rehab program.

South Carolina Addiction Treatment is a state-licensed and CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited substance abuse treatment facility. We are a dual-diagnosis facility with a primary focus on substance abuse. We offer individualized, extended-term treatment in an intimate setting located in Greenville / Simpsonville, SC. 

At South Carolina Addiction Treatment Center, we can provide the support and tools you need to maintain long-term sobriety. To learn more about our Xanax addiction treatment program, contact us today.

References:

1. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Adults in the United States, Retrieved August 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6358464/
2. Medline Plus: Alprazolam, Retrieved August 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html