Xanax is the brand name for a prescription benzodiazepine called alprazolam. This medication is used in the United States to treat conditions like anxiety and seizure disorders.[1] While Xanax has valid medicinal uses, it is only intended for short-term use as it can be habit-forming and addictive.
Many people who abuse Xanax buy it off of the street or from friends who have a prescription. When buying Xanax off of the street, you might come across something called “Mexican Xanax.” Mexican Xanax comes from Mexico and contains alprazolam, however, it is known by the brand name Farmapram.
Farmapram may cause side effects like sedation, confusion, and vomiting, and can lead to risks such as addiction, overdose, and memory issues.
What is Mexican Xanax?
Mexican Xanax contains alprazolam, the same substance that is marketed as Xanax in the United States. This medication is a benzodiazepine, which means it slows down activity in the central nervous system. While Xanax is referred to as Farmapram in Mexico, it is the same substance you receive from a doctor in America.
The main difference between getting Xanax in Mexico when compared to the U.S. is that you do not need a prescription. This means you could walk into a pharmacy in Mexico and purchase up to 50 Farmapram pills at a time.
If you are receiving Mexican Xanax in the United States, it is important to know that it is not being regulated by the FDA. As a result, there is no way to tell whether the medication is safe to take. When people buy Mexican Xanax off of the street, they might think they are receiving pure alprazolam when the pill is laced with dangerous substances, like illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
Can People Bring Xanax From Mexico to the U.S.?
Since Farmapram contains alprazolam, the substance approved by the FDA in America and sold under the name Xanax, people can take it into the United States. While custom agents are allowed to use discretion on whether they allow someone to travel with Farmapram back into the U.S., it is legal to do so in many cases.
If someone is attempting to bring more than 50 Farmapram pills at a time, they are required to produce a prescription from a doctor.[2] Additionally, Farmapram must be in its original container if you are attempting to bring it from Mexico to America.
While it is possible to bring Mexican Xanax into the United States, this does not mean that everyone selling it on the street has done so. Drug manufacturers often create counterfeit Mexican Xanax because it is a common drug of abuse. Unfortunately, this makes it possible for the Farmapram you buy on the street to contain fentanyl or other dangerous adulterants.
What are the Side Effects of Mexican Xanax?
Mexican Xanax produces the same side effects as the Xanax you can receive by prescription in the United States. This is because both substances contain alprazolam. Many people abuse alprazolam for its sedative and euphoric effects.
The common side effects of Mexican Xanax include:[1]
- Drowsiness and tiredness
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- A rush of euphoria
- Sedation
- Irritability
- Talkativeness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry mouth or increased salivation
- Changes in sex drive or ability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Difficulty urinating
- Joint pain
When abused, people might experience drowsiness, dizziness, a rush of euphoria, and memory loss. If you or a loved one frequently uses Mexican Xanax, you could develop an addiction. Xanax addiction requires extensive treatment within a professional drug rehab program.
What are the Risks of Abusing Farmapram?
The main risk of abusing Farmapram or Mexican Xanax is addiction. When used repeatedly, you can develop a tolerance to alprazolam. Eventually, this will cause you to continuously increase the dose and frequency at which you take Mexican Xanax, leading to dependency and addiction.
Once you are addicted to Farmapram, you will likely take more than the recommended dose. Taking large amounts of Mexican Xanax at once can lead to an overdose.
The symptoms of a Farmapram overdose include:[3]
- Altered mental status
- Impaired coordination and movement
- Slurred speech
- Slowed or stopped breathing
- Respiratory arrest
- Decreased delivery of oxygen to the brain
- Hypoxic brain injury
- Coma
- Death
In addition, Mexican Xanax that is bought on the street often contains illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a potent opioid that often leads to life-threatening overdoses. Because of this, you should avoid consuming any type of Xanax that does not come directly from a doctor.
Find Help for Mexican Xanax Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from an addiction to Mexican Xanax, it’s time to seek help. At Alamo Behavioral Health, we offer individualized treatment planning, evidence-based behavioral therapy, and other clinically proven services for Xanax addiction.
To learn more about our Xanax addiction treatment programs, please contact us today.
References:
- Medline Plus: Alprazolam, Retrieved December 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Benzodiazepine Toxicity, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482238/
