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Xanax is the brand name for a formulation of alprazolam, a drug used to help mitigate the symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax is a drug called a benzodiazepine that works on the user’s brain chemistry to ease their nerves and help them lead more normal lives. In cases like these, Xanax or a generic equivalent is prescribed by a doctor or other medical professional.
This is one of the many reasons Xanax has become so widely abused because it can be found in the medicine cabinets of so many Americans. It doesn’t matter if it’s you, a loved one, or even an acquaintance that may be struggling with a dependence on Xanax. Help is available. If you think that there may be an addiction or dependence on Xanax, medical help should be obtained, and quitting cold turkey can cause seizures and potentially fatal complications.
What Are Yellow Xanax Bars?
When someone talks about yellow Xanax bars, they are not referring to a different type of Xanax or a different formulation. It is merely referring to the appearance and how to determine the right dosage. Yellow Xanax bars refer to the color of the pills, which are yellow, and the shape, which is a rectangle. This means the user can be sure of what they’re getting. Yellow Xanax bars marked with “R039” are a 2 mg dose.
Often the physician will prescribe the lowest possible dose that can reduce their symptoms by a measurable amount. The 2 mg yellow Xanax bars are designed to be broken in half so that two equal-sized doses can be taken in the morning and later in the day. When taken as directed by mouth, yellow Xanax bars will take effect within an hour, and the bloodstream concentration of yellow Xanax bars will peak between 60 and 120 minutes after taking.
Several different medications are designed to relax you or induce a state of sleepiness, such as alcohol. Be sure your doctor is aware of all your medication and over-the-counter substances to avoid potential interactions.
Yellow Xanax bars may interact with:
- Alcohol
- Antihistamines
- Cold medicine
- Sleep aids
- Opiate-based pain relievers
- Muscle relaxants
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Barbiturates
- Birth control
- Antivirals such as HIV/AIDS medication
- Medication regulating blood pressure or the heart
Side Effects of Taking Yellow Xanax Bars
Xanax is a sedative that relaxes both the mind and the body, which is why many doctors prescribe it for people who need help with panic or anxiety. One of the leading reasons that patients prescribed yellow Xanax bars end up becoming dependent on it is that when they come off of it, they are often forced to deal with what are called “rebound symptoms.” These are the symptoms that yellow Xanax bars helped manage, which often come back much stronger if the Xanax is stopped.
There are a great many prescriptions that are safe for people that are pregnant or breastfeeding, but yellow Xanax bars are not among them. Xanax can cause abnormalities and birth defects in the fetus, and it is present in the breastmilk of those who are nursing. It also has some profound side effects on both physical and mental health.
Side effects often noticed first are the behavioral effects or the effects on the user’s sex drive. Since yellow Xanax bars have a powerful relaxing effect, it is common for those addicted to Xanax to have a diminished interest in sex.
The mood-altering effects are what draw many people in, to the point of addiction. Yellow Xanax bars are known to greatly relax the user and give them strong feelings of euphoria.
Xanax also creates many physical side effects, including:
- Dry mouth
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Slurred or confused speech
- Breathing difficulties
- Coordination problems
- Tremors
Yellow Xanax Bars Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from addiction to yellow Xanax bars can be incredibly difficult and potentially dangerous. Xanax withdrawal symptoms are often more uncomfortable than many other benzodiazepines. These sometimes painful symptoms can occur after taking yellow Xanax bars for as little as a week and can include:
- General aches and pains
- Sudden aggression, irritability, and mood swings
- Feelings of anxiety and panic
- Blurred vision
- Breathing difficulties
- Headaches and dizziness
- Increased sensitivity to light and sound
- Disturbed sleep, insomnia, nightmares
- Nausea
- Muscle tenseness
- Muscle tremors
- Paranoid and suicidal thoughts
Abuse/Addiction Potential of Yellow Xanax Bars
Xanax can be potentially addictive in several situations. When someone is legitimately prescribed yellow Xanax bars, the user will develop a tolerance relatively easily, meaning the usual drug dosage fails to produce the desired effect, leading to either larger or more frequent doses. Patients who use yellow Xanax bars for anxiety may need to raise their dose to reduce the symptoms as much as possible.
The withdrawal symptoms that yellow Xanax bars create are often severe enough to keep someone using. Since withdrawal symptoms can occur only a few hours after the last dose, the uncomfortable, painful, and even dangerous symptoms are often enough to push an addict back to using to stop the beginnings of withdrawals.
Treatment Help if Addicted to Yellow Xanax Bars
Treatment for addiction to yellow Xanax bars can be long and challenging. It can feel at some points like it will be endless, but if you or someone you know are struggling with abusing yellow Xanax bars getting professional help can be the first step to recovery.
Since the withdrawal process can have significant medical complications, working with treatment professionals on a detox and treatment plan that is right for the individual is highly recommended. Once the acute withdrawal phase is over, the work on lasting and permanent recovery can begin.
Reach out today if you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to Xanax so that you can start walking on the path to a better tomorrow right now.
Sources:
Infinite Recovery has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for our references. We avoid using tertiary references as our sources. You can learn more about how we source our references by reading our editorial guidelines and medical review policy.
- WebMD. Xanax Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing – WebMD. Accessed June 28, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9824/xanax-oral/details
