Bromonordiazepam found in ‘Xanax’ sample

Benzodiazepines tested at CanTEST are often not what they were sold as. A white pill sample with ‘Mylan A4’ printed on one side and a cross printed on the other, purchased as Xanax (alprazolam), was actually found to contain bromonordiazepam.

What is Bromonordiazepam? It’s a novel benzodiazepine or “benzo”. Benzos are drugs typically used to sedate and treat anxiety. They’re classified as depressants and can have a very long half-life (72+ hours).

Effects of benzos and how long they last vary widely. They may be short or long acting, which means you must wait longer intervals before using another depressant (72+ hours in some cases) to avoid overdose. Using depressants such as alcohol, GHB or opiates with benzos significantly increases your risk of overdose.

Test your stuff! There’s a high prevalence of novel benzos circulating in the counterfeit market. It can be difficult to visually identify ‘fake’ just from the appearance of a pill. Counterfeit benzos have been known to contain other drugs, including opioids with high overdose risk. Come and see us at CanTEST. CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service is a free, confidential harm reduction service.

Don’t mix it with alcohol or other depressants. Remember, some benzos can have effects 72+ hours after use.

Start low, go slow. Try a test dose first and ask a trusted person to check on you.

Be alert for signs of an overdose. Respiratory depression can lead to unconsciousness and can sound like snoring – check on people to see if you they are really sleeping. Think someone has overdosed? Call 000 for an ambulance immediately.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CxFjtYjB1L8/?img_index=1

Emergency: If you are experiencing an emergency, please call an ambulance on 000, or if you need to speak to someone urgently please call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.