Non-pharmaceutical grade (counterfeit) alprazolam tablets containing etizolam are about.
These tablets are not pharmaceutical grade and can have widely variable doses. The tablets have been illegally sold online or on the street as "Xanax" or "Mylan" (alprazolam), but they contain etizolam.
Etizolam has similar effects to other benzodiazepines but is not used medically in Australia. Taking these tablets can result in unexpected and severe health effects, especially if multiple tablets are taken together or over a short period.
Four people have been recently confirmed to have experienced serious harm in association with etizolam use in New South Wales (NSW).
The tablets have variable appearance and can look like other medicines.
These tablets contain etizolam only but are marked as branded alprazolam medications from overseas.
Adverse effects may include unexpectedly pronounced effects like prolonged sleepiness, agitation or loss of consciousness.
Seek help immediately if you have consumed this tablet or experience adverse effects from an alprazolam tablet you purchased online or from the street.
Seek help from your nearest emergency department, call Triple Zero (000) for emergency assistance, or phone the NSW Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).
Warnings over counterfeit benzodiazepines [12 December 2019]