A counterfeit medication or a counterfeit drug is a medication or pharmaceutical item which is produced and sold with the intent to deceptively represent its origin, authenticity or effectiveness. A counterfeit drug may contain inappropriate quantities of active ingredients, or none, may be improperly processed within the body (e.g., absorption by the body), may contain ingredients that are not on the label (which may or may not be harmful), or may be supplied with inaccurate or fake packaging and labeling.
Counterfeit drugs are a global problem with significant and well-documented consequences for global health and patient safety, including drug resistance and patient deaths. This multibillion-dollar industry does not respect geopolitical borders, and threatens public health in both rich and resource-poor nations alike.
The white B704 elliptical/oval pill is a type of Xanax that has been identified as containing 0.25 mg Alprazolam and supplied by Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a powerful benzodiazepine that is often prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders and insomnia. It is extremely addictive when used long-term. Xanax is the number one prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. Seventy percent of teens with a Xanax addiction get the drug from their family’s medicine cabinet.
Tolerance to Alprazolam develops quickly, requiring the user to take more of the drug to achieve the desired effects. Someone with an Alprazolam addiction may take up to 20 to 30 pills per day. If the user decides to stop taking Xanax, they may experience withdrawal effects, such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and tremors. The onset of withdrawal symptoms is a sign that a physical dependence has developed. The development of tolerance and withdrawal are indications of addiction. Once an Alprazolam addiction has taken hold, daily responsibilities, such as school, work or family, are ignored as energy is redirected towards drug seeking behavior.
In their latest report on fake online pharmacies that ply their trade in the United States, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found more than 1,500 new websites that it considers “Not Recommended,” and of these, 31% are offering illicit prescription drugs, such as codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, Adderall, Valium, and Xanax. Falsified medicines are often the business of criminal cartels. Fentanyl laced pills are responsible for most overdose deaths involving drugs that triggers highs. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.
Many drug dealers mix the cheaper fentanyl with other drugs like Xanax to increase their profits, making it often difficult to know which drug is causing the overdose. Naloxone is a medicine that can treat a fentanyl overdose when given right away. It works by rapidly binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of opioid drugs. But fentanyl is stronger than other opioid drugs like morphine and might require multiple doses of naloxone.
How To Spot B704 Fake
Know your Drug: Do you know how a genuine B704 pill looks like? This is the first step in avoiding a counterfeit medication – Visual inspection. When you receive your medication, pay attention to the physical details – the appearance of the drug, the packaging, and the instructions about its usage. Here are things to look out for when inspecting the drug.
Examine the package and check for any defects in its appearance: Is the lettering difficult to read? Are the prints flat rather than raised? Are the expiry dates missing? Is the batch number missing? Are there spelling errors? Are the manufacturer’s address and contact details missing? Are the manufacturer’s license and registration numbers missing? A positive response to these questions are clues that the medication may be fake.
Check for the security seal of the package: Drugs whose package seals have been broken or tampered with are more likely to be counterfeit.
Check for the drug’s registration number: A B704 pill with no registration number of the appropriate drug agency (Drug Identification Number ( DIN ) is a computer-generated eight digit number assigned by Health Canada to a drug product prior to being marketed in Canada.) is likely to be fake. Also, if this number is present but not clearly printed, it may be fake.
Check the appearance of the B704: Do not overlook unusual crystals on the wall of the containing bottle or on the tablet. These may be signs that the medication is counterfeit. Also, if the drug looks crushed, broken, or abraded, it may be fake. Furthermore, if you notice an abnormal discoloration on the tablet, this may also suggest foul play. Fake B704 also have abnormal softening, hardening, or swelling.
Price of B704 pill: The price may also be a sign that a B704 pill is fake. If you come across an unusually cheap brand of Xanax or a medication you use, the brand may be fake. Although some fake drugs may cost as much or even more than the genuine ones.
Buy from a Reputable Pharmacy: Chances are slim that you will be given a counterfeit drug from a reputable pharmacy. Avoid buying your medications from unregistered drug stores or open markets. The chances are very high that you will purchase a fake drug from these dealers. This is because these sources are unregulated and unsupervised, therefore, can easily partake in the fake drug business.
Online pharmacy stores are not exempted from this scrutiny: Ensure you order drugs from approved online pharmacies. Approved online pharmacy sites carry standard seals, such as the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) for online drug stores.
Fentanyl Test
Fentanyl testing is one of the most reliable ways of telling a fake from a real B704 pill. A new University of Maryland study found Fentanyl tops the list of drugs detected in overdose patients at two Baltimore hospital emergency departments. The finding suggests that hospitals and medical systems throughout the United States consider adding Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid linked to most fatal overdoses in Maryland, to their routine drug testing panels. That is the conclusion of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland, College Park. Currently, fentanyl is not routinely included in these panels nationwide. The procedure described below can help law enforcement agents and public health officials to pick out fentanyl laced powders and pills.
Steps
- Crush pill or pour powder into a clean bowl or test tube
- Add ¼ inch of clean water to the powder in the tube or bowl and mix properly
- Dip the end of the test strip into the residue for 15 seconds, remove, and lay on a clean flat surface
- Check strip after 5 minutes, (manufacturer’s directions) results may be visible sooner: One line means fentanyl (positive) Two lines means no fentanyl (negative) * If the strip does not either have one or two lines, the test is invalid. ALSO SEE: How to Spot T 259 Yellow Pill Fake Vs Real
Report any Suspicious Drug
If your drug tastes differently from previous ones you have used or if you develop unusual side effects such as allergic reactions, the drug may be counterfeit. If you have these concerns, discontinue the drug and report to your healthcare provider and contact your local drug control agency.
Drugs are designed to help us fight off illnesses and diseases but with counterfeits infiltrating the market, it may be difficult for people to get rid of these diseases. With the recommendations in this article, you not only increase your chances of buying standard, high-quality drugs, but you also reduce or even eliminate your chances of using counterfeit B704 pill. This keeps you safe and healthy at all times. SEE: How To Spot An R039 Xanax Yellow Pill Fake
