A broken section of a white pressed pill with a score mark expected to contain alprazolam was found to contain pregabalin and bromonordiazepam instead.

What does this mean? Benzos are drugs typically used to sedate and treat anxiety. Pregabalin (brand name Lyrica) is not a benzo or an opioid, but a central nervous sytem depressant used in a variety of clinical settings. It’s combination wiht other depressants like benzos or opioids may worsen side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and over-sedation.

Effects of both benzos and pregabalin can include drowsiness, dizziness, memory loss and impaired coordination. Effects and how long they last vary widely with different benzos. Overdose risks can include respiratory depression, causing death. Because of this, you should wait longer intervals before using another depressant (over 72 hrs in some cases) to avoid the risk of an overdose.

Your risk of harm is signifcantly increased if using depresants such as alcohol, GHB or opiates with benzos, consuming multiple different benzos in one pill or by consuming multiple benzo pills.

Reducing the harm

Test your stuff! A global trend is that unregulated or counterfeit pharmaceuticals, such as benzodiazepines, are becoming more common and very convincing, making them hard to distinguish from legitimate pharmaceutical products. Often these counterfeit products contain new psychoactive substances, many of which haven’t been studied for human consumption. In some cases, there are several different benzos inside a single pill – drastically raising the risk for users.

Alprazolam (which is the active ingredient in Xanax) is not frequently prescribed in Australia. This pill was expected to contain alprazolam. While other brands containing alprazolam can be obtained on prescription, ‘Xanax’ bars are not available in Australia.

Pregabalin use can result in physical dependency. Avoid stopping or tapering down use suddnely if you’re using it regularly. Speak to a health professional you trust first.

Don’t mix it with alcohol or other depressants. Remember, some benzos can have effects that last multiple days after use.

Start low, go slow. Try a test dose first and never use alone.

Be alert for signs of an overdose. Think someone has overdosed? Call 000 for an ambulance immediately.