SEDATIVE · XANAX · VALIUM · ATIVAN

Benzodiazepines

Benzos can cause blackouts and heavy sleepiness. Street pills can contain something unexpected.

Avoid mixing with: Alcohol, opioids, and other sedatives
If you’re going to use: Use less and have a sober person nearby
If you use regularly: Get help before stopping suddenly

If you’re going to use

Take less and avoid taking more while effects build. A small piece of an unknown pill can still be strong. Some benzos take two hours or more to build.

Skip it if you’ve had alcohol, opioids, GHB, or other sedatives. Have a sober person nearby and keep naloxone handy.

What the dose means

0.25–0.5 mg is a typical prescribed starting dose for genuine fast-release Xanax. A 2 mg tablet contains four times as much as a 0.5 mg tablet. That math only works for the same drug and verified strength.

Check the pill

A stamp or score line can’t tell you what’s inside. Get it checked if you can. Fentanyl and benzo strips can miss drugs and can’t measure strength.

If someone is hard to wake

Call 911. Give naloxone if an opioid could be involved. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions and stay with them.

If you take benzos regularly

Stopping suddenly can cause seizures. Get medical help before cutting down, even if you took them without a prescription. Call 911 for a seizure or severe confusion.

Sources

Drug checking Stopping regular use Find naloxone in the U.S.Emergency response and Poison Control