What does generic blue Xanax look like? A guide to pill identification

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

Generic versions of prescription drugs like alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, can vary significantly in appearance, with the color blue typically indicating higher doses. Knowing what generic blue Xanax looks like is critical for patient safety, as physical attributes can differ between manufacturers and counterfeits pose serious risks.

Quick Summary

Generic alprazolam, or blue Xanax, can be either oval 1mg pills or rectangular 2mg bars, depending on the manufacturer and dosage. Different pharmaceutical companies produce varied shapes, imprints, and shades of blue. It is crucial to recognize the characteristics of legitimate pills to avoid potentially dangerous counterfeits found on the illicit market.

Key Points

Varies by manufacturer: Generic blue Xanax (alprazolam) appearance differs significantly based on the pharmaceutical company that produces it.
Multiple shapes and imprints: Common forms include oval 1 mg pills (sometimes called "blue footballs") and rectangular 2 mg bars, each with different imprints from various manufacturers.
Counterfeit danger: There is a high risk of fake pills, especially rectangular bars, containing lethal substances like fentanyl on the illicit market.
Authentic vs. Fake: Legitimate pills are uniform and have clear, precise markings, while counterfeits may show inconsistencies in shape, color, and imprint.
Source matters: The only way to ensure the authenticity and safety of your medication is to obtain it from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription.
Check imprints: If you have a prescription, verify the imprints on your pills using reputable online databases or consult with your pharmacist to ensure they match.

What is Generic Blue Xanax?

Generic blue Xanax is the non-brand-name version of the benzodiazepine medication alprazolam. Alprazolam is a controlled substance prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. While the brand-name Xanax is made by Pfizer, generic alprazolam is manufactured by numerous pharmaceutical companies, and these different manufacturers use distinct colors, shapes, and imprints to differentiate their products. This manufacturing difference is why a single drug can come in a variety of physical forms, including blue pills.

Identifying Legitimate Generic Blue Xanax

For prescription medication, the shape, color, and imprint are all important identifiers. The most common generic blue alprazolam pills are available in two forms, primarily distinguished by their dosage:

1 mg Oval Pill (Blue Football): These are typically light blue, oval-shaped, and often referred to as "blue footballs" due to their appearance. Manufacturers' imprints will differ. For instance, Actavis produces a round blue 1mg tablet imprinted with "031 R," while other oval varieties might bear different codes. This dosage is commonly prescribed for moderate anxiety symptoms.
2 mg Rectangular Bar (Blue Bar): This high-dose form of alprazolam is a rectangular bar shape, scored with three indentations so it can be broken into four sections, each containing 0.5 mg. Breckenridge Pharmaceutical manufactures a common blue 2mg bar imprinted with "B707". These are generally prescribed for more severe anxiety or panic disorders.

The Dangers of Counterfeit Blue Xanax

The illicit market is flooded with counterfeit versions of Xanax, and blue bars are one of the most widely faked versions. These fake pills are incredibly dangerous because they often contain other substances, most notably the potent and deadly opioid fentanyl. Since there is no quality control, the amount of active ingredient can be wildly inconsistent, increasing the risk of overdose or severe side effects. It is impossible to visually confirm a pill's content with certainty, making illicitly-obtained medication extremely risky. The only way to ensure you receive a legitimate, safe medication is to obtain it from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription.

How to Spot a Counterfeit Pill

While visual inspection is not foolproof, certain irregularities can serve as red flags indicating a pill might be counterfeit. Genuine pills are manufactured with precision, and imperfections are highly unlikely.

Poorly Formed or Uneven Shape: Authentic pharmaceutical pills are uniform in shape, size, and weight. Counterfeit pills might have rough edges, crumble easily, or be inconsistent in their physical dimensions.
Off-Color or Faded Hue: The color of a fake pill might not be the correct shade of blue or could appear faded or inconsistent.
Incorrect or Blurred Imprint: The imprints on legitimate pills are sharp and clear. Fake pills might have blurred, smeared, or incorrect markings.
Unexpected Taste or Texture: Counterfeit pills can have a chemical or bitter taste that is different from legitimate medication.
Unusual Effects: Taking a pill that produces unexpected effects, either a lack of effect or an overwhelming high, is a major warning sign that it is not what it claims to be.

Comparing Different Generic Blue Alprazolam Forms


Feature	1 mg Oval Tablet (Blue Football)	2 mg Rectangular Bar (Blue Bar)
Appearance	Oval or elliptical shape, light to medium blue color.	Rectangular bar shape, medium blue color.
Scoring	Often has a single score line for splitting into 0.5 mg doses.	Scored with three lines to divide into four 0.5 mg doses.
Common Imprints	Varies by manufacturer; for example, "031 R" (Actavis), "2089 V" (Actavis).	"B707" (Breckenridge) is a common example.
Use	Prescribed for anxiety and moderate symptoms of panic disorder.	Prescribed for more severe cases of anxiety and panic disorder.
Illicit Risk	Like all controlled substances, carries risk, but less commonly faked than the bar.	Highly prone to counterfeiting due to higher dosage and street value.

Conclusion

While a blue color on a pill is a common indicator of generic alprazolam, especially in 1 mg oval or 2 mg bar forms, the appearance can vary considerably depending on the manufacturer. The most critical information for patients is not the color but the importance of obtaining medication exclusively from a trusted, licensed pharmacy based on a valid prescription. The prevalence of dangerous counterfeit pills on the illicit market, often containing fentanyl, makes it imperative to avoid unauthorized sources. Relying on an official prescription ensures you receive safe, regulated medication. For authoritative visual identification of pharmaceutical pills, reliable sources like Drugs.com can be a valuable resource.

Visit Drugs.com Pill Identifier to cross-reference pill markings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brand-name Xanax and generic blue Xanax both contain the active ingredient alprazolam. The main differences are the manufacturer, price, and appearance, as generics from different companies can have different colors, shapes, and imprints.

A 1mg generic blue alprazolam pill is often oval-shaped, sometimes called a "blue football," and may have an imprint such as "031 R" or "2089 V" from certain manufacturers like Actavis.

A 2mg generic blue alprazolam bar is a rectangular, multi-scored tablet. A common example is the "B707" imprinted bar made by Breckenridge Pharmaceutical.

No, not all blue Xanax pills are the same strength. While blue oval pills are typically 1mg, blue rectangular bars are 2mg. The dosage varies based on the pill's shape and manufacturer.

You cannot reliably identify a fake pill by sight alone. However, counterfeit pills may have uneven coloring, blurred imprints, or crumble easily. The only way to guarantee a pill's authenticity is to obtain it from a licensed pharmacy.

Yes, counterfeit blue Xanax is extremely dangerous. Fake pills can contain lethal amounts of other substances, most commonly fentanyl, and have an inconsistent dosage of alprazolam, which can lead to overdose or death.

Different generic alprazolam pills look different because they are produced by various pharmaceutical manufacturers. The FDA does not regulate color-coding for generic medications, allowing companies to use unique colors, shapes, and imprints.

Unless it is a reputable and valid online pharmacy verified by your healthcare provider, it is highly unsafe to purchase medication from online sources. Fraudulent sites often sell counterfeit, contaminated, or illegally manufactured drugs.