A round light yellow pressed pill and a small white capsule were both expected to contain diazepam.  The light yellow pressed pill features a break-line and DZ 5 press on one side. Both of these samples were found to contain the novel benzodiazepine, bromazolam.

What does this mean? There may be other counterfeits that vary in appearance in circulation.  Genuine diazepam tablets are dispensed from pharmacies and cannot be purchased online.

Effects? Serious harm has been reported from community members in relation to these samples. Bromazolam is a new benzodiazepine which has strong sedative effects. There is limited information about the effects of Bromazolam and it has not been used in human trials. Mixing of any kind of benzo with other depressant drugs (like alcohol, opioids, GHB etc) increases the risk of harms like loss of consciousness and central nervous system depression.

Reducing the harm

Test your stuff! Some counterfeit pharmaceuticals can look very convincing and even be in ‘branded’ blister packs or packaging that appears authentic. Genuine pharmaceuticals are only dispensed from pharmacies and cannot be purchased online. Come and see us at CanTEST for testing in Canberra.

Start low, go slow. Take half or less and ask a trusted person to check on you. Experiencing adverse or unexpected effects? Don’t take more.

Carry naloxone. Naloxone does not reverse a benzodiazepine overdose, only opioid overdoses, but it will not cause any harm to use naloxone if you are a first responder to a potential overdose and you suspect an opioid is onboard.

Be alert for signs of an overdose. Learn CPR and how to place someone in the recovery position to protect their airway. Think someone has overdosed? Call 000 for an ambulance.