NUAA is asking the community to stay alert for high dose MDMA (ecstasy) tablets

These tablets contain nearly twice the average amount usually contained in MDMA pills circulating in NSW. The tablets have the “Punisher” logo stamped on the front and come in various colours.

Purple tablets may contain 197mg. Blue tablets can contain 180mg of MDMA.

*Tablet appearance is not a reliable indicator of drug contents

High doses of MDMA in hot weather can be fatal. Always start low and go slow

What to look out for?

• Feeling really hot and sweaty
• Racing pulse/heart or lightheadedness
• Rigid muscles (e.g. difficulty walking)
• Uncontrolled repetitive movements
• Confusion, agitation, paranoia, or aggression.
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Difficult to rouse/unconscious

Call 000 immediately or seek urgent medical attention

What are the risks?

• Taking MDMA increases the level of serotonin available in your brain, which is what gives the drug it’s ‘feel-good’ effects.
• Too much serotonin available in your brain can be harmful, and lead to Serotonin Syndrome.
• Serotonin Syndrome can be fatal, and has been a factor in some of the MDMA-related deaths at NSW music festivals.

Reduce your risk factors

You can reduce risk by avoiding:

• redosing too often, or taking multiple MDMA tablets at once.
• rolling with other stimulants (e.g. methamphetamine, cocaine and caffeine).
• using MDMA with anti-depressants.
• taking MDMA in hot environments (e.g. music festivals, raves, indoor dance parties).

Call 000 if something is wrong.

MDMA Dosing

• A standard dose for most people is between 70mg and 125mg. Dosage and effects will also vary due to body weight, tolerance, and other factors.
• MDMA can take up to 2 hours to kick in. Taking more is not a guaranteed way to make the effects kick in faster or improve your high.
• If the effects feel off: do not redose, seek medical assistance. Your gear might not be what you think it is.

If something is wrong, call for help.

Call triple zero (000).

Start CPR if someone is not breathing.

If they are breathing, put them in the recovery position (on their side).

More information

Stay up to date with drug alerts and peer-led harm reduction information by following NUAA & DanceWize NSW on social media.

If you want non-judgmental support from an experienced member of the drug-using community, contact PeerLine on 1800 644 413

See NSW Health’s official Drug Alert/Public Drug Warning at health.nsw.gov.au/aod/public-drug-alerts/.