A BLUE PILL with an ‘M’ press on the front and a ’30’ with a score mark on the rear, expected to contain oxycodone, was instead found to contain the novel synthetic opioid protonitazene. No oxycodone was detected.

What does this mean?

Protonitazene is significantly stronger than fentanyl. This is the fifth nitazene-related community notice that CanTEST has issued since service commmenced in 2022. Nitazenes have been detected with increasing frequency in several parts of Australia, and in various forms. Any type of drug sourced from the unregulated market (including convincing looking counterfeit pharmaceuticals) may contain nitazenes or other dangerous substances.

Effects

All nitazenes carry a risk of fatal overdose. There is no safe way to use them. Nitazenes are known to cause an opioid-like overdose (lowered/loss of consciousness, breathing slowly or not at all, tiny/pinpoint pupils, discoloured lips/nails, cold or clammy skin, choking/coughing/gurgling or snoring sounds are all potential signs). Nitazenes can cause multiple overdoses over time and people who experience a nitazene overdose require ongoing monitoring.

Test your stuff!

Always assume that your drugs may not be what you expect.

Some counterfeit pharmaceuticals can look very convincing andeven be in ‘branded’ blister packs or packaging that appears authentic. Genuine pharmaceuticals are only dispensed from pharmacies. come and see us at Can TEST – we are a free, confidential harm reduction service.

Naloxone can reverse a protonitazene overdose, but several doses may be required. Never use alone and keep naloxone on hand. Search ‘Take Home Naloxone‘ to get locations for free naloxone anywhere in Australia. You can get Nyxoid nasal spray naloxone for free from CanTEST.

Responding to an overdose.

Always call 000 immediately {even if you have and use naloxone). Learn first aid and CPR. Because opioid overdoses first affect a person’s breathing, rescue breaths are an important consideration when responding to a suspected opioid overdose.