Protonitazene was found in a counterfeit oxycodone pill, which was bought in Canberra. Photo: CanTEST.
CanTEST has issued two red alerts in four days after detections of potentially deadly synthetic opioids, including one which is estimated to be 200 times stronger than morphine.
A client visited the fixed pill testing site with a crushed white pill – reportedly a Xanax bar – which was expected to contain the sedative alprazolam (which is not readily available from Australian pharmacies).
“However, testing identified a combination of alprazolam, bromazolam, diazepam, and the potent synthetic opioid protonitazene,” a CanTEST alert from 3 June read.
“The pill was sourced locally (ACT region).”
Protonitazene belongs to the nitazene family, which are potent synthetic opioids.
This type is estimated to be more than 200 times stronger than morphine.
Alprazolam, bromazolam and diazepam are all benzodiazepines, sedatives that vary widely in strength, onset and duration.
“When mixed with opioids, they significantly increase the risk of depressant overdose,” the alert read.
The other detection was on 31 May, where protonitazene was found in a pill that was expected to contain oxycodone.
This time it was in a crushed partial blue pill with an ‘M’ press on one side and a number – either 80 or 30 – on the other.
“No oxycodone was detected,” the alert read.
“The pill, which appeared poorly pressed, was sourced locally (ACT region).”
The community has been urged to always assume that drugs may not be what was bought or expected.
“Some counterfeit pharmaceuticals can look very convincing and even be in ‘branded’ blister packs,” CanTEST advised.
“Genuine pharmaceuticals are only dispensed from pharmacies.
“Nitazenes are turning up more often in pills, powders and counterfeit medications across Australia.”
Several sedatives and a nitazene variant were found in a Xanax bar bought in Canberra. Photo: CanTEST.
Naloxone can reverse a protonitazene overdose, but several doses may be needed.
Nyxoid nasal spray can be obtained free of charge from CanTEST.
People are advised to call Triple Zero (000) if they think an overdose is occurring, even if naxolone has been administered.
“Learn first aid and CPR,” CanTEST advised.
“Because opioid overdoses first affect a person’s breathing, rescue breaths are important when responding to a suspected opioid overdose.”
CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service is open every Thursday from 3 pm to 6 pm and every Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm.
