Community Alert: Highly Potent Nitazenes Linked to Severe Opioid Overdoses
NSW Health has issued a warning about the dangers of nitazenes after two individuals were hospitalized in New South Wales for severe opioid overdoses. These incidents involved counterfeit oxycodone tablets, described as yellow, unmarked round pills labeled as “OxyContin 40 mg.”
Nitazenes are synthetic opioids significantly more potent than oxycodone, posing a high risk of respiratory failure or death. Dr. Darren Roberts, Medical Director at the NSW Poisons Information Centre, emphasized the unpredictability and extreme potency of nitazenes, which can vary widely even within the same batch due to their illicit and unregulated nature.
Opioid overdoses often present with symptoms such as pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, and bluish or grey skin tones. These symptoms can escalate rapidly, making awareness and timely intervention critical.
NSW Health strongly recommends that individuals who use illicit drugs carry naloxone, a life-saving treatment capable of temporarily reversing opioid overdoses. However, nitazenes can linger longer in the body, requiring repeated doses of naloxone and immediate medical care. Calling Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance is essential when naloxone is administered.
The warning also highlights that nitazenes have been detected in vapes and counterfeit tablets, including benzodiazepines, heroin, and MDMA. NSW Health stresses the importance of vigilance and seeking help promptly for anyone feeling unwell after drug use.