South Australian authorities issue warning about deadly synthetic opioid found in illicit drugs

An Adelaide man nearly died after taking an illicit drug with large amounts of a synthetic opioid, prompting health authorities to issue a warning.

SA Health found protonitazene in the man’s toxicology report when he was rushed to hospital after consuming a single street-bought oxycodone pill.

Royal Adelaide Hospital duty emergency physician and clinical toxicologist, Associate Professor Sam Alfred said the man was “extremely lucky” he was given an antidote in an ambulance before his symptoms escalated.

He said protonitazene poisoning can lead to reduced respiratory rate until patients’ “stop breathing and die”.

SA Health is warning the public to beware of taking non-prescription medication because it is impossible to know where the drugs have come from and what they contain.

Oxycodone pills potentially with protonitazene are coloured white, blue or pink, and have a number printed on them, Alfred said.

Even in low doses, protonitazene can lead to life-threatening poisoning incident.

“Avoid these tablets at all costs. If people are experimenting with them, my equally strong recommendation (is) do it with someone who can watch you,” he said.

Protonitazene has also been found in street-bought illicit drugs, such as cocaine, in other states around Australia.

A nasal spray that temporarily reverses opioid poisoning, known as naloxone, can be found in all pharmacies without a prescription in the case of an emergency.

Alfred said multiple doses of naloxone could be required to reverse symptoms.

He said recreational drug users should have naloxone in their possession in case of an emergency.