Dangerous opioid protonitazene could be contaminating other illegal drugs, SA Health warns after man nearly dies

An SA man had to be resuscitated after ingesting a street-bought pill that was contaminated with a frightening new synthetic opioid 100 times more powerful than heroin.

An Adelaide man has almost died after taking a street-bought oxycodone pill believed to have been contaminated with a dangerous synthetic opioid, sparking warnings from South Australia’s health authorities.

Staff at the Royal Adelaide Hospital had to resuscitate the man after he consumed the oxycodone pill.

He was later discharged but a toxicology screening found that a large amount of protonitazene – a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than fentanyl and 100 times more potent than heroin – was in the in the man after he consumed just one oxycodone pill.

An Adelaide man had to be resuscitated after taking a street-bought oxycodone pill believed to contain protonitazene. Picture: File photo

SA Health said this suggests that the lethal opioid could be contaminating other illicit drugs such as oxycodone and methamphetamine.

“The danger of taking any type of non-prescription medication is it is impossible to know where it has come from, what is in it and at what dose, and what (effect) it will have on the individual who takes it,” the agency said in a statement.

Last year, an Adelaide man died and at least three people were hospitalised after they overdosed on protonitazene.

Authorities say even a small dose of the drug can have life-threatening toxic effects.

The new opiod was first detected in South Australia last July and has since been found with “increasing frequency”, SA Health earlier said.

In May, police and border authorities said smugglers were increasingly trying to bring nitazene into Australia. The opioid has also been found in other states, including Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.

RAH doctor and toxicologist Sam Alfred even a small amount of the opioid “is capable of causing an overdose which could be fatal”.

“We are issuing a strong warning today of the effects of protonitazene,” he said.

“There is a major concern that this drug is being mixed with other illicit drugs, such as oxycodone in quantities which have a significant risk of death.”

Authorities warn that those who are not regular opiate users are especially at risk.

“Symptoms of using protonitazene include pinpoint pupils and shallow breathing. Severe toxicity causes respiratory failure, coma and death,” SA Health said.

Anyone who has ingested protonitazene can take naloxone to reverse the effects.

“The national Take Home Naloxone Program makes naloxone, a lifesaving medicine that quickly reverses the adverse effects of opioids, available for free and without a prescription,” said Associate Professor Alfred.

SA Health urges anyone who has taken illegal drugs and experiencing symptoms to call triple-0 or go to the closest emergency department.