Strong opioids have been discovered in fake Kalma alprazolam tablets circulating in New South Wales, sparking an urgent health warning over the serious risks to the community.
NSW Health is warning the tablets – which are white, rectangular shaped and marked AL on one side and G2 on the other – contained strong opioids including etodesnitazene, which has a similar potency to fentanyl.
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Another synthetic opioid (O-desmethyltramadol) was also found in the drugs.
NSW Poisons Information Centre acting medical director Andrew Dawson warned consuming even a single tablet containing strong opioids could cause unexpected and severe overdose or death.
“Overdose can cause difficulty speaking or walking, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slow breathing, snoring and skin turning blue,” he said.
The risk is significantly higher if tablets are consumed in combination with benzodiazepines – commonly called benzos – and alcohol.
Using drugs while alone and taking a higher dose also increases the risk of harm.
The fake Kalma tablets are more likely to be rectangular in shape, as opposed to the prescribed tablets from pharmacies, which are oval.
The tablets are white, rectangular shaped and marked AL on one side and G2 on the other. Credit: NSW HealthDawson urged anyone who has taken an unknown tablet and is experiencing unexpected symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.
“You won’t get into trouble for seeking medical care,” he said.
“If you feel unwell, or if your friend feels unwell, do something about it.
“Don’t ignore it. Don’t wait.”
They should also take naxolone, a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of opioids.
Naxolone is available free to anyone at risk of opioid overdose in NSW and can be used as a nasal spray or injection from some pharmacies.
For more information on the potential adverse effects of opioids, contact the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
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