NSW Health Issues Warning on Fake Oxycodone With Nitazenes

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Dangerous fake oxycodone tablets containing deadly nitazenes have been found circulating throughout NSW.

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These counterfeit pills can be hundreds of times stronger than real oxycodone, putting users at extreme risk of fatal overdose.

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The fake tablets are green, round, marked with 'OC' on the front and '80' on the back, and lack the film coating found on genuine pills.

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Real pharmacy oxycodone (OxyContin) now comes marked with 'ON' instead of 'OC' and has a protective film coating.

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"Nitazenes are extremely potent and can vary widely in their strength," warns NSW Poisons Information Centre Medical Director Dr. Darren Roberts.

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Watch for overdose signs: pin-point pupils, severe drowsiness, slow breathing, and skin turning blue-gray.

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These powerful nitazenes last longer in the body than oxycodone and naloxone, often requiring multiple doses of naloxone and hospital care.

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Health officials have also discovered nitazenes in fake benzodiazepines and substances sold as heroin or MDMA.

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Free take-home naloxone can be obtained from pharmacies, health services, or mailed discreetly by NUAA (call 02 9171 6650).

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Anyone experiencing overdose symptoms should call Triple Zero (000) immediately – you won't get in trouble for seeking help.

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[{"selector":"#anim-1ab8ad48-4d24-4d21-83d3-ddbe891fcbad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-123b4ec3-9d0e-405f-9d6f-dcadedd03ec9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-714a093f-6ab7-43b1-9f1a-e0ff016c4e78","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-702b9803-3561-47b9-9936-2b80e28ee191","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-018a259f-fa71-48b9-8111-0bcb8f1af08c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Toxic Metals Detected in 41 Baby Formulas—Nearly Half at Risk Learn more