'Red Bull' logo red/orange rectangular tablets sold as MDMA (ecstasy) found to contain a nitazene (potent opioid) and no MDMA

'Red Bull' tablets sold as MDMA (ecstasy) caused multiple hospitalisations in Sydney last weekend. Analysis of one tablet identified a potent opioid (a nitazene) and no MDMA

Tablet appearance is not a reliable indicator of drug contents.

K​n​​ow the risks​​​ 

• Nitazenes can be as strong as, or stronger than fentanyl and cause slow breathing or death.
• Naloxone can temporarily reverse an overdose from opioids, such as nitazenes. Higher doses of naloxone may be required to reverse nitazene overdose.
• You are at increased risk of harm if you:
  • Use drugs when you are alone.
  • Take opioids for the first time, or again after a break.
  • Mix different drugs. Alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids are very dangerous to combine.
• Fentanyl test strips are unable to detect these nitazene opioids.
• Nitazene use has been linked to death and other serious harms.
• Exercise extreme caution with 'Red Bull' tablets. 'Red Bull' tablets have also been found to contain multiple other substances in the past 12 months.

Effects to look out for

• Opioid overdose symptoms include any of:
  • pin-point pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness
  • slow breathing/snoring and skin turning blue or grey.
• If you or others experience these symptoms after taking drugs, get help immediately.

Getting help

If you or your friends see the warning signs of overdose:

• Seek help immediately from your nearest emergency department or call Triple Zero (000). You won’t get into trouble for seeking medical care.
• Start CPR if someone is not breathing.
• Use naloxone if you have it. Call ‘000’ even if naloxone has been given.

Support and advice

For free and confidential advice:

• Call Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015 at any time 24/7. Start a Web Chat with an ADIS counsellor Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm.
• Call NUAA on 1800 644 413 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) to speak to a peer or visit NUAA for a range of resources on opioids and naloxone.
• Call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for information on adverse effects from drugs.
• Visit Your Room for fact sheets and other resources.

Take Home Naloxone program

If you use any drugs you should carry naloxone. Drugs sold as cocaine and MDMA have been found to contain opioids.     

• Naloxone is an easy to use, life-sav​ing medicine that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. People at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose or who may witness an overdose can get naloxone for free without a prescription from some NSW community pharmacies, NSW Health needle and syringe programs, opioid treatment services and NUAA.
• Visit Your R​oom for participating sites and more information on take-home naloxone.
• NUAA can mail you naloxone for free in a discreet package. Order via their online shop or call (02) 8354 7343.

Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/public-drug-alerts/Pages/nitazenes-mdma-red-bull-Jan24.aspx

Emergency: If you are experiencing an emergency, please call an ambulance on 000, or if you need to speak to someone urgently please call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.