NSW - Public drug warning: Non-pharmaceutical grade (counterfeit) alprazolam tablets containing etizolam
Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod//public-drug-alerts/Pages/counterfeit-alprazolam-etizolam.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.
Warning
Non-pharmaceutical grade (counterfeit) alprazolam tablets containing etizolam are about.
These tablets are not pharmaceutical grade and can have widely variable doses. The tablets have been illegally sold online or on the street as "Xanax" or "Mylan" (alprazolam), but they contain etizolam.
Etizolam has similar effects to other benzodiazepines but is not used medically in Australia. Taking these tablets can result in unexpected and severe health effects, especially if multiple tablets are taken together or over a short period.
Four people have been recently confirmed to have experienced serious harm in association with etizolam use in New South Wales (NSW).
The tablets have variable appearance and can look like other medicines.
These tablets contain etizolam only but are marked as branded alprazolam medications from overseas.
Avoid consumption of these tablets
Adverse effects may include unexpectedly pronounced effects like prolonged sleepiness, agitation or loss of consciousness.
Seek help immediately if you have consumed this tablet or experience adverse effects from an alprazolam tablet you purchased online or from the street.
Seek help from your nearest emergency department, call Triple Zero (000) for emergency assistance, or phone the NSW Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).
Media release
Warnings over counterfeit benzodiazepines [12 December 2019]
Current as at: Thursday 12 December 2019
Contact page owner: Centre for Population Health