NSW Health has issued a public warning that cocaine being circulated around the community has been found to include heroin and large amounts of the deadly drug lidocaine.
In a statement, NSW Health said lidocaine had recently been associated with two deaths in NSW related to cocaine use, and police drug seizures had found high levels of lidocaine in cocaine.
“Lidocaine (lignocaine) is a local anaesthetic commonly used to cut cocaine,” NSW Health said.
“Lidocaine in high doses can stop your heart beating (cardiac arrest),” it said.
“Lidocaine results in numbness similar to cocaine.”
NSW Health said heroin could cause a rapid and life-threatening overdose, even in a single line of powder.
The Agency said people were at increased risk of overdose if they continued to use when they were not getting the desired effect; used a high dose; used with other drugs, including alcohol, benzodiazepines, ketamine, GHB and opioids; and used drugs when they were alone.
It said cocaine users should be on the lookout for no effect or unexpected effects and should be aware that heroin could cause drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slow or difficult breathing and skin turning blue, while lidocaine could cause dizziness, seizures, coma and cardiac arrest.
NSW Health said people should seek help immediately from their nearest emergency department or call ‘000’ if they recognised the warning signs of an overdose.
“People who use cocaine should consider carrying naloxone, as should people who use opioids,” it said.
“There are increasing cases of opioids found unexpectedly in illicit drugs.”
NSW Health said naloxone was a life-saving medication that reversed the effects of opioids like heroin; did not require a prescription; was free for anyone at risk of opioid overdose in NSW; and was available as a nasal spray or injection from some pharmacies and other health services.
