26 September 2023

Warnings over Fentanyl risk in Sydney

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NSW Health is warning of the potentially fatal risk of fentanyl-related substances currently circulating in Sydney.

Clinical Director of NSW Poisons Information Centre and Clinical Professor in Addiction Medicine at the University of Sydney, Andrew Dawson said acetyl-fentanyl had recently been identified in people who believed they were using cocaine or other stimulants.

“Fentanyl is a strong opioid that is used for a range of health issues, primarily management of severe pain,” Professor Dawson said.

“Acetyl-fentanyl is similar to fentanyl and has similar effects, but is not used medically,” he said.

“Acetyl-fentanyl can cause life-threatening effects if taken unknowingly”

Professor Dawson said the NSW Poisons Information Centre had seen several people recently where acetyl-fentanyl had been taken unknowingly and was associated with serious harm.

“Substances containing acetyl-fentanyl are not pharmaceutical grade and, as a result, can have widely variable doses and effects,” he said.

“The severity of effects will depend on the dose of acetyl-fentanyl within a particular substance, how much people consume and whether they regularly consume other opioids”

Professor Dawson said anyone who had taken a substance and was experiencing side effects should call Triple Zero immediately or seek urgent medical attention.

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