A new psychoactive substance which represents a high risk of overdose is in circulation in the National Capital, warns Quebec public health.
Fake oxycodone or oxy tablets are in circulation on the streets of the Capitale-Nationale region. Sporting a greenish tint and marked with “80/OP”, they are designed to imitate Oxycontin 80 mg tablets.
However, the tablets analyzed in the laboratory contain protonitazepyne, a synthetic opioid approximately 25 times more powerful than fentanyl. Consumption of these tablets poses a high risk of overdose.
Several similar tablets are said to be in circulation in the region. Without having them tested, it is impossible to know their composition, warns the Public Health Department of the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. This substance has also been detected in Montreal and its surrounding areas on several occasions since the beginning of 2024.
In the event of overdoses, several doses of naloxone may be necessary, indicates public health. So far, no overdose with these tablets has been reported in Quebec.
Naloxone kits, a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, are available free of charge in community pharmacies, emergency rooms and around ten community organizations.