Last Friday, fake oxycodone pills have been found in the procession of a deceased person. These pills had been purchased online as pain medication without a doctor’s prescription. Analysis by the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) has shown that these pills contain the nitazene isotonitazepyne. They do NOT contain oxycodone. The use of fake oxycodone pills can be life-threatening because they may contain nitazenes. The Drugs Information and Monitoring System (DIMS) recently detected protonitazene in a counterfeit oxycodone pill that was also purchased online.
Higher risk of overdose when using nitazenes
Isotonitazepyne and other nitazenes are synthetic opioid painkillers that are much stronger than fentanyl, oxycodone, or morphine. In addition, nitazenes have a much longer duration of action compared to many other powerful synthetic opioid painkillers.
As a result, the risk of overdose is significantly increased. Just a few milligrams can already cause serious health risks, such as breathing difficulties, which can lead to death.
Seek medical help if someone feels unwell
If someone becomes unwell after using oxycodone, immediately call emergency medical services. Dial 112, state that synthetic opioid painkillers are involved, and request naloxone. Naloxone is administered in cases of overdose with synthetic opioid painkillers.
Do not use oxycodone purchased online
Using medications purchased online, such as oxycodone, can have severe health consequences. For more information, visit Online medicijnen | Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd (Dutch)
Do you have questions about using oxycodone?
Do you use (pain) medication that you have purchased online? Discuss this with your (family) doctor.
Do you have questions about drug use or are you concerned about yourself or someone else? Call the Drugs Information Line at 0900-1995 or visit http://www.drugsinfo.nl.