Clinical safety alerts

Current clinical safety alerts for health professionals regarding drugs used illicitly. Please also refer to Public Drug Warnings and NSW Health Safety Alerts Broadcast System.

2024

Nitazenes causing severe opioid overdoses in NSW [Issued 30 May 2024]
Counterfeit diazepam found in NSW [Issued 16 May 2024]

2023

Cases of harm linked to strong opioids (nitazenes) in refillable vape (e-cigarette) liquids [Issued 7 November 2023]
Composition of counterfeit alprazolam in NSW [Issued 3 November 2023]
Illicit cocaine containing high levels of lidocaine (lignocaine) [Issued 4 May 2023]

2022

Strong opioids detected in counterfeit 'Kalma' tablets [Issued 26 August 2022]
Unregistered benzodiazepines and counterfeit alprazolam products [Issued 1 August 2022, superseded 3 November 2023]

2021

Illicit cocaine containing high levels of lidocaine (lignocaine) [Issued 13 August 2021, superseded 4 May 2023]
25C-NBOMe toxicity in patients who used powder thought to be MDMA [Issued 2 July 2021]
Illicit cocaine containing strong opioids [Issued 14 May 2021]

2020

Heroin and cocaine containing fentanyl and acetylfentanyl [Issued 26 November 2020]
Acetylfentanyl and fentanyl in non-opioid illicit drugs [Issued 16 October 2020]
Illicit supply of counterfeit alprazolam [Issued 16 July 2020, updated 9 September 2020, superseded 1 August 2022]
Acetylfentanyl Clinical Alert [Issued 21 February 2020]

2019

Carfentanil Safety Alert [Issued 12 December 2019]

Current as at: Thursday 30 May 2024

Contact page owner: Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs