A potentially deadly synthetic opioid has been detected for the first time in South Australia with two people treated in hospital.
SA Health said toxicology screening on the patients this week detected the presence of Protonitazene.
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It said the cases suggested the drug might be contaminating other illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine.
Individuals exposed to Protonitazene are at a high risk of opioid poisoning, and the drug can produce life-threatening toxic effects at low doses.
Royal Adelaide Hospital emergency physician and clinical toxicologist Sam Alfred said Protonitazene was capable of causing an overdose that could be fatal.
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"There is currently a major concern that this drug is mixed with other illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine, and that people may be accidentally exposed to it," he said.
"In this context, overdose is highly likely and death may occur."
